Tips to Choose an Ostomy Bag

The malfunctioning of your urinary or GI tract could result in the doctor opting to give you an ostomy. An ostomy is a hole in the abdomen that bypasses the natural excretory pathway. There are three types of ostomy, two of which are related to the gastrointestinal tract, and one is related to the urinary tract. Two of the ostomy types associated with the GI tract are the ileostomy and colostomy, while one type of ostomy that passes out urine from the body is the urostomy. An ostomy, no matter what type, has the sole purpose of saving your life.

After surgery, you will have an opening in the abdomen. This opening is known as the stoma. A stoma is the piece of a small or large intestine sticking out of your abdominal wall. It is sutured to the abdominal skin to avoid further protrusion or retraction.

A crucial part of the ostomy management regimen is to take care of your stoma and the skin around it. The health of your stoma and peristomal skin plays a vital role in how well an ostomy bag remains connected to this area.

One of the most important things to consider here is the type of bag you are using. The stomal output differs based on the type of ostomy you have. With the urostomy, you will have to deal with the stomal output from your kidneys. On the other hand, a colostomy or ileostomy results in the stomal output from the digestive tract. You have to make sure that the ostomy bag you use is perfectly capable of helping you to deal with the bodily waste that your stoma evacuates. That said, the type of ostomy bag may differ based on the type and nature of your stomal output.

We will explore different types of ostomy bags in the remaining part of this article.

One-piece ostomy bag

A one-piece ostomy bag comes with the pouch and the skin barrier already conjoined. That means if you need to change the pouch, you are going to have to detach the entire pouching system, including the skin barrier, from the peristomal skin. This bag remains flat with the abdominal skin, making it the right option for people who love to engage in sports. Typically, a one-piece ostomy bag is a right option for the people with a colostomy that generates more firm stool.

Two-piece ostomy bag

A two-piece ostomy bag comes with the pouch and the skin barrier as two different entities. First, you are going to have to attach the skin barrier around the stoma with the peristomal skin. Then you will have to connect the pouch with the skin barrier. The most significant benefit of this ostomy bag is that it allows you to change the pouch without taking the skin barrier off from the skin. This ostomy bag is ideal if you have to deal with more frequent and unpredictable waste evacuations.

Closed-end ostomy bags

A closed-end ostomy bag comes with a sealed bottom, meaning that you are going to have to discard it after a single-use.

Drainable ostomy bag

A drainable ostomy bag allows you to empty the contents in it for reuse. This ostomy bag is ideal for people who want more accessibility with their pouching systems.

Tips to Change Your Ostomy Pouch

Carrying an ostomy pouch anywhere you go is nothing less than a challenge. But it is a challenge only until you get used to this routine. As soon as you will get used to this new routine, you will not find it challenging anymore.

Here is a simple guideline on how to change your ostomy pouch.

First of all, wash your hands.
You first need to set all of your equipment out within an easy reach on the bathroom’s countertop. Items that you may need here include an old bath towel, Kleenex tissues, plastic bag, washcloth, clean bath towel, pencil and stoma measuring device, scissors, a skin barrier wafer, moldable skin barrier wafers, stoma paste, new pouch, a tail closer if you are using a drainable pouch, hair dryer, and a swivel make up mirror.
You need to empty your pouch rather than rinsing it out. That’s because rinsing can affect its ability to remain attached. And if you have got an advice regarding rinsing your pouch, you need to ignore it. You can empty your pouch while sitting comfortably on the toilet.
A skin barrier is just like a tape which is attached to the body. To remove this tape, push the skin near the tape in inward direction while holding that edge of the tape between your fingers. Then pull away the tape from the skin. Make sure that you are pulling the barrier away from the skin slowly. You should not need an adhesive remover if your skin is normal and the barrier can be removed easily. But if the adhesive is too strong or your skin is irritated, you must use the adhesive remover. Adhesive remover spray is a better option because it doesn’t leave the residue.
Old pouch, wafer and other wastes should be put away in the plastic bag for disposal. Make sure that you are not throwing away the tail clip because it remains valuable with the new pouching systems. It would be great if the bag’s color is black. Ostaway x-bag is the perfect option because it is black, leak-proof and odor proof.
Clean the skin around your stoma with washcloth and warm water. You can also take shower at this point if you prefer bathing without a pouch attached with your stoma. Don’t worry about the waste coming out of the stoma while you are taking bath.
You can dry the skin with Kleenex tissue. And for better results, use a hair dryer on a low setting.

