Avoiding bowel movements at all

[pmak]

I was once in the hospital for a few weeks, and I didn't have any food but I had an IV providing nutrients to my body. During that time, I didn't have any bowel movements; I only needed to urinate.

Are there health drinks that one can consume exclusively, that will nourish the body adequately without causing bowel movements?

[Kathy_from_England]

Hi Pmak,
Yes, there is a liquid drink available on prescription - my husband was on it quite recently.

Can I ask, though, why you want to avoid bowel movements?

[pmak]

The theory would be that without bowel movements, there would be no mess to deal with as a result of the colostomy. But I'm not sure whether that's healthy for the long term (and I'm assuming that eating food is seen as a necessity rather than a pleasure).

[Kathy_from_England]

No, it wouldn't be a good idea to use the liquid food as a total replacement.

Are you having problems with your colostomy? If so, please ask us!

[Eliza]

Pmak,

You might not be able to prevent output, but you could have some control over it. If you have a colostomy, it might be possible for you to "irrigate". I have a colostomy which I irrigate every other day. It takes 30 - 45 minutes to clear out my colon and then I am completely output free for two days. I don't even need to wear a bag.

If this is something you might be interested in, talk with your doctor or ET. There is lots of online support for you too.

Eliza

[Jason_D]

As far as Im aware such drinks are only short term substitutes and not designed to be a replacement for food indefinitely.

To exist on such drinks indefinitely would require hospital/medical supervision, and maybe even admission so output could be monitered.

(This is based on what I've witnessed at Londons bowel specialist hospital - St Marks.)

Buh bye now,

Jason D (29, uk)
webmaster and colostomist.
www.ostomy.fsnet.co.uk