Which foods should I avoid after a stoma surgery?
After a few weeks with your stoma, you should find it easier to settle back into your usual diet routine. If you’re not sure how a certain food will affect your stoma, try a little bit of it and see how you react! What you do and don’t decide to eat will probably be based on your personal symptoms.
Here are some foods that may cause discomfort and stomach pain if you have a stoma:
Wind
We all pass wind, but it works a little differently when you have a stoma. Gas from your stomach will normally leak slowly into your pouch, which will have little vents and filters to stop it from blowing up like a balloon or from getting too smelly.
But occasionally, this wind will make your bag bulge slightly, or make a noise.
Food and drink that may cause excessive wind with a stoma include:
- Beans
- Cabbage
- Sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Fizzy drinks (including beer)
- High-fibre, starchy foods like wholemeal bread
Smell
If your stoma fits well, there shouldn’t be a หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ noticeable smell throughout the day, except when you’re changing the bag for a new one.
Certain foods might make these smells linger longer, including:
- Asparagus
- Brussel sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Eggs
- Fish
- Garlic
- Onions
If you notice your stoma is producing an odour and it’s not going away, you may want to limit your intake of these foods, or speak to your doctor about medications that may help to reduce its noticeability. Drinking orange juice, tomato juice or cranberry juice may also help to moderate any unpleasant smells.
Blockages
Chewing your food properly is important when you have a stoma as it can reduce the risk of bulky foods blocking up the opening. Certain foods are harder to digest and might cause this problem, like:
- Nuts
- Popcorn
- Sweetcorn
- Mushrooms
- Peppers
- Coconut
- Tomatoes
- High-fibre veggies
If something does get stuck, you might feel poorly, be sick, or experience pain and swelling in your stomach. You should stop eating and contact your doctor or go to the hospital if your symptoms don’t improve.
Colour
You shouldn’t need to avoid foods based on their colour, but it’s worth noting that some things may change the colour of your waste! Don’t be concerned if you notice some changes after eating:
- Strawberries
- Beetroot
- Tomato sauce
- Asparagus
- Anything containing food colouring, like brightly-coloured icing