Now is the time to measure your stoma. To have a better view, use the makeup mirror. You can place the mirror on countertop in such a way that your stoma becomes easily visible through that mirror. Measuring your stoma is important if it is not settled to a proper shape. The change in shape keeps happening for about ten weeks after the ostomy surgery. You shouldn’t have any problem in measuring your stoma if it is in circular shape. But if it is in over shape, you are going to have to take two measurements; i.e. from both short and long diameters.

Use that measurement to trace the correct shape and size of your stoma on the back of the wafer. You can use scissors to cut the hole.
Remove paper from the skin barrier and start applying it slowly and carefully over the stoma. You can look at the magnifying side of the glass to see if you are applying the barrier right according to measurements. The skin in which the barrier has to be placed needs to be flatter.

Tips To Maintain Healthy Peristomal Skin

It is very important to make sure that your persitomal skin, the skin around your stoma, is healthy. And for that purpose, there are a few tips that may be very helpful.

Bath and shower

There shouldn’t be any issue with bathing and showering. You can go ahead with this important part of your physical hygiene in the normal way just like you had been doing before the surgery. Also, it’s up to you whether or not you want to bathe with the pouch on. You are going to have to avoid oil-based and moisturizing soaps because they can leave soap residue, which is not good for your stoma. It may be worth remembering that soap and water do not flow into your stoma and damage it; so it is not something to worry about.

A well-fitted ostomy barrier

The fitting of skin batter upon the skin around your stoma is one of the most important things you have to take into consideration. You don’t want the stomal output to get into contact with your skin because it can cause irritation. A well-fitted skin barrier prevents this unwanted contact.
It is important to measure the size of your stoma before you apply skin barrier. You will be able to learn about this measuring from your ostomy care nurse who will teach you about the right way to use the measuring device to accurately determine the size of your stoma. Based on this measurement, you can select a cut-to-fit, pre-cut or moldable skin barrier.
Your stoma is going to change its shape for 10 weeks after the surgery. Therefore, you will have to measure your stoma periodically.
Certain factors or actions that can cause changes in your abdomen such as pregnancy, exercise, weight loss/gain and certain medical conditions may lead you needing a new pouching system.

Changing the pouching system

Change of pouching system can be done at the time of your preference. But yes, you are going to have to schedule this regular practice. The primary purpose of pouch change scheduling is the prevention of adhesive erosion which can let the urine or feces to come in contact with the skin, leading to the skin irritation. You can discussion about this scheduling with your doctor or ostomy care nurse.
While changing the pouch, make it a habit to look at the skin around your stoma. Check if there is any redness or irritation in that peristomal skin. If there appears to be any such issue, you need to notify your ostomy care team.
Ripping or tearing off the kin barrier can damage your peristomal skin. Barrier removal is a procedure that requires gentle approach. Begin removing skin barrier from one corner and slowly remove the remaining adhesive. If the adhesive doesn’t seem to lose hold of the skin easily, you can use adhesive releaser spray or remover wipes.
It has to be ensured before attaching the new pouching system that your skin is completely dry. That will help ensure a better seal.

Pole vaulting with an ostomy

When I was going into high school, I had a few friends who kept mentioning a sport called pole vaulting. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I was interested. Growing up, I was a pretty active child. I loved to be outside with my friends playing football, soccer, and other sports and activities. I played on a soccer team from fourth grade to eighth grade. I never thought I would do a sport that required flinging myself over a bar with a pole.

