UOAA Discussion Board

guys I recently had surgery 3 weeks ago to remove my whole colon
and get a ileostomy because of bad UC. I'm left the hospital and came
back 2 days latter with a small bowl partial blockage. they also had to
put the darn tube in nose to drain the blockage. just got home 2 days
ago. my output is has been about 120 ml the past day. doc not worried but I
am. should I be concerned if this low output keeps up. I am not vomiting or much pain at all.

Sbysteve:
Your resection surgery/colon removal and complicating small bowel obstruction (sbo) have been a traumatic one-two punch to your body. A double whammy.

Recognize that your healing and recovery will be a gradual process and treating yourself gently will be the best course over the next several weeks.

The lining of the intestine can remain inflamed and swollen for 7-10 days after a small bowel obstruction. Inflammation of surrounding soft/connective tissue often accompanies due to the release of cytokines and endocrine hormones. This is often referred to as “stranding” by radiologists when interpreting imaging scans.

A few ideas to guide you in the immediate . . .

1. Focus on intaking adequate clear liquids for hydration and electrolyte stability. You need fluids more than solid food intake.

Be careful to avoid fluid choices high in sugar. Sugars (especially high fructose corn syrup) cause rapid emptying of the stomach and small intestine - aka gastric dumping - which increases the risk of dehydration.

Gatorade and Power Aid are NOT your friends. Despite marketing to entice you to purchase these products, pass them by and do not place them in your grocery cart. The sugar content and artificial additives will add to gastric dumping and insulin spikes that will confuse your body in its healing more than contribute to its wellbeing.

What to drink?

There are any number of hydration enhancing products readily available. These include:
A. Nunn’s tablets. A tablet that you add to water or clear liquid beverage that is hydration enhancing. It comes in a variety of flavors. About $9 for a packet of 12 tablets. Available at most wholistic grocery stores and Amazon.

B. Cera-Lyte. A medical grade rehydration supplement. Cera-Lute is quality stuff. There is a Cera-Lyte formulation specific for ileostomies (its 70% composite). For animal lovers, Cera-Lyte makes a rehydration formulation for your 4-legged family member when you are hiking in the summer months. Cera-Lyte is available at its website (which provides an information overview of its product line) as well as Amazon. For anyone with a new ileostomy, Cera-Lyte is a wise choice in addressing concerns for maintaining hydration and electrolyte stability.

C. 50-50 mix of water with fruit juice
Fill a Nalgene bottle with a hybrid of 50% water and 50% fruit juice. Full strength fruit juice can increase diarrhea, so it is best to dilute juices such as grape/apple.

D. Carnation Instant Breakfast (CIB) with low fat milk or lactose free low fat milk
Carnation Instant Breakfast is a tried and true source of protein with low added sugar (6-8 grams per packet). Lactose intolerance can sometimes be problematic after surgery due to endocrine disruptions and enzyme sensitivity, so selecting a lactose free milk can often be more soothing than regular cow’a milk. You can also use almond or rice milk products with CIB.

E. Iced tea (herbal teas or black teas)

F. Popsicles and grated ice slushees
I love popsicles when I feel punk. Popsicles are refreshing and thirst quenching. My freezer has a steady supply of Popsicles.

G. Yogurts, pudding, custard

Be selective with your more solid food choices during the next 7-10 days. Soft foods that have sauces (ex. Pasta with sauce, macaroni and cheese) and strained soups are good choices.

Keep portion sizes small, 1/2 cup. You do not want to overwhelm with intestines with too much food volume or bulk.

Try to be up and walking frequently throughout the day. The intestines are a long tube of muscle that rely on the body’s general movement and mobility as a stimulus. Gentle walking is advantageous.

Welcome to the forum. We’re a friendly bunch. Always willing to extend a helping hand to new members, just as a helping hand was extending to each of us at one time or another. Let us know how we can support you.
Karen

Thanks Karen for all the help. I know I will Love this
forum.

Last paragraph is very important. I know. I didn't follow it.
It made my recovery much longer. You sound well. As much as I can tell in a post.
But if you can get up and move. I wish I would have. I had my problems and didn't want to.
But looking back I should have got off my dead butt and walked.
Karen gave some very good advice. Time is your friend.
Good luck. Seriously. We can get better. I'm proof.
Richard.

Hi sbysteve45
When I had my ileostomy about 7 years ago, I went in and out of the hospital about 6 times in the first six months. It takes your body time to learn to deal with this huge physical (and mental) change.

These repeated hospital stays can bring you down, and leave you distressed and so terribly sad.

Try not to be discouraged. It will take a long time to recover. 3 weeks is less than a drop in the bucket. It as 9 months before I felt anything like myself again. Health professionals seem to always say you'll recover in 6 weeks, for some reason. But those of us who have ostomies know that it is more like a year.

Go as slow as your body tells you to. You will recover, and feel like your old self again. Try to stay positive, and if you are in the hospital, tell yourself, "This too shall pass." It is going to get better. Slow and steady wins the race. It won't always be like this. You will learn to deal with this, and life will be good again.