Adjusting Diet After Ileostomy with Short Bowel Syndrome Concerns

I just had my ileostomoy 7 weeks ago, so I'm fairly new to all of this. I'm trying to wrap my head around everything & I know it's still very early, but I'm not seeing any changes from how I felt before the surgery. In fact, I'm worried I'm still losing weight. I've had Crohn's since I was 9 & my large intestine was severely inflamed, so food took forever to pass through, so I hardly ever ate, since I got bloated & horrible distension whenever I ate. I heard somewhere about Short Bowel Syndrome & wondered if anyone else has experienced this? I feel like I need to eat a lot more than I used to, but I still have my old eating habits, so I'm losing weight. Any tips on a better diet would be helpful! I've always been underweight & I really can't stand to lose anymore weight. Thanks in advance for any help!



Susan

Susan,  



First are you sure you have short bowel syndrome?........did they take all your large and lots of your small too?............Even after Ileo surgery your body is adjusting and you will pass lots of matter and fluid and you will feel a little weaker as nutrients arent making there way into your system......If you can remember this,  your small intestine drinks for you and the large eats for you..........So continue to drink as dehydration is a minor problem for us ILEO's,  





Say after me..........I am normal.  I am normal  ,  I am normal.



I personally believe we as ostomates are extraordinary and more than just plain normal...We have experienced somthing that will change us forever and our journey is so unique we are better for having made it out of the darkness and back on the road to health.  While right after surgery you might not feel what i am saying,  I believe in time you will feel all that and more.



Stay well Susan  and welcome...........Michael

Susan



If you can do it, lots of water and protein powder, slam the protein.  It should not bother the small intestine.



Welcome



Rick.....

OOOOOOPS,  I had it backwards.



          Your small intestine, like your mouth , breaks down the food and basically eats for you and the large intestine drinks for you and thats how you get rehydrated and the nutients back into your system...In time your bodys small intestine will start to absorb more and more over time as far as nutrients go, but as far as hydration goes you will need to drink and drink and drink again...As an ILEO  dehydration is a rather big issue....so keep drinking your water.......Sorry for the mistake in  my previous post..............Michael



Know that  when i feel weak and tired on occasion ,  it always  goes hand in hand that i didnt drink enough water.......Till next post.  Keep smiling

Hi Susan!

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Nice to meet you!...and welcome to our group!

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  Michael and Rick gave you some great advice hun......and the drinking issue is indeed VERY important to stay hydrated...I, too, have Crohn's and I've had my ostomy since the age of 10.  I've had surgery 5 times due to Crohns and therefore my colon is gone and much of my small intestine and I am understanding the weight issue as well.  I normally can maintain my weight between 105-110 pounds but it is a struggle, I eat like a friggin' pig lol and I eat absolutely EVERYthing and gaining is the toughest thing for me to do ......my doc tells me he would like me to gain so I have "a reserve" on me to help battle future flare-ups but just can't seem to do it.....because when Crohns is flaring I drop weight fast...  I wish I had more answers for the both of us on gaining weight....all I can say is I understand your concerns ...seems we're in the same boat as they say

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  ~Doe

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I have an extremely short bowel.  I am on TPN (IV nutrtition) because my body can't absorb the nutrients form the food I eat.  I was 86 lbs. last may & thanks to the TPN I am up to 120 lbs.  IF you have a short bowel, this MAY be an option for you.

Susan:  Hi.  The nutritionists at both the cancer institute and hospital where I had surgery were very helpful with similar problems.  Hope you will not hesitate to approach them for guidance.  One product suggested to me early on was a supplement called polycose meant specifically for rapid weight gain.  Purchased it over the counter but would suggest you run it by your physicians or nutritionists for approval first.  Best of luck.  Fonzi.

hi

 

How is it going so far? Any improvement?