Ostomy: Adapting to life after colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy

I had complete complete colostomy 46 years You can do anything you want to do For eating you got to try different foods and lots of water I empty my bag about 4 or 5 times a day Hope you have good luck with your like I did

I had my total colectomy 57 years ago. You should have no limitations
You will be able to swim as much as you desire. There are no restrictions.
Some foods you eat take longer to digest. For example, when I eat my bowl of oatmeal with blueberries, apples, almond butter and sesame seeds in it every day, which has a lot of fiber, it will take 3-4 hours to digest through my system. You just have to experiment what foods work their way through your system more than others. Additionally, one has a large amount of small intestines, so its not like what you consume goes through your system immediately.

Vitamin D is absorbed in the SMALL intestines, as are the majority of nutrients. In fact, the main function of the LARGE intestines is to absorb water and electrolytes. The only vitamin you may need to supplement via a monthly injection (and you can give this to yourself at home) is B-12, as B12 is absorbed in the ilium, which you may have removed with an ileostomy.

I cannot stress enough the importance of staying hydrated. I learned the hard way. When I was working, I was drinking too much coffee and not enough water and that caught up with me over 55 ;years when my kidneys failed due to chronic mild dehydration. I was lucky enough to get a kidney transplant 1.5 years ago. So, drink more than the amount required of a person who has not undergone this surgery. I drink 2.5 -3 liters per day with electrolytes in it. With an ileostomy you lose a lot of your body's electrolytes.

Wow- 3 liters of water you must drink non stop? Scary and sorry to hear you lost a kidney.
Does the bag stay on if in the pool an hour or more? I love to swim and that would be life changing to give up. I am sure suppliers tell you it works just want to know from someone who really swims with ostomy the truth. And I have super sensitive skin, could never tolerate any adhesives. Always need to wrap wounds with Ace & bandages. So not sure if I’d tolerate a bag adhesive. It’s giving me nightmares as I’ve had sling breakdown with any bandages

Thank you for your reply. Are you able to swim and maintain good seal? If so what supplier do you use? Online or in store purchase? Trying to prepare mentally and financially

Wow- 3 liters of water you must drink non stop? Scary and sorry to hear you lost a kidney.
Does the bag stay on if in the pool an hour or more? I love to swim and that would be life changing to give up. I am sure suppliers tell you it works just want to know from someone who really swims with ostomy the truth. And I have super sensitive skin, could never tolerate any adhesives. Always need to wrap wounds with Ace & bandages. So not sure if I’d tolerate a bag adhesive. It’s giving me nightmares as I’ve had sling breakdown with any bandages

Thank you for your reply. Are you able to swim and maintain good seal? If so what supplier do you use? Online or in store purchase? Trying to prepare mentally and financially

Wow- 3 liters of water you must drink non stop? Scary and sorry to hear you lost a kidney.
Does the bag stay on if in the pool an hour or more? I love to swim and that would be life changing to give up. I am sure suppliers tell you it works just want to know from someone who really swims with ostomy the truth. And I have super sensitive skin, could never tolerate any adhesives. Always need to wrap wounds with Ace & bandages. So not sure if I’d tolerate a bag adhesive. It’s giving me nightmares as I’ve had sling breakdown with any bandages

I had my total colectomy 57 years ago. You should have no limitations
You will be able to swim as much as you desire. There are no restrictions.
Some foods you eat take longer to digest. For example, when I eat my bowl of oatmeal with blueberries, apples, almond butter and sesame seeds in it every day, which has a lot of fiber, it will take 3-4 hours to digest through my system. You just have to experiment what foods work their way through your system more than others. Additionally, one has a large amount of small intestines, so its not like what you consume goes through your system immediately.

Vitamin D is absorbed in the SMALL intestines, as are the majority of nutrients. In fact, the main function of the LARGE intestines is to absorb water and electrolytes. The only vitamin you may need to supplement via a monthly injection (and you can give this to yourself at home) is B-12, as B12 is absorbed in the ilium, which you may have removed with an ileostomy.

I cannot stress enough the importance of staying hydrated. I learned the hard way. When I was working, I was drinking too much coffee and not enough water and that caught up with me over 55 ;years when my kidneys failed due to chronic mild dehydration. I was lucky enough to get a kidney transplant 1.5 years ago. So, drink more than the amount required of a person who has not undergone this surgery. I drink 2.5 -3 liters per day with electrolytes in it. With an ileostomy you lose a lot of your body's electrolytes.

Thank you for your reply. Are you able to swim and maintain good seal? If so what supplier do you use? Online or in store purchase? Trying to prepare mentally and financially