Hello there, I will be joining the stoma club, hopefully next week, if planned surgery goes ahead. So obviously got to learn all about care and management of the new way to get rid of my waste liquid.
The initial thing that concerns me, is how does one know a suitable time to change the bag? I have been catheterised a couple of times in recent months, and thus know that you can pu without any knowledge of it happening. So with no bladder left to control the flow of urine, how on earth can you be sure that the new outlet won't suddenly come into use, when you have removed the bag?
I imagine myself having to perhaps lie in the bath, or stand in the shower, so should it happen, at least I am naked and can easily wash myself, then continue with the change operation once clean and dry.
Hi KidneyBeen
You sound like you’re getting on well already, so well done on your progress. I tried the flat bag initially for my urostomy, and thought I had settled with it, but after about 10 months started having a lot of leaks. I moved to a convex bag, and the improvement was immediate so I have kept them over the past year. I’m afraid it’s trial and error, especially initially when your stoma is settling down. Everyone is so individual in regards to the shape of their stoma, shape of their body and where creases lie. My stoma does not protrude at all from my body for example. My colostomy is also flush with my skin, but a flat bag works well with it. So even someone like me with 2 stomas can end up using different product types.
Because of how the urostomy is made, there will always be a certain amount of mucus in the bag-it settles but I still have this-little flecks of mucus in the bag always. Quite normal.
You'll find what works well for you, but it can be a bit miserable when something doesn’t work. I’ve found convex bags, an extra dose of adhesive/barrier and the flange extenders (banana shaped to stick round each side of the bag) work well for me and I rarely suffer urostomy bag leaks nowadays. Expect to have ups and downs until you find your personal combination of best products.
Hi Kidney Bean
Can be so tricky in the beginning, I found once I have convex bags they are so much easier to cut. You probably have all the right equipment from the nurses but might be worth getting some more products. They’re really helpful in getting the right fit for the individual
Hope you have a better day tomorrow.
Ann
Hi Kidneybeen
It’s very easy to damage the bag, even with the special scissors-when I was cutting mine originally I ruined many of them! Something to think about once you are confident your stoma has settled is having your supplier pre cut the bags for you. This saves time and eliminates the possibility of you damaging them.
Sarah
Sarah I wondered are the bags the same for all stoma’s. I’m just interested, I’ve always been curious about anything new to me.
Thanks in advance
Ann
Morning Ann
The principle is the same, but my bags are quite different for my urostomy and colostomy, The urostomy bag has a little tap at the bottom which makes it easy to empty. The bag itself is all clear plastic so it’s easy to see the level of fullness. My colostomy bag is flat, and black, with just the “viewing window” to check what’s going on. It is drainable though I tend not to do that and just change it daily, or much more often the past few days! My urostomy bag rustles a lot, so I’m more conscious of it I have to say.
Sarah xx
Thanks Sarah.
It makes sense really. So the urostomy is much harder to cut without catching the back hence leaks.
I’ve got convex and have now decided to cut my own as have some odd cuts in last order and they’re pretty easy to do.
Have a good day
Ann
I don’t think I’ve ever damaged a colostomy bag, but have done many times with the urostomy bag! My pre cut ones have been fine, luckily!
Sarah xx
Yes Kidney Bean should have it a lot easier once he can have them cut.
Ann