As I entered high school, I had a few friends talking about a sport called pole vaulting, and they said I should try it. Being my first year, I wanted to try many different things out and meet a lot of new people. I began with football, where I played as a running back and cornerback. I enjoyed it for the most part until I got severely injured. During a game, I was in as running back. The quarterback gave the play, and we lined up, ready to tun it. When he said hike, he passed it to me, and I run up through the hole the defensive line created. As soon as I got through, I made it about ten yards before getting blindsided and hit in the front all at the same time. This hit was terrible. Both of their shoulder pads hit in the same spot, and I knew something was wrong as I was falling to the ground before I passed out.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital, where a doctor spoke to my parents about the severity of my injuries. He told me I had a concussion and ruptured the intestine. I would need a temporary colostomy procedure to help. After the procedure, I was told football was off the table, and the thought of pole vaulting came to mind. I told the doctor about my plans, and he said it would be fine so long as I don’t land on my front and don’t wear my bag when I’m jumping as the movement would be hard due to the bag. When I got back to school a few weeks later, I signed up for pole vaulting, and the first practice was a few weeks later.

Before practice, I made sure I did not need to use the bathroom before removing my ostomy bag. When my coach explained how to do everything, I gave it a shot and turned out to be more or less a natural. I could tell why my doctor told me to take the bag off because the movement would have been strenuous with it on. There would have been a restriction of my movement and reach. My coach was so proud of me for being able to do it so well my first time. I went on to win a few meets that year: today, I’m a senior, and it’s almost my last meet. I got approached by a recruiter and was offered a full ride, so I think my pole vaulting days are not done yet. I’m also getting the ostomy reverted soon, so I’m very excited about that.

Growing up, I never saw myself doing a sport that required me to fly in a sense. I am so glad my friends put me on this sport; it has been a real treat and an excellent way to keep me distracted from my situation. Only a few people on the team know about my ostomy, and they are all amazed at what I can do. I am excited to keep pole vaulting in college with a full ride where I can learn to be a doctor and help people like me in the future.

Summertime with a Stoma

It’s almost that time of year again. When the leaves are green, the tank tops come out, the iced tea is being poured, and summertime is underway. Ok well maybe not almost, but it is starting too slowly warm up outside. (And hey if you live in the south, summer will be there in like…two weeks!) Even though summer is still a few months away, it’s never too early to start planning. Especially when you have a stoma, and even more so if you’ve never experienced a summer with a stoma. Let me tell you, it’s no 4^th of July picnic that’s for sure. But it doesn’t have to be miserable. You just need to know a couple things before the fireworks start.

First of all, if you’ve just had ostomy surgery the best thing you can do is take your time and heal. That should be your first and foremost priority. Once the healing process takes place, you then need to go through an adjustment period. Things are different now. You no longer do certain things the way you used too. And hey, that’s ok. It just takes a little time getting used too. Just make sure you’re speaking out when you’re feeling down, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You need all the love and support you can get.

Once you’ve gone through that initial adjustment phase and you’re at a point where you’ve embraced the new normal (or as much as one really can), now it’s time to look to the future. Summer. When you can’t hide that pouch (and maybe a pooch…ahem that’s me) under a baggy sweater anymore. Instead, you have the t-shirts, tank tops, and those cute little summer dresses to choose from. But don’t freak out! There are ways you can hide the pouch. One method that has helped for me is by going to an online clothing retailer that makes specially clothing for people like you and me. There are these nifty little bands that you can put over the top of the pouch that act almost like Spanx would, and it has a smoothing effect that helps to make it disappear under your shirt. Plus, this is great for also keeping it in place when you’re running around doing all those fun summertime activities.

Another thing to plan for during summertime is water time. After all, what’s summer without a pool, lake, or beach? And despite what you might think, your stoma and pouch are totally water friendly. There are just a couple things to watch out for. The first one is you want to make sure before going in water that you check the seal and your baseplate. Make sure everything is sticking and is tight. Otherwise, it can leak. It’s also good to empty out your pouch before diving in. Also, like with the band, it’s good to have a tighter swimming suit (thankfully they’ve finally mad one pieces cute) that way everything stays in place. And if you plan on being in the water fairly often, just be regularly changing out your pouch, so again the adhesion doesn’t fail.

Summertime doesn’t have to be a scary time when you have a stoma. On the contrary it can be an amazing time. You just need to do a little pre planning before you’re ready to do some suntanning (sorry couldn’ help it) in order for you to have a rockin’ summer!