Managing Diet with an Ostomy and Fistula Complications

Hi. I have had my ostomy for 2 weeks now. Double Barrell diverting due to rectal tear from hyst. surgery. I have also now developed a bladder/vag. fistula causing constant urine leak despite a foley cath. My issue is that its hard to keep up the fluids and my output goes from thick to watery within the same day. Is it basically a guessing game when deciding on what to eat or not. I have lost alot of weight and am facing 2 more surgeries within the next month or so.....so easy to get down and depressed.

It is a guessing game initially.  But be careful to watch what you are eating .. and journaling it may be the best way.  So when the output becomes what you want it to be, look back and see what you ate.  



The first few months I found difficult until I found what worked and what didn't.

Sorry to hear of your troubles ... hang in there .. it may not seem like it right now, but it will get better.

Thanks for the support. My name is Suz too! Just having HOPE is a lot. One day at a time, eh?

it is .. one day at a time.  It is overwhelming at first.  But before you know it you are a pro!

Been awhile since posting but see if I can do it right.  My great surgeon said to me about diet as he signed off my case..."eat anything you like son", I was younger than him then, "if it makes you sick, just don't eat it again."  I found that about right.  Garlic and cabbage family( gas producers) are all that bother me and that's just gas to cause an early trip to the toilet.  Good luck.  The worst is behind you now.  ZACK

How to Manage Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

This Zack again.  After rereading that you have a new ostomy, 2 weeks, this is a more measured post.  Seems like it took some time for my ileosomy to "stabilize", like a couple of months or so.  What others wrote about journaling would have been good for me then.

It's been 34 years now but I think I recall eating just small amounts of foods until seeing how they "set". "Easily digested low residue" foods is what I recall from the Doc.  I'd just take it easy for a month or two.  I guess we are/were all different.  I had a complete ileostomy and my gall bladder out as well.  I eat spicy Mexican and southern barbeque with no trouble at all and have for as long as I can remember.  Like I posted before, the worst is behind you now.

I have to admit keeping a journal really will help. I kept one for 6 years and always brought it to my doctor appointments as well. I recorded input and output. What I had for meals and snacks. Try to keep track of how much lquid you are intaking as well.



I was also told to eat whatever it was I was hankering for because it would make me crazy wanting it. Even though raw vegies, cabbage etc WILL cause gas in my ostomy, I still get a taste and grumble to myself on my way to the washroom 12 extra times later that night or the next day. My own fault, I knew the consiquences.



Keep track of your pains as well as this could be indication of a twist perhaps since that tends to happen as well.



Good luck andI hope things turn around for you, remember you are only 2 weeks into this your body is still adjusting.

Hi--I am relearning how to regulate my ileostomy as well.  I had my ileostomy initially in 2001.  Last week Dec 17, 2009 I had it moved to the other side due to a parastomal hernia so it is like learning to live with an ostomy again.  I had a hysterectomy at the same time.  I am finding that this time around it is thickening more quickly than the first time.  I don't know if that is because it was used to it already or if I am doing something different.  If I focus heavily on foods such as pasta, bananas, oatmeal, cream of wheat, pudding, etc. the output thickens nicely.  I am just a week post now.  If I drink soda/pop it tends to go liquid.  I introduced some cooked veggies today and the jury is still out on these (peppers, onions, tomatoes).  Squash and carrots thicken nicely too.  Sipping liquids is definitely better.  I have a tendency to drink large quanities quickly as I dehydrate easily.  This becomes a vicious cycle for me sometimes.  I'm trying to drink more water and less of other liquids.  Gatorade is great to help maintain hydration.  Hope this helps some.  Things eventually get better.  As they say,  time heals all wounds.  Good luck!