After undergoing surgery on the large intestine called a colostomy, patients will be advised to undergo a special diet. Diet for colostomy patients not only serves to support healing after surgery, but also to maintain the patient's health in the long run.
After undergoing colostomy surgery, the patient'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 feces, dietary 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 a surgical procedure that aims to make an opening or opening as a new drainage path for feces and gas, by connecting the large intestine with the abdominal wall and skin. Colostomies 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.
- Intestinal injury.
- Severe intestinal infection.
Diet for Colostomy Patients
For about 6-8 weeks after surgery, patients are advised to only eat foods that are tasteless and low in fiber. After that, the swelling of 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 suggestions that are usually given by doctors regarding diet for colostomy patients:
- 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 completely blended, to prevent blockage in the intestine.
- Do not use straws when drinking, reduce the consumption of gum, and stop the habit of talking 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 related to the type of food consumed, how to process it, and adverse reactions that arise, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or abdominal pain. In addition to helping patients monitor their diets, this note will also help nutritionists choose the right type of food for patients.
Recommended Foods
The following are the types of foods recommended for colostomy patients and how to consume them:
1. Milk and 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 whole milk and its processed, and replace it with skim milk 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
Lean meat, fish and skinless poultry meat are good sources of animal protein for patients after undergoing a colostomy. Eggs may 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 intestinal problems.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 first few weeks after surgery, then can begin to be consumed one by one gradually.
4. Vegetables
The recommended types of vegetables are vegetables without the skin and seeds, such as carrots, beans, peeled tomatoes, and lettuce. The vegetables must be added 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
Good types of fruit for colostomy patients are bananas, watermelons, and melons. While apples, strawberries, blueberries, and grapes may be consumed, as long as the skin is peeled.
6. Fat
Colostomy patients are advised to reduce the consumption of foods high in fat, for example fried foods or fatty meat, because it can cause stomach discomfort.
Recommended fats are healthy fats derived from olive oil and fish oil.
Not only food, the type of drinks consumed by colostomy patients also need 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 that contain 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 excess gas production, foul-smelling farts, diarrhea, and constipation, but each patient has a different reaction to these types of food.
Diet for colostomy patients does 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 nutritionist.
