Ileostomies & Colostomies
(Stomas)
Stomas are formed when your colon (large bowel) or rectum is removed. Some people have an ileostomy which means they have had their whole colon removed. Others have a colostomy, meaning they have had part of their colon or their rectum removed.​
​Eating and Drinking With a Stoma
If you have a stoma, or are going to have one formed, you will have a lot of questions about how this will affect your eating and drinking and how your eating and drinking will affect your stoma output!
​
Eating well with a stoma requires a delicate balance between trying to be healthy while also trying to manage your stoma output. Sometimes, there things feel like they’re in conflict.
​
How We Can Help: Meet Our Specialist Dietitians
Dr. Bridgette Wilson
Dr. Wilson is a gut specialist clinical and research dietitian with a wealth of clinical dietetic experience both in the NHS and private healthcare. Her award-winning PhD research on the Low FODMAP diet and Prebiotics in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Ulcerative Colitis has given her a great depth of knowledge to help you attain good symptom control.
Sophie Medlin
Sophie has worked with people with ileostomies and colostomies for decades. She consultants for Coloplast and Convatec as well as teaching on stoma care masters programmes for nurses. If you’re struggling to manage your stoma output or you have a stoma and you’re worried that your diet isn’t as healthy as you’d like it to be, Sophie can help.
Pooja Dhir
Pooja Dhir is a registered specialist dietitian who has worked as a senior manager in the NHS, specialising in upper gastrointestinal and surgery. She has worked in acute hospitals, both inpatients and outpatients and has written articles for the leading medical nutrition CN magazine and is published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
What to Expect From Your Stomas Consultation
Our dietitians will take time to thoroughly understand your medical and surgical history and will assess your diet. We will work with you to find a diet that manages your stoma output while promoting good long term health.
​
Typically, this will involve three sessions, for example:
​​
Session 1: Assessment and dietary modifications
​​
Session 2: Assessment of progress and reintroduction of foods to establish tolerance
​
Session 3: Long term nutritional management and healthy eating
​If tests or treatments are needed, Sophie will liaise with your consultant or GP.
​
Pricing
For people with a stoma, we offer three appointments for £330, saving £30.
Testimonials
​
"I was super lucky to work with Sophie. I live in Canada and struggled to find a dietitian with expertise in stoma's, ileostomies, and ulcerative colitis. Prior to working with Sophie, I really struggled with food and had a limited diet. Thanks to Sophie's expertise and patience, I slowly but surely have found foods that I can manage and I now have dietary approaches that allow me to better manage high output, blockages, and living a balanced life. Thank you so much Sophie!"
"Loved my appointments with Sophie! I have been able to introduce a huge variety of vegetables in my diet, and don't need to touch the low FODMAP diet the stoma nurses told me to follow."