This information is only for ileostomy patients.
After surgery, you will need to drink one full oral rehydration solution (ORS) recipe every day until follow-up with your surgeon.
Remember to fill out an intake and output worksheet (PDF) daily after discharge to make sure you are getting enough fluids. Please bring these worksheets with you to your first follow-up appointment.
Orange juice base
¾ tsp salt
8 tsp sugar
1 cup unsweetened orange juice without pulp
4½ cups of water
Gatorade base
Choose any flavor, except red
2 cups Gatorade
2 cups water
½ tsp salt
Grape juice base
½ cup juice
3½ cups water
½ tsp salt
Apple juice base
1 cup of juice
3 cups of water
½ tsp salt
Randy's rehydration drink
1½ tsp salt
2 tbsp + 2 tsp sugar
4 cups Sprite Zero™
2 envelopes of orange or lemon sugar-free drink flavoring mix
Please be aware that carbonated (soda, seltzer) drinks will increase gas in your appliance.
World Health Organization ORS Recipe
3/8 tsp salt (sodium chloride)
¼ tsp Morton Salt Substitute® (potassium chloride)
½ tsp baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
2 tbsp + 2 tsp sugar
Add tap water to make 1 liter
Optional: NutraSweet or Splenda-based flavoring of choice to taste
Drip Drop
In the hospital, you were provided pre-mixed Oral Rehydration Solution in the form of “Drip Drop”. This is a brand name electrolyte solution. This is available at stores or online (Walgreens, Walmart, Amazon, etc.). If you prefer this solution, please mix per packet instructions and drink 4 cups per day.