Nutrition After J-Pouch Surgery

If you’ve had j-pouch surgery, pay attention to signs of bile acid malabsorption, like consistently oily stools, and watch out for a lack of vitamin B12. Since the whole colon is removed during j-pouch surgery, staying well hydrated is super important for recovery. Adding salt to your food can help with hydration, and eating foods with a lot of potassium, like potatoes and bananas, can also keep your body hydrated. Ask your surgeon or dietitian how much fluid you specifically need to support your recovery.

Certain probiotics have been found to help with a kind of inflammation called chronic-relapsing pouchitis in the j-pouch. However, there isn’t much evidence to show that probiotics can prevent pouchitis, so they might not be needed for everyone with a j-pouch. On the other hand, eating fruits might play a protective role in preventing inflammation in the intestines for people with a j-pouch. (10,15)