After a colostomy surgery, stool will pass through the stoma, the opening on your abdomen, and empty into a pouch.

A urostomy, or urinary diversion is a surgical created opening in the abdomen that allows urine to pass directly out of the body. This new opening, called a stoma, diverts urine from a diseased portion of the urinary tract. Part of the small intestine is used to connect the ureters to abdominal wall.

After urostomy surgery, you will no longer have voluntary control over urination. Urine will pass through your stoma, the opening on your abdomen, and empty into a pouch.

A Ilestomyis a surgically created opening in the abdomen through which the end the ileum is brought up to the surface of the skin. This new opening, called a stoma, allows waste to pass directly out of the body, bypassing a diseased or damaged section of the colon. In many cases, the colon is removed. Its function, reabsorbing water and electrolytes, will be carried out to some degree by the small intestine.

After ileostomy surgery, body waste will pass through your stoma, the opening on your abdomen, and empty into a pouch. Since you will no longer have voluntary control over bowel movements, it is important to know that the discharge of body waste will be fairly constant. Liquid or pasty in consistency, it will occur several times a day, usually after a meal.

Caring for Your Stoma? (Top of page)
A stoma is shiny, wet and red in color, similar to the inside lining of your mouth. It will usually have a round or oval shape, varying in size. After surgery, the stoma may appear swollen. The swelling will go down, and it will gradually shrink in size after a few months. During this time, it is necessary to continue to measure your stoma, making sure the pouching system fits correctly.

A stoma does not have nerve endings; therefore, it doesn’t transmit pain or other sensations. It is however, rich in blood vessels and may bleed slightly if irritated or rubbed. This is normal, but if bleeding is prolonged or if the discharge from your stoma is bloody, be sure to contact your doctor.

The skin surronding the stoma, called the peristomal skin, must be protected from direct contact with discharge. This discharge is potentially irritating, since it is very high in digestive enzymes. The peristomal skin should be gently cleansed with plain soap that leaves no residue, then rinsed with water during each change of the ostomy pouching system. Water will not enter the stoma because of its gentle outward contractions, so it’s not necessary to cover the stoma while bathing or showering.

What should I eat after colostomy surgery? (Top of page)
After your surgery you can gradually resume eating a balanced diet, unless your physician requires you to follow a special diet.

You may wish to avoid certain foods that cause odor or gas or are hard to digest. It’s also good to remember that if a certain food disagreed with you in the past, chances are it will still disagree with you after surgery.

Will I experience gas after colostomy surgery? (Top of page)
Intestinal gas can be caused by swallowing air, chewing gum, talking while eating, smoking, and sipping through a straw. You may want to avoid gas-producing foods and liquids. It is helpful to know there is a lag time between eating gas-producing foods and actual flatulence, which is usually about six hours for a person with a colostomy.

What if I experience constipation or diarrhea after colostomy surgery? (Top of page)
Increasing your fluid and fiber intake should prevent constipation. Drink more water and fruit juices, up to six to eight glasses per day. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, as well as fibrous foods such as whole-grain breads and cereals.

Diarrhea can be caused by many things, including, viruses, antibiotic therapy, some medications, and your intolerance to certain foods. To reduce diarrhea, omit fiber and bulk from your meals and eat foods that thicken your stools, such as white rice, applesauce, bananas, creamy peanut butter, yogurt, pasta, and bread. Continued diarrhea can cause dehydration, so increase the amount if fluids in your diet.

What diet do I need to eat after urostomy surgery? (Top of page)
There is no special diet required for people with urostomies. You should eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids. In fact to avoid infections and keep urinary functions normal, it’s advisable to drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid (or 64 ounces) each day, unless instructed otherwise by your physician.

What diet do I need to eat after ileostomy surgery? (Top of page)
After your surgery you can gradually resume eating a balanced diet, unless your physician requires you to follow a special diet.

You may wish to avoid certain foods that cause blockages, odor or gas It’s good to remember that if certain disagreed with you in the past, chances are it will still disagree with you after surgery.

High-fiber foods can cause blockages in the ileum which has a relatively narrow diameter, especially after surgery. Chewing food will help break down the fiber into smaller pieces that are less likely to accumulate at a narrow point within the bowel. Drinking plenty of fluids can also eliminate any residue.