from me+ Contributor, Sarah Biggart

Fresh fruits and veggies are a regular part of my diet.
Through previous trial and error, I know there are some fruits and veggies I need to be careful of and some that I avoid. Salads and corn on the cob frequently appear on my plate. However, broccoli, kale and brussel sprouts, I eat sparingly.

As we all navigate life with an ostomy, we learn and gain knowledge along the way. Ostomy surgery allowed me to maintain my desired lifestyle. Food is such a central part of our society, with family gatherings and social outings often revolving around the table. Your ostomy should not deny you your seat at the table. 

Here are some general diet guidelines:

• Eat regularly
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Chew your food well
• After surgery, try new foods one at a time, in small quantities. If there is a problem (such as gas), you can make simple adjustments that work for you.
• Most importantly, enjoy your food!

If you have personal questions about diet and nutrition post-ostomy surgery, connect with your healthcare professional. 

Meet Sarah Biggart

After just having her son one year before, Sarah went in for surgery to have her colon and rectum removed. Her surgeon said they would try to perform a J-Pouch surgery, but that just was not possible which is why she ended up with an end ileostomy. After healing both physically and mentally from permanent ostomy surgery, she became involved in her ostomy community both locally and nationally and has been a staple part of Convatec's Ostomysecrets for over12 years.