Below we have created a step-by-step guide for men who are performing ISC procedure, to help them empty their bladder in their own surroundings and support them in their everyday life.

Stoma dietary advice

After your stoma surgery you may discover that your appetite has reduced, but it is important to eat little and often to help your recovery after your surgery.

If you have recently had surgery and an ileostomy formed, particular foods will alter the consistency of your stoma output, therefore what you eat plays an important part in controlling the output. After you've had stoma surgery, you should aim for a porridge-like output consistency, which can be easier to manage, reducing the risk of leaks occurring and issues with dehydration.

Adjusting to eating with a stoma can feel daunting at first, but most people find that, with a little time and the right guidance, they can return to enjoying a varied and nutritious diet. The advice below is designed to support you at each stage of your recovery - from the early days after surgery through to long-term everyday eating.

 

Early day diet tips

After your stoma surgery, you are likely to have lost weight. With this in mind, it is important to have a well-balanced diet and maintain a healthy calorie intake as this will aid the healing process. In addition to your normal daily diet, we highly recommend including certain foods to help you recover:

• Full fat cheese & milk
• Foods that are high protein (e.g tender meat, eggs & fish)
• Double cream - to add to puddings, mashed potato & soup
• Snacking biscuits & cakes
• Drink fluids regularly to avoid dehydration (avoiding plain water, try adding cordial or isotonic drinks)

It’s normal for your appetite to fluctuate in the weeks following surgery. Try not to force large meals - smaller, more frequent eating throughout the day is often better tolerated and helps your body absorb the nutrients it needs to heal.

 

What can I eat if I have a stoma?

Once you've built your diet back up, and this will depend on your particular stoma type, most people find they can return to eating and drinking what they enjoyed before surgery.

In the early weeks, though, it's worth taking a more cautious approach, as some foods that were easy to digest before your surgery may affect you differently now. It may be helpful to pay extra attention right after your surgery, so be aware of any digestive issues you are experiencing such as changes to your output, bloating and abdominal cramps.

A useful approach is to keep a simple food diary in the first few weeks after surgery. By noting what you eat and any changes to your output, you'll be able to identify patterns more easily and share helpful information with your Stoma Care Nurse if needed.

 

Foods that may affect your stoma output

While most people with a stoma can enjoy a wide range of foods, some are known to have a noticeable effect on output, wind, or odour. Everyone’s digestive system is different, so these won’t affect everyone in the same way - but it’s worth being aware of them, especially in the early stages after surgery.

Foods that may loosen output: Spicy food, fried food, and high-sugar drinks can cause looser output.

Raw fruit and vegetables, particularly with skins on: These are a common cause of blockages, especially with an ileostomy, as the skin and fibre are harder to digest. They can also make ileostomy output looser and faster. We'd recommend peeling and cooking fruit and vegetables thoroughly, especially in the early weeks.

Foods that may thicken output (ileostomy): Bananas, white rice, white bread, plain pasta, marshmallows, and peanut butter.

If you find a particular food consistently causes problems, simply reduce or avoid it for a while and try reintroducing it in smaller amounts later on. Your Stoma Care Nurse can offer personalised guidance if you’re finding certain foods difficult to manage.

 

What can’t I eat if I have a stoma?

Most foods aren't off-limits with a stoma. If you have a colostomy, there's generally no need to restrict what you eat, though your output may vary in consistency at first and can take some time to settle.

If you have an ileostomy, a few foods need extra care, especially high-fibre foods like mushrooms, sweetcorn, celery and skin on fruit and vegetables in the early weeks. These can be harder to digest and may increase the risk of a blockage. To reduce this, chew all food thoroughly and cook vegetables until soft.

 

What are the best fruit & vegetables to eat?

You'll still need to get your five-a-day. If you have a colostomy, you can generally eat fruit and vegetables as you did before surgery, including skins, unless you notice they cause you problems.

If you have an ileostomy, it's worth preparing fruit and vegetables more carefully. Tough skins can be hard to digest and may increase the risk of a blockage, so it's best to peel fruit and vegetables such as potatoes and apples. You may also find it easier to prepare them in different ways, for example:

• Make soups
• Blend fruit into a smoothie
• Sweat vegetables (cook quickly to soften them)
• Mash root vegetables

Well-cooked or blended vegetables are a great way to keep a varied, nutritious diet while managing your output. As your confidence grows and your bowel recovers, you'll likely find you can gradually reintroduce more textures over time.

