Diet After Bowel Cancer Surgery

After cancer treatment, you may realize that it is impossible to eat the same foods you have been eating before surgery. In this article, we will discuss how to start eating a balanced diet. We will also discuss what to eat when you have a stoma.

Balanced diet

Following a healthy, balanced diet plan can help you remain healthy and strong, both physically and mentally. After surgery, make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day. You may want to add lower-fat dairy products and lean proteins to your diet plan. Sources of protein you can rely on include fish, skinless chicken, and pulses. Avoid using sugars and saturated fats. While pasta, rice, and bread are good energy sources, you may want to limit yourself to wholegrain foods.

The foods to eat will vary depending on your condition. You will also have to see what foods to eat before surgery and what to eat after the treatment.

Fiber

A fiber-rich diet can help you maintain your bowel health after surgery. This diet may include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and pulses. Another benefit of fiber is that it keeps you feeling full. This way, you can control your appetite and weight. You will need to increase your fiber gradually and drink plenty of water to avoid bowel problems.

You have to speak to your healthcare team about the amount of fiber you can take before and after surgery. Healthy individuals need to take at least 30g of fiber every day. This rule doesn’t apply to individuals who just underwent bowel cancer surgery. Their requirements for fiber intake vary depending on their body conditions.

After cancer treatment, you may have to take low-fiber foods until your bowel recovers. You will need to get soluble fibers. Soluble fiber foods include pulses and oats. You can increase the amount of fiber in your diet over time. Your healthcare team will provide you guidance in this regard.

It is important not to add fiber instantly to your diet because it can result in bloating and stomach cramps. While adding fibrous foods, make sure to drink plenty of water to help move digested foods along your GI tract comfortably.

Colostomy diet

You can start eating a balanced diet a few days after colostomy surgery. However, you will have to be cautious about your food intake if you had diarrhea or constipation before surgery.

Whether you have constipation or diarrhea, the most crucial thing is to stay hydrated throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water will relieve constipation while doing the same during diarrhea will compensate for the fluid loss.

If you have a colostomy, the best way to eat is to divide your daily food intake into several small meals instead of a few large meals. It will help you digest your foods without any problem. You will also have to chew your foods well while eating. Be sure to cook them well to make them readily digestible.

You can discuss all of your requirements with your nutritionist. They will formulate a diet plan that will be tailor-made for your body requirements.

 

Things To Know About Stomas

A section of the bowel brought out through the abdominal wall is known as the stoma. It serves as an opening to evacuate your body wastes. You will have to wear an ostomy bag over the stoma to collect those waste materials.

What are the types of stoma?

There are two types of intestinal ostomies or stomas: colostomy and ileostomy.

• A colostomy is formed by bringing a part of the large intestine through a cut in the belly. The wastes passing out of this opening are firmer compared to an ileostomy because the active part of the colon removes moisture from the stool. You will have to wear an ostomy pouch over the stoma to manage stool evacuations.
• The second type of intestinal ostomy is an ileostomy, which is created by bringing a part of the small intestine out through a cut in the abdomen. This ostomy is also managed by wearing an ostomy pouch over the stoma. Your doctor may choose to give you an ileostomy as a part of the treatment of rectal cancer. This ostomy allows the disconnected part of the bowel to rest and heal. The waste passing out of an ileostomy is usually liquid.

Your surgeon and nurse will explain to you the reasons why you need an ileostomy. They will also tell you about the type of stoma you need and also its duration. However, you may not be able to meet a nurse if you have to undergo a stoma operation in an emergency. You will get to meet the surgical staff and nurse only when you are going for a planned surgery. Sometimes, you may not even know if you are going to end up with a stoma after bowel surgery. In such cases, the surgeon has to decide during surgery whether or not to give the patient an ostomy or stoma. Even after surgery, you will get plenty of time to speak to your nurse about how to cope with this new change in your body.

Stoma supplies

You will get the first batch of stoma supplies when you go home from the hospital. After those supplies are used up, you can get the new ones from a local chemist or order them online. Nonetheless, you will need a prescription from your doctor before you can order these supplies.

Stoma reversal

If you have a permanent stoma, you will have to live with it for life. It is not that hard as it sounds. Once you adapt to an ostomy care routine, it will become your second nature. If you have a temporary stoma, you will need to undergo another operation for its reversal. During this surgery, the surgeon will reconnect your healthy bowel with the now-healed part of the intestinal tract. After this procedure, you will be able to pass out stools like everyone else. However, you may need a bit of time before your bowel functions fully resume.

Managing your stoma

Managing your stoma can be a challenging affair if you are not fully ready. The first thing is to get mentally prepared and then remain in touch with your ostomy care nurse to know everything you need to manage your stoma.