Aim to drink 2 litres (6 – 8 glasses) of fluid per day. Take a gentle stool softener or fibre supplement. If 2 – 3 days pass with no bowel action, check with your Stomal Therapy Nurse or doctor.
The patient may experience considerable pain after surgery as the anus tightens and relaxes. Medications to relieve pain may be used. To avoid straining, stool softeners will be used. Avoid any straining during bowel movement or urination.
Eating more fibre-containing foods can help to prevent constipation. Try to increase the amount of fibre by choosing: wholemeal (rather than white) bread or pasta; whole grain cereals e.g. Weetabix, porridge; and more fruit and vegetables. It is best to make these changes gradually to avoid problems with wind.
A colostomy may make you more prone to constipation or diarrhea. It's important to get enough fiber in your diet and drink plenty of water to prevent these problems. Some people experience a small amount of stool leakage between irrigations.
Constipation may occur in people who have a colostomy but wherever possible it is crucial this is treated with an increase in fluid intake or dietary fibre as opposed to using laxatives.
For colostomy patients, who may have constipation, it is advised for them to first try to increase fluid intake and dietary fibre. However, if this has little to no effect, a bulk-forming laxative (e.g. ispaghula husk) can be used.
Foods that help naturally with constipation include bran, fresh vegetables, fruits (fresh and dried) and whole grains.
Water is the best for hydrating, however, some fruit juices such as prune, apple and grape are effective at loosening stool. Make sure that you eat plenty of fibre. High fibre foods, including whole grains, fruits and vegetables will help to ensure that your stool is optimal to safely pass through the stoma.
Immediately after your surgery, your anus may continue to expel poop and other fluids that were left inside. But new poop will now exit through your stoma. Most people will be able to feel their bowels move and know when poop is about to come out. But you won't be able to control it anymore.
Choose fresh fruit juices in addition to water and hot tea. Sometimes carbonated drinks may help. Gently massage around your stoma to try to encourage the blockage to work its way out. Have hot bath or try using a heat pad, as this may help your abdominal muscles relax so you can pass a bowel movement.
As mentioned above, the most obvious sign of bowel obstruction is that the stoma output slows down or may even stop altogether. For people with a colostomy, a blockage could happen over several days and may start with signs of constipation.
You also can use odour-proof ostomy bags or special deodorants for the bags. If gas is a problem, limit or avoid beans, cabbage, onions, beer, carbonated drinks, strong cheese (like aged chesses or blue cheese), coffee, spinach, raw fruits, and sprouts. Avoid using straws when you drink.
Do not take any type of laxative: if you have signs of appendicitis or inflamed bowel (such as stomach or lower abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, soreness, nausea, or vomiting).
Keeping hydrated with an ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy
You should try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day along with any other drinks such as tea or coffee. Top tips to keep hydrated would be: In warmer weather if you are perspiring more you will need to drink more water.
A small stoma bag during their waking hours, when it can be changed as needed. For example, one which can hold around 400 ml of waste.
Colostomy gas is different from regular flatulent emissions (farts). While you may be able to control a regular fart with rectal sphincter control, you cannot control when your colostomy releases gas. Nobody wants to release noisy gas or odors at the wrong time.
Stool Consistency
The ostomy appliance might need to be emptied a few to several times a day. The large intestine is where water is absorbed from stool, which helps to make the stool thicker. The more of the large intestine that is intact, the more formed the stools may be.
When the large bowel has been removed the small bowel must adapt to absorb more fluid, which it is not as effective at doing (this will improve over time). This means output from your stoma can increase.
A change in output from your stoma could contribute to sore skin. If you experience loose stools, you may find it helpful to temporarily use a drainable bag or a high output bag to prevent frequent bag changes, which can result in sore skin.
Food options for people recovering from a colostomy include: non-fat or low-fat skimmed milk. lactose-free dairy products. yogurt.
A good colostomy diet during the first few weeks after surgery may include yogurt (with live and active cultures). However, not all dairy produce will be allowed. Other foods that colostomy patients tolerate well are bananas, tapioca, sticky white rice, and white toast.