 

Staying hydrated with a stoma

Hydration is especially important if you have an ileostomy. Because part of the bowel has been removed or bypassed, your body may absorb less fluid than before, making dehydration a real risk, particularly during hot weather, illness, or periods of increased physical activity. If you have a colostomy, your fluid needs are generally similar to before your surgery, but it's still worth staying alert to the signs of dehydration below.

If you have an ileostomy, aim to drink around 8 glasses or mugs of fluid per day. It's worth knowing that plain water on its own isn't always the best choice, as drinking large amounts can actually flush out sodium and other salts your body needs, and may increase your output. To help replace both fluids and electrolytes, opt for isotonic sports drinks, or add a little cordial or squash to your water. Other helpful options include flat full-sugar fizzy drinks, ice chips, or juice-based lollies.

Salt also plays an important role in fluid absorption for people with an ileostomy. Including a little extra salt in your daily diet. through salty snacks, Bovril, or Marmite on toast, can help your body retain fluids more effectively. If you have been advised to restrict salt due to another medical condition, speak to your Stoma Care Nurse or GP before making any changes.

Signs that you may be dehydrated include:

• Increased thirst
• A dry mouth
• Weakness or lethargy
• Dark-coloured urine

If you experience these symptoms and they don't improve with increased fluid intake, contact your GP or Stoma Care Nurse.

 

Ongoing Dietary Advice

• Eat regularly and drink fluids throughout the day
• Include high-protein foods in your meals, such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, cheese or yoghurt
• Include carbohydrates at each meal, such as pasta, bread, rice, potatoes and breakfast cereals
• Include dairy or a lower-fat alternative two to three times a day for calcium

If you have a colostomy, you shouldn't need to restrict your diet long-term. If you have an ileostomy, your diet will usually open up gradually as you settle into life with your stoma.

 

Managing common digestive issues with a stoma

People with either a colostomy or an ileostomy may experience some of the same digestive issues they had prior to surgery, as well as some new ones. These are generally very manageable with the right dietary adjustments and, if necessary, advice from your Stoma Care Nurse.

 

When to seek support

Eating well after stoma surgery is something most people adjust to over time, but there are occasions when changes to your diet or output may indicate something that needs professional attention. You should contact your GP, Stoma Care Nurse, or call NHS 111 if you experience any of the following — whichever you can reach quickest

• A sudden or significant change in your stoma output that doesn't improve within 24–48 hours
• Signs of dehydration that don't resolve with increased fluid and salt intake
• Persistent bloating, abdominal cramping, or swelling that doesn't settle
• A complete or near-complete stop in output, which may indicate a blockage
• Unexplained weight loss or a significant reduction in appetite over several weeks
• Nausea or vomiting alongside changes to your stoma output

If you're not sure whether what you're experiencing is normal, it's always better to seek advice sooner rather than later. Your Stoma Care Nurse is a specialist resource and is there to support you - not just in the early days after surgery, but at every stage of life with a stoma.

For further help and guidance, you can also explore the stoma support groups and networks available to you, or contact the Medilink team directly.

 

Male Catheterisation Procedure

This information is a guide and you will be supervised when performing ISC for the first time.

Step 1: Ensure you have washed your hands and genital area.

Step 2: Prepare your catheter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 3: Adopt the position you have chosen that allows you to comfortably catheterise and hold the catheter with your ‘dominant’ hand (usually the hand you write with).

Step 4: Gently pull your foreskin back if you have one. Hold your penis up towards your stomach. In this position, your urethra is extended and becomes U-shaped, making it easier to guide the catheter into your bladder. Do not squeeze your penis too hard as this can block the opening of your urethra.

Step 5: Gently insert the catheter into the urethra until it reaches the bladder and urine starts to flow. If you bend the catheter before the flow starts, this will avoid spillage.

Step 6: Once urine flows make sure to hold the catheter in this position until the flow of urine has completely stopped. The urine can be drained into the toilet, a container or into a collection bag if one is supplied with your catheter.

Step 7: Once the flow has stopped, gently and slowly withdraw the catheter. You may notice a slight trickle of urine whilst withdrawing the catheter, this is quite normal.

Step 8: Dispose of the catheter using the provided disposal bag. Important: Remember, catheters must not be flushed down the toilet.

Step 9: Wash your hands.