This leaflet includes important information about your recent referral to the specialist gastroenterology dietitian following a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional bowel disorder (FBD).

Prior to your appointment we recommend that you watch the following webinar:

Webinar 1: First Line Dietary Advice for IBS 

This 33-minute webinar is led by a specialist gastroenterology dietitians and will provide you with current and accurate guidance on dietary changes that you could make to improve your symptoms.  It also provides helpful handouts to support the advice in the webinar video.  This first line advice typically improves symptoms for most individuals with IBS/FBD if followed for a minimum of four weeks.

If your symptoms do improve after following the first line dietary advice and you do not feel it is necessary to keep the appointment, then please feel free to cancel it by contacting the number on your appointment letter.

However, if after following the first-line dietary advice your symptoms persist, or you feel that you would still benefit from an appointment with the specialist gastroenterology dietitian, the following information may help you prepare for your appointment and to get the most out of your time with the dietitian.

Please be in a quiet place so you can give the clinician your full attention and be prepared to answer personal information such as:

  1. Your height, weight, and recent weight history.
  2. Your bowel habits (including frequency, consistency, colour and urgency) and other symptoms.  Below is a link to a symptom evaluation form to help you with this.  Please complete this based on the symptoms you have experienced in the past 1 to 2 weeks. It is just to give a general overview as more specific details can be discussed at your appointment.
  3. Other medical conditions that you have
  4. Your current medications and any other supplements you may be taking.
  5. A detailed understanding of what you normally eat and drink including the timing, quantity and which foods potentially trigger symptoms.  Below is a 3-day food diary to help you record this information.
  6. General information about your lifestyle
  7. For women, it might also be helpful to record whether your symptoms change throughout your menstrual cycle.

Useful links