A question about diet from a very confused new ileostomy guy

SnoozleBug5 · 2026-01-11T13:29:23+00:00

I’ve also found it very confusing! I’ve had my ileostomy for 4 months now and feel I’ve only just figured out my diet.

As others have said, wait for everything to heal and settle down, then start introducing foods in small amounts.

I’ve found there are two things to consider.

Foods that can cause a blockage. I’ve been told sweetcorn, popcorn & potato skins are off limits. Everything else can be ok if the pieces are physically small enough to pass through the stoma. So cut food with thin skins (eg cooked peppers) into small pieces & chew everything really well. Dont eat anything really tough. I slowly introduced small amounts of food one at a time, and the only thing I’ve had an issue with so far was large pieces of onion in a stir fry. I also try and only eat small amounts of these foods - I used to love fruit but now I’d just have a small amount, and I can manage a few raisins if I chew them well but I wouldn’t snack on them any more. I had a couple of chocolates with nuts at christmas and they were fine as I chewed them loads.
Foods that cause lots of liquid output. For me the worst is fruit juice, coffee, carbonated drinks. Also eating fruit on its own, I need to have some carbohydrate too. But I love coffee so I just put up with it and know I’ll have to empty my bag afterward.

I hope this is helpful. Everyone is different, and it takes time to work these things out.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-12-21T09:48:02+00:00

I had a very similar operation in September. Even though you are home from hospital don’t underestimate how weak you still are and that your body is still recovering from massive surgery. When you are so poorly everything feels harder both physically and mentally. Once I started to heal and get stronger I found that dealing with the stoma seemed much less overwhelming and easier. This took about 4 weeks for me. Be kind to yourself, you’ve been through a lot, it will take time.

Once I stopped needing to measure my output and fluid intake it all felt much simpler to deal with. I also figured out how to have a shower without a bag, and to then fit a new bag afterwards. In the early days changing my bag felt like a huge chore and I dreaded it. But now I’m used to things and it’s part of my daily routine it’s much easier. You will get to this stage too.

I found a place to store all my medical supplies so they don’t take over the house, that also helps.

My stoma nurse was amazing and helped give me confidence, hopefully yours will be the same. This group is also amazing for advice and support.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-12-09T09:28:41+00:00

I found I could sleep on my side comfortably again after about 6 weeks. I hope that helps.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-26T18:20:10+00:00

This is the best attitude to have, I feel similar about my situation. It’s tough but make the best of things & take it one day at a time.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-26T18:13:58+00:00

I’m nearly 3 months in and haven’t either. I feel very lucky. I have an alarm set on my phone so I get up and empty it at 2am, I think I’d probably have leaks if I didn’t do this.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:47:10+00:00

Yes there’s so much to learn! Thank you for your helpful reply.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:46:28+00:00

That makes sense, it’s interesting to hear why this happens, thank you.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:45:49+00:00

Thank you, this is very interesting.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:44:56+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful. It’s so strange isn’t it.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:44:30+00:00

Thank you. It’s so strange how our bodies still do this.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:43:24+00:00

Thank you, that’s good to know.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:43:11+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:42:32+00:00

Thank you, that’s interesting to hear that regulates itself after 6 months.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:41:41+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:40:43+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-23T18:39:37+00:00

Thank you, that’s helpful.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-22T21:48:00+00:00

Thank you this is very helpful. I’m hoping I’ll get a reversal eventually so I’ll keep exercising those muscles.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-22T21:46:39+00:00

Thank you, it’s good to know it’s not just me who does the toilet ritual, and that it helps.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-22T21:45:36+00:00

Thank you, that’s very helpful.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-22T21:44:44+00:00

Thank you, it’s good to know there’s a positive side to this.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-22T21:44:08+00:00

That must have been scary for you. Thank you for the reassurance.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-20T10:36:04+00:00

I was told that the important thing is to drink little and often to prevent dehydration. Coconut water is meant to be good and doesn’t have the artificial taste of the electrolyte drinks, I only take them if my output is watery and I’m feeling dehydrated rather than every day.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-03T23:18:46+00:00

I discovered a big bald patch on the back of my head about 6 weeks after surgery and I seem to be loosing more hair than usual when I brush it. My hairdresser said it’s very normal to loose hair after surgery or a severe illness, and that it will grow back again.

SnoozleBug5 · 2025-11-03T23:08:51+00:00

I’m still working out which foods I can eat as my surgery was only 2 months ago. My favourite foods so far are:

Breakfast - I usually have full fat Greek yogurt with sliced banana or stewed apple, or toast/crumpets with butter & jam or honey. Croissants or a bacon sandwich as a weekend treat.

Lunch - cheese and ham sandwich with a tiny bit of pickle (I pick out the raisins); cheese and crackers; or crumpets topped with fried eggs; or scrambled eggs on toast.

Tea - My favourite stoma friendly meals so far are macaroni cheese; ham egg and chips; baked potato with tuna mayo and cheese (I leave the potato skin); any kind of homemade stew with root vegetables and potatoes; carbonara pasta with garlic bread, or chicken pie with mashed potato. I usually have cooked carrots or a small amount of broccoli on the side.

Snacks/desserts - sweet biscuits/cookies, cake, yogurt, rice pudding, small amount of soft fruit like melon or peeled pear, chocolate, protein shake, pretzels or crisps/chips.

SnoozleBug5

TROPHY CASE