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Liquid Diet for Colostomy

According to the American Cancer Society, a colostomy is a procedure whereby a portion of the digestive tract is bypassed, and an artificial hole is created in the abdominal wall through which waste is passed. A colostomy is a fairly common procedure for individuals suffering from bowel cancer or other digestive difficulties such as colitis of Crohn's disease. While you should be able to return to your normal diet soon after the operation, the days immediately preceding and following the procedure are best spent on a clear liquid diet.

  1. Liquid Diet Before Colostomy

    • Follow a clear liquid diet in accordance with your surgeon's instructions in days leading up to your surgery. This will allow a majority of the resting waste in your digestive tract to pass, providing surgeons with a relatively unobstructed view of the environment, allowing the procedure to be completed with a minimum of risk or complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, while on the clear liquid diet to prepare for your colostomy, you should avoid eating any solid foods whatsoever, relegating yourself to only those liquids through which you can see. This includes broth, water, sports drinks, fruit juice, jello, honey or tea. Note that this does not include milk or any dark sodas like Pepsi or Coca Cola. Although difficult, while on this diet you will want to attempt to consume a normal amount of calories (at least 1,200 to 1,500 per day) to keep your strength and your weight up before surgery (unless you are expressly directly to lose weight).

    Liquid Diet Following Colostomy

    • A liquid diet will again be used following a colostomy to give your digestive system a break before making the transition back to solid food. This, however, need not be a clear liquid diet. You will have the option to include foods such as meal replacement drinks like Ensure or Boost, as well as protein shakes. You will also be permitted to eat plain soups, as well as small amounts of strained or well-pureed meat. This diet will continue for a week or two, after which you can make the jump back to solid meals and eventually return to your "normal" diet.

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