proctocolectomy and diet

About three months ago I had my colon removed, as recommend by my surgeon.  I had diverticulitis and diverticulosis throughout my colon.  I am left with five inches at the rectum, which is attached to the ilium.  I can't find a diet for this condition and am having a difficult time finding foods I can tolerate without causing excess bile, runny/watery stools and many trips to the bathroom.  All of this is complicated by a chronic irritation of my bottom.  I am using Ilex with petroleum jelly topically.  I am taking lomotal as needed.  I am gradually progressing from a low residue diet to one with increasing fiber.  Every day I spend a good part of my day in the bathroom having the movements which cause stinging, itching and irritation to the tissues surrounding my anus. Outside of that I mostly study my nutrition books and search the web for information. That's how I found this site.  Please help, with stories, suggestions etc.
                                                                                                       I will thank you immensly


This discussion is related to excess acid and bile.

[ayri]

hi foxy, please look up sherry brescia on the net, shes exactly what your looking for. cheers.

[Morecambe]

Hi - my experiences are not that different from yours.  Almost five years ago I underwent a total colectomy for torrential diverticular bleeding.  In response to another Medhelp patient I shared my experience on:-

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/523166

Over time the frequency of #2 toilet visits should decrease.  In the meantime I suggest you follow my suggestions as recorded in the above http posting and also eat a high fibre diet expecially preparations including bran and oats which help to "soak up" runny motions - a bit like throwing sawdust on a liquid spillage on the kitchen floor.

Good luck and do come back with any further questions

regards
Morecambe

[foxy456]

I was in the hospital just a few weeks ago with dehydration and blocked colon.  At this time my surgeon previously informed me that the blockage was caused from too much fiber and not enough water.  I felt like I was doing well and slowly progressing just before the big suprise . . . the blockage.  Well, today I saw my surgon for the follow-up visit from that hospitalization.  She said that the opening at the site of the surgery was two and a half centemeters in the beginning.  Now is has closed up to a mere eight millimeters. This, of course, explains the real reason for the blockage. Would you have any comments about that?
    My surgeon suggested 'stretching' the opening at some point, but also claimed it was risky.  She gave me a perscription for Questran, to help bind the bile acids. In the meantime I need to not necessairly increase OR decrease my fiber, but reach some kind of happy medium to keep a stool soft enough to go through that small opening.
    Do you know, or have you heard anything about s t r e t c h i n g.
    Thanks ahead of time for any comments you might have.     Foxy456

[Morecambe]

Hi - I'm afraid that intestinal stretching is something that is new to me.  In my previous posting I should also have mentioned "drink ~2 litres of water per day" in addition to the high fibre suggestions but of course the intestinal narrowing may supercede everything.

Good luck
Morecambe

[foxy456]

Your right. The narrow opening does supercede everything.  I am convinced of that after my visit with the dietition today.  It's a real balancing act of getting enough fiber to form a decent stool, but not so much that it compromises the movement through the opening.  There's also a problem of getting enough calories to even maintain my weight loss from 122 to 115 since the change.  The dietition called it a "dumping syndrome"; it occurs just as I begin my 2nd meal of the day.  So I/we have to figure it out.  May have something to do with an enzyme triggering this response, or the combination of foods, at that particular meal, or the way the food is prepared.  For instance, I can't eat a banana, outright, but if it is in a banana bread, it's fine.  Probably if I pureed it, it would be O.K. too (haven't tried that yet).  So it's all very complicated, and I'm sure you understand.
Thank you for responding.  If you'd like to know how I get this resolved, just keep writing.
It helps.                                                                foxey234