ileostomy bag change interval

Hi Richard

I change every other day unless I feel that there's a problem brewing - eg itching, discomfort or something not feeling quite right (doesn't happen very often). This seems to work OK for me and, as my prescription is only for 20 Pouches a month, it seems as though that's what's expected. Having said that, my supplier Respond always say that if I ever get close to running out then I just need to phone and they'll send out an emergency supply.

Hi Richard,

I think that it is what you are most comfortable with and 48 hrs is not uncommon. I had an ileostomy for a year and tried to aim for 48 hrs  but had to change daily most of the time as the area around the stoma wasn't even and, whatever I tried,  ouput would gradually get under the seal. 

All the best

John

I change alternate days and just order bags when required as they seem to come in 30s.

Whatever you are comfortable with.

Kath

I used to change alternate days. It suited my needs perfectly I had an Ileostomy and it was fine for 48hrs I always washed it out carefully making sure that I only used enough water to clean the opening keeping it well away from my stoma and  it worked well  

I always liked my pouch flat 

Hi, I've just joined this group. I have a few questions which I hope someone can help me with 

My husband had an ileostomy created 4 weeks ago. I think we're doing fairly well. Apart from one leak when we were out for dinner. Yeuch. 

My question here is how often do you change the BAG. We were told to change the whole lot, flange and bag every 3 days. That's been working fine. But I realised there are about 20 bags in a box, and only 5 flanges. Which made me think maybe we should be changing the BAG more often? 

We live in Spain and there's not a lot of post operative support! 

Any input would be appreciated.

Hi Elcano and welcome to our group.

Four weeks is very soon after surgery so it sounds like you are doing well with your husband and this new way of life! I’ve got a colostomy so things are different for me, but I wanted to say hello anyway while we wait for some of the members with an ileostomy to come along. 

Let me tag my friend Artsie who lived with her ileostomy for more than a year before she had it reversed and who will know all about bag changing. Output and frequency are different with a colostomy, so my process will be different, but hopefully other members will have the relevant experience to help you out. This is a lovely supportive group, so please feel free to join in and ask any questions as you go along. 

Sarah xx

Hi Elcano,

Glad to hear that your husband is doing well. I had an ileostomy for a year and don't think I dared going out for a lunch that early! I presume he is using a two piece arrangement, I only had just the bag. It makes sense that you change the bag more often than the flange and I think he will have to experiment to see how often he has to change both.  If you haven't got good back up over there you could try the provider of the bags for their advice.. One web site I looked at said change the bag as often as needed but the flange perhaps twice a week.

All the best

John

Thanks Sarah 

Hi Elcano

It sounds as if you’re find really well I was all over the place in the early days and was grateful for my stoma nurses

Do you have a contact for your supplies ? 
My stoma nurses sorted out my products as the stoma takes a few weeks to form into its shape so the template for the stoma will need altering 

This can cause leaks if it’s not a snug fit. I used to wear Eakin Slims as my skin around the stoma was over sensitive and flared up this slims were like a putty and perfect for protection then my template was slightly bigger.  

So where do you get your products? They could advice with the fitting. 
I used one piece that I changed ever other day. So on my shower day I changed after my shower. I liked my bag empty so I would empty it shower then change. I didn’t allow shower gel or soap near my stoma. The second day I would wash and empty. The products that really suited me were 

So these were the products that gave me confidence and freedom. I had the one piece bag which I emptied every time I had a wee. I needed the convex type to keep my input in the bag 

May be get some different products to experiment with 

Best wishes 

Thanks Ann. 

We live in Spain,so I guess supplies  are different. We have a 2 piece thing, a flange with a bag that clips on. There's also a flexible maleable 'o' shaped bit to go directly round the stoma itself. 

That's all going ok, I'm just unsure about how often I should be changing the bag itself. It seems to be fine for the 3 day interval, so maybe I just keep on like that?

We have an appointment with the stoma nurse in November. it sounds like There's a lot more on hand support in UK. We're just left to get on with it here, which is why I thought it would be helpful to chat to other people who might have handy hints! 

Hey it sounds good. You’ve got this. I’m sorry I don’t know about the products you are using. 
It sounds like the flange fits around the stoma so as long as that’s sealed then you’re good to go 

You have an appointment in November which is good as the Stoma may be the shape that’s how it will be 

Take care  
The one little bit of advice is I found I dehydrated really quickly so I drank isotonic sports type drinks and lots of squash.

Now Spain you can buy salts and sugar drink. It’s in all supermarkets but I can not think of the name.  I will contact my bro. He knows it 

take care x