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What you may eat after ileostomy surgery depends on the health of your small intestine, and the time elapsed after surgery. Right after ileostomy surgery, the small intestine is in its most vulnerable state. It recovers over time and gains strength to recuperate.

Here is what you need to keep in mind.

• During the first few weeks after surgery, you will need to eat low-fiber foods because those are low in roughage. It will allow your intestinal tract to recover without developing painful complications. Foods that you may need to avoid in this regard may include whole grains, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits.
• If you want to introduce new foods into your diet after surgery, do it slowly to monitor how your body reacts.
• Schedule your meals evenly throughout the day. Eat at regular intervals, and avoid skipping meals. Eat slowly and chew your food well. It will help your intestinal tract to absorb most of the nutrients.
• Over time, your intestinal tract will regain enough of its strength. It will allow you to eat a more normal diet. By that time, you would already have known which foods might be constipating, which might result in diarrhea, or which cause odor or gas. You may be able to eat what a normal person eats, but you may have to avoid carbonated drinks and fast foods.
• If your stool becomes too thick for an ileostomy, you can make some dietary changes to bring necessary changes to the stomal output. Foods that can contribute to stool thinning may include grape juice, prune juice, and apple juice. You may also eat cooked vegetables to get desired results.
• Increase your fluid intake to make up for the fluid loss that happens due to the evacuation of watery stomal output. You may need to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to avoid dehydration. Sip the fluids slowly to promote their effective absorption. Drinking pediatric electrolyte solutions will help you maintain healthy levels of electrolyte in your body.

Generally, you will need to eat foods that thicken your stool. There are, however, situations when your stool thickens too much. At that time, you may need to pay attention to the balance between the foods you eat and the amount of water you drink. If increasing the water intake is not helping, you may want to consult with your doctor or gastroenterologist, as you may need medical attention.