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Is this safe to eat with an ileostomy?

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Posted 7/19/2010 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
I was wanting to try plain oatmeal but, I think it is rather fiberous and my doctor said low fiber, low residue diet. I need some more healthy choices to add to my diet. I am so scared of a blockage that I am reluctant to try new things. I just tried cold cereal, crunch berries actually, last night. I have yet to eat pasta because newshinycd had a blockage from it. LOL I also have not eaten any fruits or vegetables, even the yogurts with pieces of fruit in it, I have avoided.

I tried a tiny serving of potato salad last weekend, but when I read relish was to be avoided, I freaked out....I drank a ton of water to try and get the relish out. And the relish did come out, looked just the way that it looked going in. That scared me....

I drink water with every meal and I chew my food thoroughly.

Is it true that after having the ileostomy for a while, I will be able to eat more foods? I would like to try a cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, or a salad???

I know we are all different, but I was hoping somebody had some advice in regards to diet...Thanks, Tracy
Posted 7/19/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Tracy. I just had my ileostomy taken down this past Monday, but I had it from early May to this past Monday. I found that I didn't have any problems with Cream of Wheat. I, too, was reluctant to eat oatmeal, even though (strangely enough), I love it. While I was in the hospital recovering from the May operation, one of the choices I had was a cheeseburger. I didn't go for it because I didn't want to do too much dairy food as that made my ostomy run pretty well. You might want to check with a good dietary person, or an ostomy nurse to see what they recommend. I know I was always told that if I added anything, to make sure it was just a little at first and then only one thing at a time.

Good luck!
Posted 7/19/2010 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
I've been able to eat pasta lately now. Just had Chinese tonight, which was awesome. I didn't try oatmeal until last week, and I made sure that I drank water with it. Did fine. Cream of Wheat doesn't bother me.
I also had cheesecake earlier today and that was fine too. Corn dogs are also ok with me.

I think the real reason I got those blockages was because my intestines were probably still healing and probably cause I wasn't used to eating that kind of food. In fact before my surgery the only thing I was eating was pudding, jello, and other soft stuff.
Posted 7/19/2010 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
I am not sure about the oatmeal. I am assuming it will just come out looking the way it went in. I've been eating everything and anything including Bacon Cheeseburgers, french fries etc... Only thing I know I will avoid is things that are REALLY tough or like lettuce. Things that don't seem like they will break down.
Posted 7/19/2010 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Tracy~you should be able to tolerate the 'instant' versions without a problem just make it a little loser than normal...I just wouldn't get any flavors with fruit since it's dried and could be an issue early on (after your 6 weeks of low residue it shouldn't be a problem). Instant versions are well rolled to make them that way and it's not as bad as the kind you have to cook on the stove top.

Crunch Berries were my favorite right after surgery!! Love them:)

Keep a log and try things...like you said we are all different! Personally, I eat everything, without issues. To get to this point I tried all foods in small quantities and chewed well...If it didn't bother me I ate it again(and again!!). Just introduce one new food at a time so you know how your body reacts.

You will find that you may not have to drink all your liquids...once you vary your diet you will see that you get a lot of fluid from other forms...and you will slow down/thicken your output, too.

During your 6 weeks you can eat veggies in a can like green beans (don't try corn or peas yet) and peaches or pears (no fruit cocktail yet) in the containers are okay for most. Give pasta a try, just cook it a minute or two longer than the box says. You should be able to eat a cheeseburger now just don't put any veggies, pickles or onions on it yet! Chicken Nuggets should be okay, too, just don't try a salad until the 6 weeks are up and when you do try something like Boston Lettuce that isn't very rough.

A lot of foods come out the way they go in...it's not going to cause any harm...if it bothers you, don't look too close shocked
Posted 7/19/2010 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
when i first came home from the hospital all i ate was cheese ravoli, for like a week. I dont know why but that was all i wanted!
I think the main thing, with anything, is to chew it and drink lots of water!
A cheeseburger shouldnt cause a problem, just dont eat a bun with sesame seeds, cause those come out like they went in aand its gross, lol.
I cant think of anything about chicken nuggets that would make them dangerous.
And as for salad, wait a while, then try a tiny bit, without carrots or mushrooms or anything like that. Just lettuce basically. And maybe eat some bread with it, and drink ALOT of water.
And try not to worry about it so much!
Posted 7/19/2010 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the advice. It is good to know that soon I will be able to introduce more foods into my diet. I am such a worry wart. I drive myself nuts with all of my worrying.
Posted 7/19/2010 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Tracy....I ate a cheeseburger at my neighbor's party on Saturday. I didn't eat all of it...maybe 1/3 and I didn't eat the roll. I ate some potato salad but skimmed around the celery. Today we are going to get take out from Boston Market. Think I will get either turkey or chicken pot pie...mmmmm. I still crave cheese like crazy! Wonder why that is?
Do you take any vitamins?
My ostomy nurse was here today. The one that usually comes was off and I am glad because I don't think she knew any more than I do about ostomies..lol. The nurse who came today was super! I asked if she would come again on Thursday. She told me different things in addition to what was ordered from Hollister last week. She said I was doing really well. I still feel very fatigued though. I took 10 mgm of Ambien (generic form though) last night and maybe I should have just taken 5 mgm because today I feel like a semi-zombie. LOL! My heart rate is still a bit high and instead of taking Benicar (my blood pressure med), which lowers my blood pressure TOO much, I took Toprol, which I formerly took. I know that lowers the heart rate but now the nurse is going to rat me out to my doctor and he will probably have a **** fit because I did this on my own without going to him...oh well. I really shouldn't have taken it without his advice. Oh...and my Gyn doctor's office called and balled me out because I haven't been there in two years and they wouldn't give me a script for the yeast problem...ugh. I told them I had enough to deal with suffering with the UC for the past two years and having this major operation.
Posted 7/21/2010 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
It's been a month since my surgery and I have been almost eating everything. It was hard to get to this point though.
Posted 5/5/2021 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hello am scared to death with this and had my surgery the 8th of last month was discharged this past Friday. I am still not sure what to and not to eat. I have been eating rice krispies and scrambled eggs pears grilled chicken and white rice and wanna try peanut butter on a tortilla but am uncertain wanna try cheese pizza but am uncertain so please if anyone would please advise me I would appreciate it cause when you are doing all of this alone it's kinda overwhelming and depressing sure would appreciate any info please and thank you
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