Recovering from and adjusting to the implications of an ostomy surgery can be challenging for any individual and at the same time it is essential to maintain one’s health and resume one’s lifestyle in as active a way as possible.
Action Against Dehydration
After an ostomy procedure it is extremely detrimental to your health to allow yourself to become dehydrated. Keep a bottle or flask with you at all times and regularly refill it. Setting an alarm on your phone or having an app that tracks your water intake is helpful in ensuring the adequate amount of hydration is making its way to your body. Products like oral rehydration ones are good if you have become dehydrated due to physical exertion or the weather. Your urine at all times should be clear, as dark or cloudy urine is indicative of an underlying problem. Don’t be afraid of having to urinate frequently, go to places where a rest room is available to create ease and convenience for yourself.
Repair The Body
The early weeks of care after the surgery are vital for long term health and recovery so know that your nutritional requirements will now be vastly different from before. You may require more protein and fruits and vegetables to improve your immunity and to aid in muscle or tissue repair. Consult a nutritionist or your doctor to find out the kinds of foods you should be eating and then stick to that diet for optimum results. Keeping tabs on how your metabolism is behaving is helpful as it may change from how it was in the past and being wary of weight gain is imperative.
Avoid Weight Gain
Weight gain is everyone’s enemy in general, but it does you no favors right after an ostomy surgery. While post-surgery you may be leaning more towards a sedentary lifestyle try to incorporate some light exercise to begin with which you can then increase as you see fit. Even if you are using ostomy appliances to help you get by day to day, exercise will help you with recovery and will build muscle. Meticulously planning out your diet to include nutritious, low calorie foods as opposed to fatty ones will play a role in how fast and how well you adjust after the surgery.
On Top Of Digestive Issues
Digestive issues are much more problematic for patients that have undergone an ostomy surgery than they would be for the average person. Avoiding them and taking suitable precautionary measures such as eating fermented foods, maintaining personal and food related hygiene, and having a probiotic and other stomach-friendly supplement on a regular basis will help you keep on top of digestion problems. It is important to make a list of food items that have irritated you in the past or any allergies you may have as after a surgery like this, the effect of said food items may be worse as the body is more sensitive during its healing phase.
Conclusion: Live Well with Ostomy
For those living with an ostomy, making lifestyle changes to live a healthy and active life can help to ensure a better quality of life. This conclusion article reviews the best tips for achieving this goal.
The key to living well with an ostomy is having access to reliable medical care and support from family, friends and other people who understand the challenges associated with having an ostomy. In addition, eating healthy meals full of vitamins and minerals, getting enough sleep each night, staying physically active, being mindful of mental health needs such as stress relief or therapy sessions, and keeping up with regular check-ups are all important components for successful management of an ostomy.
Living well with an ostomy is achievable by following these tips and utilizing available resources such as local support groups or online networks.
