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Initial Post-Surgery Diet: Start with a liquid/fluid diet to allow the intestine to heal and prevent blockages (time period varies from patient to patient).
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Small, Frequent Meals: Eat smaller meals more often throughout the day, rather than three large ones.
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Chew Thoroughly: Chew your food very well, until it is almost liquid, to aid digestion and prevent blockages.
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Introduce Foods Slowly: Depending on patient tolerance and potential triggers, introduce food bites one at a time.
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Hydration: Drink plenty of water or other fluids every day to avoid dehydration. Drink water between 2 meals and not with your meal to avoid the feeling of fullness.
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Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to how different foods affect you and adjust your diet accordingly.
General principles for both Colostomates and Ileostomates:
Ostomy Diet
An ostomy, a surgically created opening in the abdomen, affects diet because it alters the normal digestive process, which can impact nutrient absorption and waste elimination. The digestive system, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract, processes food and fluids to absorb nutrients, with undigested material expelled as stool.