What is a good diet after colon surgery? Are probiotics good?

Posted by lynda48 @lynda48, Dec 30, 2020

My husband had almost his entire colon (5' of it) removed 8 months ago after diagnosis of Stage 3 colon cancer. There has been a problem with diarrhea ever since: 5 - 8 loose stools each day and the occasional accident when he does not make it to the "reading room" in time. Any suggestions for diet to (1) keep hydrated enough when there is no large bowel to absorb water (important since he also has only one kidney and diagnosis of moderate kidney disease) and (2) have firmer stools rather than chronic diarrhea. Dietitian has recommended that he drink lots of water for hydration and physician said he can take 8 tabs of Immodium daily plus Metamucil and eat lots of water-absorbing fibre (like bran buds instead of bran flakes) to reduce diarrhea. Increasing Immodium and Metamucil has helped a bit but still suffers from diarrhea on a daily basis. Any ideas??? Suggestions about foods he should avoid or foods he should eat?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Colorectal Cancer Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 18, 2023

In reply to @meixi "Colonrectal cancer resection surgery and colon ostomy recovery surgery." + (show)

Thanks for the additional information. As you prepare for your surgery, you may appreciate this related discussion:
- Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sigmoid-colon-resection-10282019/
As well as the discussions in the Ostomy Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/ostomy/

stouffer95 | @stouffer95 | Sep 25 3:15pm

I have sticky rice that I get at Costco or Amazon that I buy by the case. As soon as it starts my family heats it up for me and I add a tiny bit of salt for taste and it helps a lot. It’s sort of like plugging up one end of the pole to stop anything for coming out the other end. Good luck.

stouffer95 | @stouffer95 | Sep 25 3:17pm

It’s called Bibigo Sticky Rice.

terrydalecasino | @terrydalecasino | Sep 26 10:29pm

@terrydalecasino;
I had what is called an
ABDOMINAL PERINEAL RESECTION.
In other words I had my entire anus rectum and 8 milimeters of my SIGMOID COLON totally removed. I now have to wear a colostomy bag 🛍️ for the rest of my life. My life and diet has been changed also.
I recommend if you can?
Ask the doctor if he/she
could possibly prescribe a stool thickening powder called CHOLESTYRAMINE
for oral suspension, usp.
But it's IMPERATIVE that you get the one made by
SANDOZ, because the generic or off brand does not work as well.
You can get it in little (9) gram pouches or get the bulk container with 378g that makes 168g.
That and you also might consider getting, if your doctor will prescribe them,
Premade meals specifically
made and portioned out for colon surgery recovery.
They are made by;
Food R/x.
These two products helped me,
" TREMENDOUSLY "
I'll send photos of them later.

terrydalecasino | @terrydalecasino | Sep 26 10:35pm

In reply to @terrydalecasino "@terrydalecasino; I had what is called an ABDOMINAL PERINEAL RESECTION. In other words I had my..." + (show)

@terrydalecasino
I also recently had as of
04/19/24,
Robotic parastomal hernia repair with mesh and Enterotomy.

terrydalecasino | @terrydalecasino | Sep 26 10:45pm

@terrydalecasino
In the ABDOMINAL PERINEAL RESECTION, The surgeon removed (15) centimeters of my anus, rectum and 8 milimeters of my SIGMOID COLON where the cancer was. That and also a huge POLYP in the rectal area. Which is why I have the colostomy bag 🛍️ now.