Good evening, Trevor.
I'm an ileostomate of just over 3 years. When it came to my post-operative diet, my surgeon told me in the hospital, "Sip, sip, sip water all day long (to stay hydrated) and chew, chew, chew solid foods until it's almost like paste (to prevent blockages)." There was nothing off-limits, as far as he was concerned. (Having lunch with family, friends is an issue: with so much chewing, everyone typically waits on me to finish. Usually, I take home leftovers that I had no time to eat. I feel like I'm holding them up, but I can't change my circumstances, and I'm mindful of their time.)
During one of my earlier ostomy wound care visits, I mentioned to the WOCN how I missed popcorn sometimes. He asked why I thought I couldn't have it. I said, 'I haven't had any popcorn since my Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis." He said, "Well, you don't have UC, NOW, do you?" His question shook up my thinking: I USED to have UC - and a colon - now I don't.
So, I don't restrict my diet, and love eating salads, fresh fruit - including unpeeled apples - nuts and whole grains - including popcorn and granola! - again. However, I chew thoroughly and do my best to drink plenty of liquid with my food. With all fruits and veggies, the more I chew, the finer the particles, the more nutrients my body can extract, absorb. One thing I try to avoid: eating peanut butter either from the spoon or on a sandwich - it's too sticky, causing me blockages.
Another long-time ileostomate friend of mine says she can't have too much fiber in her diet, or she will have a breach between her appliance and her skin. (She's going to see a WOCN ASAP to see if she needs to modify her choice in appliance and/or how it is affixed to her abdomen. I'm curious to hear if her presumption that high fiber intake is truly the problem is correct, or just part of the issue.)
So, maybe not every ileostomate can eat everything. If you are worried about increasing your fiber intake, do so gradually, and pay close attention to how your body responds: the body doesn't lie!
I do try to mind my surgeon's warnings though about hydration and blockages, however. I had my first blockage 16 months after my surgery, and with the radiating pain in my torso, and never having had a blockage before, I thought a heart attack possible. Off to the ER I went via ambulance; spent 7 hours there while all tests, exams came up negative. The painful blockage finally passed, but I was only a little embarrassed; after all, pro- and semi-pro basketball players in much better physical condition have suffered fatal heart attacks on the court while playing. I've had more since, and they are painful, worrying reminders that I need to "chew, chew, chew" and especially "sip, sip, sip" A LOT while eating.
With no colon, I've found that much of what I eat drink makes the transit to my ostomy bag very quickly, and my small intestine doesn't absorb as much water from what I consume as readily as my colon did. I don't expect that will change, since the colon's main function is (was) to absorb water.
Since my small intestine has that difficulty absorbing water, I try to help keep my liver, kidneys, bladder, etc., healthier by drinking about 12 oz. of water right before I climb into bed at night. While lying down, gravity is less of an issue, and my remaining GI tract has more time to absorb the water, hydrating my body, helping to remove toxins from my tissues. I'm well-hydrated in the morning - skin is nice and plump - but it's amazing how quickly my tissues lose fluid. My fingers and the fragile skin on the back of my hands are much more wrinkled within an hour of waking. (Living in a high desert climate with very low relative humidity doesn't help.)
I have always enjoyed fruit smoothies, but one of my favorite pre-prepped "smoothies" is a can of regular V8 juice. (I never could stand the blandness of reduced-sodium V8.) Water, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and salt. I've noticed skin problems since my surgery, and these issues abate a great deal when I sip an 8 oz. can of V8 juice, regularly. I chalk it up to the easily-absorbed vitamins, minerals, salt. And, a dietician who addressed my ostomy support group made a point of saying that ileostomates need more salt in their diet to help increase thirst and, therefore, fluid intake, and also to assist the body's tissues retain fluids/reduce dehydration. (NOTE: Not every person - ileostomate or not - is able to increase their salt intake due to various health conditions. Consult your physician.)
As for making your own smoothies, whatever you put into them, that's what your body will receive. Take a recipe - no matter for what goal it is labeled - and add or subtract what you want to make it your own. Use healthy, flavorful, nutrient-dense ingredients. Be adventurous, experiment - and remember to pay attention to how your body responds to what you provide.
Well, Trevor, as you may already have presumed, I'm "long-winded", also. However, I hope some of what I've written can help you or another member.
Be well.
Lily17
