Stoma bags

Of you hold the bag in your hands before taking the plastic off .The heat will soften the bag  .,making it softer .Don't forget that it's new but don't be afraid of your Stoma as it feels no pain. .There is so much you can ask your Stoma nurse  ,write it all down they are great ,don't worry they will help even if it's the smallest thing . I have loop Stoma giving me 2 Stoma,s I've got names for them One is Boris and other one is Nicola  (Twins) .This group are great and very helpful .You will get through.Keep in touch.

1. Hi Three. The hospital gave me the clear fronted drainable pouches to take home but I was given the pouch recommended for my stoma by the stoma nurse who came to my house to mark the site of my stoma before my surgery. I would think you will have been set up with a delivery service for your stoma supplies. You can go online and order samples of any pouches from different companies. I'm with Securicare and they are really good. I had a home visit from my stoma nurse and a  follow up appointment at the clinic. (All pre Covid ). The stoma nurse will look at your stoma and check the sizing of the hole in your pouch. Once it reduces to it's normal size  your supplier will  cut them to size for you before delivery. Bleeding is normal. I had my colostomy July 2019 and still bleed a bit. My stoma  nurse says it's normal. Good luck with your recovery.
2. Love Kim xx

Hi Kim,

Thank you for your reply! With me, everything was done in a rush and no-one has yet fully explained anything, let alone stoma bags! In hospital the stoma nurse was lovely and maybe my 70year old brain just didn't take it in,! It seems as if they were really more concerned about me being able to handle the whole changing the bags myself, more than explaining! Or, as I say, it could be me! So much happened in a short space of time! I have had one visit from a stoma nurse and I'd I'm due one this week but it doesn't help me because I only have enough bags until tomorrow! Do you know if anywhere I could get some as an emergency? Also the stoma nurse in hospital ordered a supply from Fittleworth and I'm happy with them, but does she order again or do I? They are closed today of course!

You've put my mind at rest regarding the slight bleeding from the stoma too, thank you!  I have so many questions, I could write a book! I have District nurses coming in to dress a wound from an abscess every day, and I'm waiting for results from a PET and  CT scans! I had fantastic treatment in hospital but I really want someone to sit and explain everything to me!

Everyone on here is so supportive, it's nice just to be able to talk to others who understand!

Thanks again, love Moira x

Thank you Aldan,

I'm getting used to the stoma, it just I'm running out of the bags I had delivered from Fittleworth, ordered by the hospital, in fact I only have enough for today! The ones I was asking about were a sample from the same firm but with a more rigid plastic, where you cut to size! I'm sure the hospital stoma nurse said they would do the ordering, but how do I check when or IF I have an order due!

You're so right, this group and indeed everyone I've spoken to on the whole site, are lovely and very supportive! Thank you again,

love Moira x

Hi Moira. 

Glad to have been able to help. Regarding running out of pouches tomorrow, I found myself in a similar situation at the beginning. I rang the stoma nurse and she contacted the stoma nurse who was on duty at our hospital that day and she was able to drop off some supplies on her way home from work. I'm not sure if a local chemist might have any in stock but it might be worth trying. Colostomy pouches are something we definitely don't want to run out of! With Securicare I order my supplies through my gp surgery via systemonline. Securicare ring me when they receive my prescription and arrange a delivery day. I also get my medication delivered from them in the same way. I would imagine Fittleworth will offer the same sort of service. Being Sunday makes things that much more difficult.

Good luck.

Love Kim xx

Hi ThreeI went through the same thing It always happens at the. weekend  I phoned the ward I just came from and explained everything to them .They left replacement bags at the drop of area in the hospital and my husband went over and picked them up. Can I ask what hospital you were in  .Do that first before you try and get  them your self £30 a bag  .q live in the Greater Glasgow Area and couldn't get any ...Your post was just like what happened to me word for word including Emergency Op. Good luck Just get on the phone now 

Hi Alden and thank you, glad it's not just me!

We live in Newcastle and I was in Queen Elizabeth Gateshead which is about 8 miles away and my 75yr old husband doesn't drive, neither does my son! Oh stupid me! I got my box of supplies free, when I came home and they were ordered by the stoma nurse then! I suppose all I can do is too ask my stoma nurse, who is isolating, tomorrow, and fingers crossed she can help! I phoned a few minutes ago and, of course, she doesn't work weekends! I left a message but now I feel guilty about that too!

love Moira x

Hi Moira. 

There should be more than one stoma nurse on duty. I'm sure someone will come to your rescue. I've checked out Fittleworth online and they do offer the same service that I have with Securicare. You can get a free radar key for the disabled toilets from them and they cut your pouches to size for you so you don't need to do it yourself. People don't realise how much goes into looking after a stoma!

Take care.

Love Kim xx

Hi Moira. 

There should be more than one stoma nurse on duty. I'm sure someone will come to your rescue. I've checked out Fittleworth online and they do offer the same service that I have with Securicare. You can get a free radar key for the disabled toilets from them and they cut your pouches to size for you so you don't need to do it yourself. People don't realise how much goes into looking after a stoma!

Take care.

Love Kim xx

Hi Kim,

I'm so glad you've told me about the bag cutting service, I can't do it and my lovely husband does what he can, but as he has glaucoma, I think we have one good eye between us! I was given a Fittleworth Stoma bag and it has a Radar key in it! The box if supplies was waiting for me when I got home and I've even had a call from them, but honestly, I feel such a fool saying this, I can't for the life of me remember if the hospital stoma nurse does my next order or if I have to do it! The stoma nurse I contact from home is isolating but she's still working from home! I phoned earlier but she doesn't work Sundays! Anyway, I've left a message and hopefully she'll rescue me tomorrow somehow!

Thank you Kim, it's nice to have someone to talk to!

love Moira x