Coping with ostomy bag

A few things, mainly that I’ve picked up from other people on this forum.

1. Make sure with stoma bags are cut to the correct size. Stoma nurse will help with this. My stoma shrunk from 33 to 28 cm in the first month after discharge from hospital.

2. Ensure skin is thoroughly clean & dry before attaching. I use little barrier foam applicator sticks to help with removing residual adhesive and speed up drying.. They are available from your supplier on prescription.

3. Ask hubby to warm the adhesive part of the attachment before applying to the skin. Simply popping it into the armpit whist getting everything ready is enough.

4. Change bag daily at around the same time. Don’t be talked into leaving longer. I do mine in the evening for extra night time security.

We all get leaks at first but I am 2 years on, learned most of this the embarrasing hard way, but haven’t had a leaky bag for more than a year.now.

Good luck. Hope this helps.

Have you tried wearing a thin stomach belt - your specialist nurse can supply. You nurse might recommend a differed type of bag.

i have had more that one batch of duff bags. Sorted by using a bag from a different batch.

dont let your bag get too full, bending when its full can pop the bag.

leo

Don't worry this is easily fixed - we've all been there. I have had my stoma since January 2023 and things do get easier.

I change my bags every 48 hours, usually before breakfast because once you drink anything the stoma produces more urine, which is a nuisance during a change, and secondly because I have sensitive skin which can be thin and changing too often irritates it.

My stoma nurse said people often keep the same bag for 3 days and I did meet a woman once who goes for 5! I use one piece bags although there are others where the collar stays on longer and you just clip the new bag into the collar as needed.

You've had some good tips here are mine, you'll soon find your own routines:

• I use a thin elastic belt through the loops in the stoma bag too and that has helped a lot. My stoma is an 'innie' and so doesn't protrude into the bag much without the belt pressure. If you are using rings I'm guessing your husband's maybe an innie too. Sadly they can be a bit prone to leakage.
• I used to stick the ring to the bag first (because it's an innie I use deep convex bags - my stoma nurse sorted that out) then press the whole thing around the stoma in one go. (I no longer need the rings so stopped them). You have to rub the sticky bit around the stoma, especially the bit next to it as well as the big outside ring. This is to continue the warming you started in the armpit to increase adhesion.
• The final thing I do is cup my hands 1 above the other so there is a pressure on the outer ring and hold it there to get good and warm and stuck. I hold it for 2 minutes and since I've started it haven't had a leak. I've no idea what the optimum time is,  but  my Fitbit has a 2 minute deep breathing exercise on it so time it by that. And of course the breathing calms one down too. I remember how worried I was in case of leaks before this. All the stoma nurses I've ever met must have very warm hands because they barely dab the bag on and it sticks! I don't, and this is particularly helpful in colder weather I have found. Of course, in the heat the problem may be sweating, which can affect adhesion especially during heavy exercise.
• Emptying the bag regularly also helps - in hospital they told me to set the timer on my phone/watch to remind me every hour. You can stop that when it becomes second nature.
• Finally, stoma pants help support the bag - especially when becoming full - it's easy to forget and let it fill up, especially in warm weather or perhaps when in a new place and one is shy of asking to use the lavatory. M&S have introduced excellent stoma pants for men and women. They are good value, well designed and I wouldn't use any others since I discovered them. And if you realise the bag is fuller than you'd like, move carefully on your way to empty it or the pressure on the liquid could force it off.

Using these techniques I am now confident of using the bags, mainly forget I'm wearing one and it's all very routine.

A couple of extra points - when on a long walk in London or at the theatre I use a leg bag as well - they couple together and the leg bag attaches to one's leg by elasticated velcro straps - easily hidden by trousers - to increase capacity so I don't need to worry about finding a lavatory in a hurry. I add them to my order as needed, just tell your stoma nurse so she approves the order.

Plus I carry a change kit in case of leaks when out of the house: a couple of new stoma bags - in case one is faulty, adhesive remover spray, dry wipes and wet ones to clean myself up. Small plastic bag for rubbish. Bigger one to put things on while sorting myself out (in a disabled lavatory or one may have to use the floor in an emergency if there's no shelf) which then contains my wet clothes. Plus a thin pair of clean  ltrousers/leggings, pants, new bag belt and thin T shirt. I have had to use this kit once or twice  but mostly it all stays packed into the bottom of my small body bag/rucksac which I use instead of a handbag now. I change the stoma bags and spray every few weeks to make sure they'll work if needed.

Finally, we all have a thing about incontinence. Try and think of urine as nothing disgusting. We all produce it and shouldn't be ashamed if we have an 'accident'. Just set yourself up for a change as usual, go through your normal routine and don't panic.

Hope this helps 

All the best,

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