surgery date set; Qs about post op foods/supplies

Will there be someone to help around the house? Get a little pillow that you can prop on your tummy for sneezes/coughs.

One thing I always notice is that I get unbelievable cravings as soon as I can eat...so maybe plan a few salty/sweet items that you'd have on hand in case that happens. I'd have some broth based soups, too. Potato Buds are an easy output thickener and soft for post op. Sweetened drinks are best if you cut them with water...the sugar in them can usually increase output.

As far as your supplies go, your stoma will be changing a little during the first month or so, so you don't want to stock up on too many items...Have your stoma nurse call the supply company you'll be using...they can usually call the order in and it will be mailed directly to you. They'll send you home with a few changes, tho. If you need anything special in regards to medical supplies they can order those too.

I am sure there will be others coming along...we've all got our little ways:)

Lesa-did they tell you to use gloves, or was that just your choice?

I dont use gloves that was why i was asking.

tkctwbd-you might wanna stay away from the peanut butter, at least for now! the last thing you want is salmonella on top of a new ileo!
anyway you may want to get a lot of different things to eat, some things will give you gas at first, and you will need to have different things to try.
I drank a ton of fruit punch at first, and ate cheese ravoli, i dont know why but that was all i could stand to eat.
also crackers and potatoes and bread are good to thicken and slow your output.
Buy some gas-x and keep it on hand, you may want to use it gas can be awful at first!
You might want a heating pad, your back will probaby hurt, and that will be helpful.
Supplies are ordered off the internet through a company, i use edgepark,, it depends on your insurace though. Your stoma will change, like they said, i get the kind that you have to cut yoursefl so it didnt really matter to me. Some people choose to get ones that come cut for their stoma size but dont do that at first.
You may want some ziploc bags for disposing of the used stuff. get some clorox wipes or alcohol wipes (i use those, much cheaper and it still kills the germs!) because you are most likely gonna make a mess the frist couple of times you empty your bag, dont worry you will get better at that. Well probably, i still get some on the seat sometimes, lol.
Hmmm i am trying to think of other things that can help, maybe some good movies to watch, if you have a video game console get some new games, ooo get rock band! rock band solves all problems!
no really, something like that would be good

I used glaves because I had so many infections and I felt cleaner when empyting the bag into the toilet. I also used the baby wipes to clean the end of the bag but they could not be flushed. just the system that work best for me.

Also, might want to get lots of blue gatorade. I drank several of those a day. Besr taste for me.

I got freaked out the other day. I eat beets. Wow a hour or so later i was freaking out when all this red came out.  I had to laugh when I realised it was not blod but beets! Ha!

I just googled ostomy supplies and found this: ActiveLife One-Piece Cut-to-Fit Closed-End Pouch with Skin Barrier and 1-sided comfort panel, Opaque, 19-50mm for ninety eight dollars!!!!!!!!! How can anyone afford these things??

Your age might determine how well you heal as well as your health. Here's some more thoughts. I have lots of supplies I don't need if you want them. I am glad I Had insurance. It cost about 58.00 for the wafers for 5 of them.One might go through 5 in a couple of weeks. I like the two peice. I never used the one peice. Notsure why anyone would. With the two peice you can change the bag only if it gets ucky or leaks. I had a couple pf bags leak/split. My nice husband put a trapez over my bed. He went to Home Depot and bought a childs swing set trapez and screwed it into the ceiling. I love it. I had very little gas with the bag and wafer. I used the bags with the filter It helped with filtering the gas and odor. Hollister has a nurse that can and will call and answer any questions and send you a CD on how to use and change. I also went on youtube and searched for ostomy and or ileostomy and I found three people who were changing their bags and watched them. I never did learn how to change my own. My husband is a nurse and he did it for me for 4 months while I had my ostomy. The heavy duty bags can last for 4-7 days. so they are worth it. Some people buy the cheaper ones and change everyday.   

Don't request any supplies until you've had your surgery...one is never sure the stoma they will get!!! Once your nurse checks it out and you swelling has gone down...order some from EVERY company! Go to UOAA.org (united ostomy assoc of america) and go to their Ostomy button...scroll to the bottom and all the major companies are listed with phone # and web address...couldn't be simpler:) I'm a two piece person, easier to see hole to apply and the ability to change the pouch only.

I didn't have a problem with my bottom and sitting so you'll have to see what you can tolerate.

I know Ensure is the best thing as far as nutrition and all, but I just don't care for the taste of it. My substitution for it is carnation istant breakfast drink with whole milk. Lots of vitamins, easier to store and lots of calories -- good for you. I drank it with my meals for a while. AND, it does make really good hot chocolate. If you put it in a place container and pop it in the freezer for a little bit, then shake it up, almost like a milkshake. Sorry, rambling.

One thing that I wanted to be sure to mention was that to help you from dehydrating post surgery, increasing your sodium intake is beneficial, esp. if you are having some high output. But keep in mind, only do this if you don't have other health issues it might interfere with-check with your doctor.

Some of the items I always keep on hand in my pantry (long keeping, easy to make and cheap) are mac and cheese, rice a roni, chicken/hamburger helper, those seasoned noodles in pouches like butter/parsley, alfredo, parmesan (do you know what I mean?); corn muffin mixes, ramen noodles, all kinds of pastas. Lots of canned items you can try, even canned fruit like peaches --- just chew very well, eat small portions to start with maybe for dessert after you've eaten other easy-to-digest foods. You will be surprised at how good food will taste when it no longer causes you Pain!! And yes, I wanted everything, so try to have some things on hand that you can't eat right now that you really like. I think you'll be surprised!

Drink lots of fluids. You might want to have some electrolyte replacement drinks on hand. I cut them with water... not as sugary and they last longer (cheaper). One of the drinks that I have been hooked on for a couple of years is Black Cherry/Cranberry Juice. I buy it at Walmart but it is Sam's Choice brand on the shelf by the gallon jug. Yes, it has sugar in it and is way toooo sweet for me BUT I cut it with water (2/3 water, 1/3 juice). I just use water bottles. TASTEEEE! And you don't have to worry about excess sugar, it has some nutritional value, and it isn't too expensive when adding the water. I just love it. Yeh, it is red in color but for some reason, it does NOT turn my output red at all. Now, red jello will. Jellos and pudding are good to have on hand btw. Just thought of something else - watch drinking any grape or apple juices. For me, they increase my output.

Gosh.... I'm really rambling on here. I'll let some others post on this one.....


I'm sure that we all will keep adding to this post.