Postby MissMolly » Fri Apr 26, 2019 4:23 pm
Deep,
Your ileostomy output at 600 ml for 24 hours is on the low end of what one would expect. But you are having output from the stoma. That indicates that you are passing digestive food matter. A good sign.
It is common for the intestine to be under-powered for the first several weeks after surgery. The intestinal motility is laggard. Motility can be erratic, wax and wane, stop and start, or slow to a crawl.
I often advise people to focus on fluid intake more than solid/soft food intake. You primary need is fluids.
When the motility of the intestinal tract is struggling, consuming soft/solid food adds to distress by causing incomplete digestive function and retained stool.
Clear fluids (fruit juice, tea, water with a flavored electrolyte additive such as Nunn’s Tablets or Emergen C, lemonade, chicken broth) and strained thickened liquids (tomato soup, pudding, yogurt, baked custard, Carnation Instant Breakfast) are all A-OK.
Sip, sip, sip on fluids throughout the day.
Frequent sipping of fluids over time is preferred to consuming a large 8-10 oz. glass of a beverage at a single moment in time. It is easier for the small intestine to assimilate and absorb fluids via sipping small quantities of fluid at frequent intervals.
100% grape juice and 100% apple juice have flavonoids that promote intestinal motility and are often the remedy for a new ileostomy with slowed motility. Look for a label that reads “100% juice” (not a juice blend not a juice concentrate).
Some people will need to jump-start a slow intestine with a low dose/partial dose of Miralax or Milk of Magnesia (ex. one teaspoon). As you are less than 2 weeks post-op and in an early period of recovery, dose with an osmotic laxative only ONLY with the direction and advisement of your surgeon.
Walking and gentle stretching does aide the intestine in “waking up” and reclaiming its functionality.
The intestine can be left traumatized in being manipulated and handled during surgery. The intestine often benefits from a gentle approach to re-feeding and hydrating. Gentle walking. Rest and patience.
Karen
Dear friend to Bella Piazza, former Colon Club member (NWGirl).
I have a permanent ileostomy and offer advice on living with an ostomy - in loving remembrance of Bella
I am on Palliative Care for broad endocrine failure + Addison's disease + osteonecrosis of both hips/jaw + immunosuppression. I live a simple life due to frail health.