Advice after your nerve block for surgery
On this page…
Introduction
This leaflet provides advice on ways to reduce your stoma output. If you have any queries or concerns then please ask your doctor or stoma nurse for advice.
What is a high stoma output?
You may run into difficulties if your stoma output is more than a litre a day. You are likely to get dehydrated if your stoma output is more than 1500ml in a day. The shorter the length of functioning bowel to your stoma, the less time the gut has to absorb water, salt and food.
A high stoma output may occur if your stoma is newly formed, your bowel is affected by disease or treatment, or your bowel is shortened by formation of a temporary stoma (for example after pouch formation).
How would I recognise dehydration?
If you are dehydrated you may experience increased thirst, and a dry sticky mouth. You may feel lethargic, light headed, and pass small volumes of dark, strong smelling urine.
The colour of your urine is a good guide to see how well hydrated you are. A clear, pale yellow colour suggests good hydration whereas a more concentrated, dark yellow colour may indicate you are getting dehydrated. Please check the colour of your urine every day.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and feel dehydrated, please contact the Stoma Care department or your GP for further advice.
Guidance on reducing your stoma output
Drinking plain water will speed up your stoma, and cause you to lose more water and salt.
Your stoma output may be reduced by:
- Replacing water with sugary/salty drinks. Oral rehydration solutions are perfect for this (e.g., double strength Dioralyte, St Marks Solution)
- Increasing your salt intake
- Reducing your fibre intake
- Taking medication to reduce your output
How can I increase my salt intake?
- Using salt in cooking
- Adding table salt or red/brown sauce to your food
- Eating high salt foods like crisps, savoury biscuits and crackers, cheese, bacon, ham, smoked or tinned fish.
How can I reduce my fibre intake?
Fibrous foods are difficult to digest, and may increase your stoma output especially if eaten in large quantities or not properly chewed.
- White cereals are low fibre, e.g. white bread/pasta/rice, cornflakes, Rice Krispies
- If eating fruit, take small portions, and remove skins and seeds
- Avoid nuts and dried fruit
- Limit your intake of pulses (beans, chickpeas, lentils). Vegetarians are the exception to this rule, who should include one portion of pulses a day for protein.
When your stoma output settles, you may want to reintroduce some of these foods, but start with small portions, well-cooked, and chew them carefully.
Medications to slow your stoma down
Medicines like loperamide and codeine thicken up stoma output and reduce the volume. They are best taken 30 minutes before food. You may also be prescribed anti-secretory medicine such as omeprazole or ranitidine to reduce your stomach acid production.
What if I am losing weight?
- High protein foods will help to limit weight loss, and help to maintain muscle, e.g., meat, fish, quorn, tofu, full fat milk, cheese and yoghurts
- If your appetite is poor, take smaller and more frequent meals. These can be supplemented by snacks like crisps, biscuits, muffins, cakes and crumpets
- Fortify your meals: Add 4 tablespoons of skimmed milk powder to 1 pint of whole milk and use on cereals, puddings and in beverages. Add margarine, butter or grated cheese to vegetables, potatoes and soups. Try adding custard, double cream or ice cream to puddings for extra energy.
If you have a poor appetite, any difficulties with eating sufficient amounts of food, or continue to lose weight, then ask to be referred to a dietitian.
For further information
Help and advice can be found with the Stoma Care teams
Frimley: fhft.
Wexham: fhft.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Stoma care service.
About this information
Service:
Stoma care
Reference:
Y/057
Approval date:
1 March 2026
Review date:
1 March 2029
Click ‘show accessibility tools’ at the bottom of the page
Then click ‘select language’
Alternative formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to:
-
Change the text size
-
Adjust the font
-
Modify the colour contrast
-
Use the translate function
If you would like this information in another format, such as Braille, audio, or easy read, please speak to a member of staff.
You can also print as well as download as PDF using the “Print this page” button at the end of the page.
Staff will print a copy for you on request
Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.