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 | Jan 1, 2021

Hi @lynda48 and welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group here on Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like to bring in fellow members @jmccabe51 @virgo1952 @monicaeve @kathyoung @hopeful33250 @mouse1 @sundance6 @1943 and others into this conversation about diet to help with diarrhea after colectomy.

While we wait for others to chime in with their experiences and suggestions, you might appreciate reading this discussion:
- Sigmoid colon resection: What to expect for recovery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/sigmoid-colon-resection-10282019/

I found this information on this website: https://www.utmedicalcenter.org/medical-care/medical-services/procedures-treatments/colectomy/
The following foods are easy to digest and may decrease the amount and frequency of diarrhea:
applesauce
peanut butter
bananas
potatoes
boiled white rice
pretzels
bread or toast
sugar-free cereals (Cheerios, Total, Corn Flakes)
cheese
cream of rice
tapioca
cream of wheat
weak teas
fiber supplements (fiber wafer is best to bulk stools)
yogurt
marshmallows
pasta

Have you tried any of these foods?

lynda48 | @lynda48 | Jan 2, 2021

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @lynda48 and welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group here on Mayo Clinic Connect. I'd like..." + (show)

The BRATY diet (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast - w/o butter, Yogurt), long recommended for children if they have diarrhea,has been kept in mind; thus, breakfast is usually a half banana sliced on top of high fibre cereal. Interesting that you have cheese and pasta on the list because he does enjoy pasta with alfredo sauce and, come to think of it, that has been well tolerated (better than pasta and tomato sauce with meat). And he started craving peanut butter recently - had not made a peanut butter sandwich since our kids were in school but have started again for my 80-year-old spouse! Thanks, Colleen, so much. I will now check the website you recommended/

sdwf2314 | @sdwf2314 | Nov 17, 2021

what is a good diet is it safe to take probiotics after colon surgery

sdwf2314 | @sdwf2314 | Nov 17, 2021

In reply to @sdwf2314 "what is a good diet is it safe to take probiotics after colon surgery" + (show)

any ideas would be helpful he is 72 and very stubborn doesnt eat vegetables or fruit i think the probiotic would be good but i would like to know if it is a good idea and how to get him to take it

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 22, 2021

In reply to @sdwf2314 "any ideas would be helpful he is 72 and very stubborn doesnt eat vegetables or fruit..." + (show)

Welcome to the Colorectal Cancer group, @sdwf2314. You ask a very good question about diet post colon surgery. And are probiotics safe or advised? You'll see that I moved your question to a similar discussion that @lynda48 started.

I'm also tagging fellow members @pjebp @virgo1952 @jacob73 @lisag03 @burnt2acrisp @hanseron @kowalski @troyhenn22 @cdnmom @mkgdesigner @marcellesims @duckduck2020 @judy222 @monicaeve who may also have some tips to share regarding probiotics and diet.

While we wait for others to chime is, you may be interested in reading this older, related discussion:
- Dietary Changes Before and After Colon Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dietary-changes-before-and-after-colon-cancer/

sdwf, what does your husband like to eat?

sdwf2314 | @sdwf2314 | Nov 22, 2021

meat and potatoes sometimes white rice stew gravy some fried chicken and fried pork chops bacon breakfast sausage fried eggs scrambled mostly most everything fried grilled beef

ciebenton | @ciebenton | Jun 8, 2023

I've just had colorectal & intestinal surgery which kind of diets should I be doing

gigi4 | @gigi4 | Jun 9, 2023

Your doctor should have recommended foods to eat post surgery. Call him asap.

scolio | @scolio | Jun 9, 2023

In reply to @ciebenton "I've just had colorectal & intestinal surgery which kind of diets should I be doing" + (show)

By 'just had surgery', do you mean two days ago? Two weeks ago? Were you sent home with any written instructions? Do you have someone at your home who can help you?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 9, 2023

In reply to @ciebenton "I've just had colorectal & intestinal surgery which kind of diets should I be doing" + (show)

Welcome @ciebenton, to help answer your question and to connect you with others, I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- What is a good diet after colon surgery? Are probiotics good?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/diet-after-total-colectomy/

I agree with @gigi4 that you should contact your surgeon's office for recommendations on diet and a referral to a dietitian.

How long ago was your surgery? May I ask the reason for the surgery?