Ileostomy

Me at 90lbs a month before the ileostomy surgery (2004)

Hopefully you won't get to this point but here's what I ate during my 3 months with an ileostomy.

Good Food

cranberry juice
grape juice (cleans out intestinal blockages)
high sodium food (normally absorbed in the large intestine)
high potassium food - bananas, orange juice, apricot juice, grapefruit juice, squash, potatoes, tomato sauce, smooth peanut butter (normally absorbed in the large intestine)

Bad Food

Veggie chips
pizza crust (causes blockage)
calzone (causes blockage)
scrambled eggs/omelets (will make the bag fill with gas)
mushrooms
corn
nuts
high fiber/gassy foods

Notes

You are more likely to get intestinal blockages which are incredibly painful during the ileostomy and months right after the J-pouch reconnective surgery. Drinking grape juice and taking a warm bath can remove an intestinal blockage. If it doesn't go away within an hour you need to get to an ER.
You will probably have to empty the bag at least once during the night
Don't roll over and lay on the bag during sleep, it may burst!
Try not to eat a couple hours before sleep
Make sure to drink plenty of water and take plenty of potassium/sodium. These are normally absorbed in the large intestine.
Get a doctor's note before flying and attempting to bring the ileostomy scissors/kit on a plane.
The stoma may change in size over time; make sure to check the size of it when you change the bag. If the hole in the bag for it is too large your skin may get irritated/burned.

Colitis Information

Main Page
What is Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative Colitis
Ileostomy
J-Pouch

1 Comment

Sharry

Some of the tips I've learned with my illiostomy....

*When empting the pouch, place a few squares of toilet paper flat in the toilet so it floats ontop of the watr. This will prevent "splash back" from the droppings. 
**Carry a small Glade air freshener spray in your coat pocket.

These seem to make my life a little easier.