Stoma and diet advice

[Dr Nick Read]

Ask your doctor to refer you to a gastrointestinal dietitian to advise you what you can eat to lose weight, bearing in mind you have a stoma. Exercise is good but as long as it is done regularly and combined with a healthy diet. Unfortunately a lot of vegetables, esp onions and fruit will tend to increase your stoma output. and the low self esteem and depression will tend to erode your best intentions. What you need is to work over a long period of time with somebody you have confidence in and who can give you good dietary and lifestyle advice. You can do it, as long as you keep to the regime for as long as it takes. it is not easu but also not impossible

[Julie Thompson]

Hi
I am sorry you are having a challenging time at the moment - it can be more difficult to manage your weight with an underactive thyroid but not impossible. For stoma advice this really depends on what part of you bowel has been resected or removed - or more importantly what is left behind, whether you have a colostomy or ileostomy. It also depends on how long ago you had your surgery and if you had any other treatments that might have affected your bowel. Advice in this instance really needs to be tailored to the individual and you should seek advice from a specialist dietitian who has a good understanding of the functioning of your gut. You may well be able to have some fruit and vegetables that won’t affect your output so do ask your GP for a referral. There are some organisations that might be able to give you some general advice such as

http://www.iasupport.org/

http://www.colostomyassociation.org.uk/