You had an injury or disease in your digestive system and needed an operation called an ileostomy. The operation changed the way your body gets rid of waste (stool, feces, or poop).
Now you have an opening called a stoma in your belly. Waste will pass through the stoma into a pouch that collects it. You will need to take care of the stoma and empty the pouch many times a day.
People who have had an ileostomy can usually eat a normal diet. But some foods may cause problems. Foods that may be fine for some people may cause trouble for others.
Your pouch should be sealed well enough to prevent any odor from leaking out. You may notice more odor when you empty your pouch after you eat certain foods. Some of these foods are onions, garlic, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, fish, some cheeses, eggs, baked beans, Brussels sprouts, and alcohol.
Doing these things will keep down the odor:
Control gas, if it is a problem:
Try eating 5 or 6 small meals a day.
It is OK to try new foods, but try only 1 at a time. That way, if you have any trouble, you will know which food caused the problem.
Unless you are underweight because of your surgery or any other illness, try not to gain weight. It is not healthy for you, and it may change how your ostomy works or fits.
When you feel sick to your stomach:
Some red foods may make you think you are bleeding.
Call your doctor if
Standard ileostomy - diet; Brooke ileostomy - diet; Continent ileostomy - diet; Abdominal pouch - diet; End ileostomy - diet; Ostomy - diet
American Cancer Institute. Ileostomy guide. Last Revised: 03/17/2011. Accessed 07/08/2012.
Cima RR. Pemberton JH. Ileostomy, colostomy, and pouches. In: Feldman M. Friedman LS, Brandt LJ. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 113.
Fry RD, Mahmoud N, Maron DJ, Ross HM, Rombeau J. Colon and rectum. In: Townsend Jr. CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 50.
Updated by: Joshua Kunin, MD, Consulting Colorectal Surgeon, Zichron Yaakov, Israel. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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