My dad (age 75) had his colon resected again on June 1 (he has been living with a colostomy for 24 years and had been cancer-free until this spring), and is experiencing a lot of gas for some reason over the last 2 weeks. The pain was so bad last night that my brother had to take him to the emergency room, where he was given some pain meds. He finally "popped", and got things moving again so they sent him home. Is there a "colostomy diet" that he should be on? His surgeon did not mention any restrictions. Any info would be appreciated- Thanks-

There is no special colostomy diet.

I have found that it is very important to make sure that I get enough liquids to keep things moving. Fiber is important for this too but in my opinion liquids is more important.

Gas can be a problem too both as your father found when not being able to pass it and the fact that it fills the pouch and has top be relieved often.

I find that the product Beano helps. I often take several with a meal. You are to take one tablet for every serving of gas producing veggies. This includes oinions, peppers,broccolli, cauliflower, cabbage, and all beans.

Peas are not too bad and neither are potatoes.

GasX is another anti-gas product but this only works on gas that is in the stomach. Once it gets beyond that GasX has little effect.

One other thing that I find really helps reduce gas is making sure that I chew my food thoroughly. This helps it digest better before it enters the colon. Beano is an disgestive enzyme, it has to come in contact with the material to have any effect. If the chunk is large enough it may pass a long way down before it is disgested enough for the enzyme to come into contact with the center of that solid so it gets to the colon still partially undisgested where normal bowel flora can act on it and produce gas.

Your Dad is 75 so exercise is possibly a problem but if he can go for a 10 minute walk every day that also helps move things along.

Hi Marielle - Lots of great suggestions from Jaydees. Sometimes it can take a few months for the intestine to settle after surgery. My sensitive system took more than a year before a new regular pattern was established. Everyone's system is different so it may take lots of trial and error to find what works best. I fnd that too much sugar gives me terrible gas, more so than fibre. Also make sure to not go too long without eating something. I find none of the OTC remedies work for me but lots of people find some very helpful. Also yogurt with active cultures a few times a day can be helpful and good to settle the intestines.

Hi Marielle - Lots of great suggestions from Jaydees. Sometimes it can take a few months for the intestine to settle after surgery. My sensitive system took more than a year before a new regular pattern was established. Everyone's system is different so it may take lots of trial and error to find what works best. I fnd that too much sugar gives me terrible gas, more so than fibre. Also make sure to not go too long without eating something. I find none of the OTC remedies work for me but lots of people find some very helpful. Also yogurt with active cultures a few times a day can be helpful and good to settle the intestines.


Yogurt!!! Good one. I knew I forgot something. I don't care for yogurt so I take acidopholus pills and they seem to help with digestion too.