Patient/caregiver was educated on dietary recommendations for individuals with ileostomy as follows:

  1. Individuals with ileostomy find it difficult to digest certain food materials, which can eventually show up in the stool. These poorly processed foods can block the stoma leading to emergency situations. Avoiding these foods is recommended in individuals with ileostomy, especially during the first 6 – 8 weeks after initiation of ileostomy.
  2. Individuals could be on NPO regimen immediately before & after the ileostomy procedure to provide rest to the irritated/inflamed bowel. After the procedure, individuals should slowly ease themselves into foods, starting with clear liquids or soups. Then, they can slowly graduate to soft solid foods, such as, sauce, jelly, yogurt, ice cream, etc., After getting comfortable with tolerating these foods, they can further graduate to regular solid foods, such as, rice, potato, bread, banana, etc., The timeline for this graduation could vary from individual to individual, as do their respective health conditions. Check with your physician and dietitian on the same and follow the guidelines suggested.
  3. Individuals on ileostomy lose significant amounts of water and electrolytes in the stool. Fluid and electrolytes are significantly absorbed in the large intestine. So, a stoma placed ahead of large intestine along the length of the bowels, such as in ileostomy, will fail to absorb all the water and electrolytes that normally were destined to get absorbed in the large intestine. As a result of fluid and electrolyte loss, these individuals are at increased risk for presentation with dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Individuals with ileostomy must observe closely for signs and symptoms of evolving dehydration, such as, feeling thirsty, dark-colored urine, feeling lightheaded, and dry mouth & lips. These individuals must also observe compliance with increased fluid intake and electrolyte supplementation, as recommended, to help prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance from developing.