Individuals scheduled for surgery have often experienced long periods of poor nutrition due to the inability to eat. Recent evidence shows that individuals who are having surgery when malnourished have increased post-operative risks. If you have lost weight, are struggling to eat, or perhaps find that you do not eat much protein, a discussion with your surgeon or a dietitian is warranted. Individuals who eat a vegan, vegetarian, and even a pescatarian diet may need added protein and vitamins for wound healing and improved post-surgical outcomes.

Unless you have kidney issues I would suggest increasing protein to your diet. This may be in the form of meat, fish, eggs or for those struggling to eat these a whey protein powder can be considered. "Although optimal protein intakes for surgery are currently not clearly defined, nonsurgical nutrition guidelines suggest that stressed patients should consume at least 1.2–2.0 g of protein/kg/d.22 Whey protein and casein are among the best quality proteins overall for muscle synthesis and to stimulate anabolism in patients with advanced cancer" (Wischmeyer et al., 2018)

References:
Wischmeyer, P. E., Carli, F., Evans, D. C., Guilbert, S., Kozar, R., Pryor, A., … Fiore, J. F. (2018). American Society for Enhanced recovery and perioperative quality initiative joint consensus statement on nutrition screening and therapy within a surgical enhanced recovery pathway. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 126(6), 1883–1895. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000002743

Before your surgery, a Nurse Specialized in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence or Stoma nurse will mark your abdomen, identifying the best place for the surgeon to place your stoma. The nurse will identify the rectus muscle; you will be asked to lie down, sit, and stand to determine the best place for the stoma location. The stoma nurse is looking for a flat area that you can see on your abdomen.

If you use a wheelchair, you must be marked in your wheelchair, as this will be the position in which you will be doing your ostomy changes. Seeing your stoma and having it located on a flat surface is essential for independence.

It will be either on your right or left side depending on the surgery. Ileostomy and urostomy are on your abdomen's right side, and a colostomy on the left side. Sometimes you will be marked on both sides as the decision as to which type of ostomy is needed may only be decided during the surgery. The final decision is ultimately that of the surgeon during the operation.

Hospital stays can vary depending on the type of surgery you will be having. They typically range from 3 - 7 days.