Diet Guide for Colostomy Patients

After undergoing surgery on the large intestine which is called colostomy, patients will be advised to undergo a special diet. Diet for colostomy patients not only plays a role to support postoperative healing, but also to maintain the patient's health in the long run.

After undergoing colostomy surgery, the patient's body's ability to digest and absorb food is certainly not the same as before. Therefore, colostomy patients need a special diet or diet.

Not only to influence the amount, frequency and density of faeces, diet adjustments for colostomy patients also play a role in ensuring adequate nutrition and energy intake, preventing further intestinal damage due to difficulty digesting food, and preventing malnutrition that often occurs after colostomy surgery.

What Is a Colostomy?

Colon or large intestine is an organ that absorbs water from digestion. The remaining solid form of digestion will pass through the colon and rectum, then excreted through the anus as feces.

Colostomy is an operation that aims to make an opening or opening as a new discharge pathway for feces and gas, by connecting the intestine big with stomach wall and skin. Colostomy can be temporary or permanent.

Colostomy is generally performed on patients who have problems with the large intestine, rectum, and anus due to various medical conditions, such as:

• Colorectal cancer.
• Bowel disorders due to congenital diseases
• Inflammatory bowel disease.
• Diverculitis.
• Injury to the intestine.
• Severe intestinal infections.

Diet for Colostomy Patients

For about 6-8 weeks after surgery, patients are advised to only consume foods that are tasteless and low in fiber. After that, the swelling in the intestine is expected to have improved and the patient can return to eating as usual, of course slowly and with some adjustments.

The following are the recommendations that are usually given by doctors related to diet for colostomy patients are:

• Increase the frequency of eating up to 3-5 times a day with smaller portions. A small portion of food but often more acceptable to the body and will reduce gas production.
• Schedule meals at the same time each day to help the intestine adapt to conditions after colostomy and smooth bowel movements.
• Chew food slowly until it is completely pulverized, to prevent blockage in the intestine.
• Do not use a straw when drinking, reduce the consumption of gum, and stop talking habits when eating, to reduce gas in the digestive tract .
• Sufficient fluid needs by drinking about 8-10 glasses of water per day, but not together with food. Colostomy patients are at risk of losing more water because the function of the large intestine to absorb water will be reduced.
• Make notes regarding the type of food consumed, how to process it, and adverse reactions that arise, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or stomach pain. In addition to helping patients monitor their diets, this note will also help the nutrition doctor choose the right type of food for the patient.

Recommended Types of Foods

The following are the types of foods recommended for colostomy patients and how to consume them:

1. Milk and its processed products

Some patients can experience lactose intolerance after undergoing a colostomy, so it is advisable to consume milk or milk products, such as cheese and yogurt, slowly.

Limit consumption of whole milk or processed milk, and replace it with skim or low-fat milk. If you have diarrhea after consuming cow's milk and its processed products, replace it with soy milk, almond milk, or lactose-free milk.

2. High-protein foods rotein high

Lean meat, fish, and skinless poultry meat are good sources of animal protein for patients after undergoing colostomy. Eggs can be consumed, but not too much, just one egg a day.

Nuts and mushrooms are good sources of vegetable protein, but be sure to consume them in small amounts and chew them until they are perfectly smooth, to avoid problems with them. intestine.

3. Low-fiber foods

Low-fiber foods, such as white bread and rice, are good for colostomy patients. While high-fiber foods, such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread, should be limited to the initial few weeks after surgery, then you can start consuming one at a time.

4. Vegetables an

Recommended types of vegetables are skinless vegetables and seeds, such as carrots, beans, peeled tomatoes, and lettuce. Vegetables must be entered first until cooked.

While the types of vegetables that should be avoided are onions, cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli, and cabbage, because they can increase gas production.

5. Fruit

Types of fruit that are good for colostomy patients are bananas, watermelons, and melons. While apples, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes may be consumed, as long as the skin is peeled first.

6. Fat

Colostomy patients are encouraged to reduce their consumption of high-fat foods, such as fried foods or fatty meats, because they can cause stomach discomfort.

Fat that recommended is healthy fats derived from olive oil and fish oil.

Not only food, the type of drink consumed by colostomy patients also needs attention. In addition to water, colostomy patients can also consume fruit and vegetable juices, according to the types recommended above.

We recommend that you limit drinks containing caffeine, soda, or lots of sugar, because it can cause excess gas. To help meet the needs of electrolytes, colostomy patients are advised to consume electrolyte drinks.

Some types of food can indeed cause complaints in digestion, such as excessive gas production, foul-smelling fart, diarrhea, and constipation, but each patient has a reaction different for these foods.

Diets for colostomy patients do require adjustments. To get the type of diet and diet that suits the needs and conditions of the body, colostomy patients can consult further with a nutrition doctor.

Written by:

dr. Andi Marsa Nadhira

Label : Health cat_Health