About

Ostomy surgery can happen at all ages and doesn't lower a person's life expectancy. It's a life-saving surgery that allows bodily waste to exit through a surgical opening on your abdomen, known as a stoma. The waste is deposited into a prosthetic found outside the body called an ostomy bag or a pouch. A doctor might recommend an ostomy in congenital defects, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or severe pelvic or abdominal trauma, following an accident.

 

There are various stoma care products to choose from, and your nurse will help you choose one most comfortable for you. You can also try several pouches to see the type that is most secure and less irritant. The pouches can be open or closed, be a single-piece system or dual-piece with a separate wafer and bag. More so, a range of accessories exist to make your bag more secure and protect your skin. If you're having difficulties choosing the right pouch and accessories, read on to learn the different types. You can also consult a stoma expert to help you choose the right bag.

 

Closed Pouch

The closed bag has no opening and conducive for patients that have a colostomy. The closed pouch is made specifically to hold solid stool and should be changed up to thrice a day, depending on the frequency of producing waste.

 

Open/Drainable Pouch

Unlike the closed pouch, the open one is drainable and used by patients with an ileostomy. The open bag stores waste in the liquid state. When full, the bag can be emptied via a small opening at the bottom and replaced every three to four days. People with colostomies might find the drainable bag convenient if their stoma output is high.

 

Urostomy Pouch

More like the open pouch, the urostomy pouch comes with a tiny draining tap at the bottom. This makes draining urine easy without changing the bag. This pouch can be replaced every three to four days.

 

One-Piece Pouch

These types of bags lay flat on your body, where both the pouch and wafer are joined. The one-piece bag needs to be changed frequently.

 

Two-Piece Pouch

Unlike the one-piece, the two-piece bags have the wafer and pouch separate. The wafer acts as a baseplate, which joins around the stoma. The pouch attaches at the top of the wafer. It means that your wafer can remain intact as you change your bag. Albeit bulky, the two-piece pouch helps you avoid skin irritation.

 

Adhesive Removers

They come in the form of wipe or sprays to remove your stoma bag without skin irritation or damage quickly. The removers come in different types and brands from odorless to scented, depending on your preference.

 

Barrier Sprays, Rings, and Paste

The idea behind barrier sprays, rings, and pastes is to fill in gaps around your stoma. With gaps filled, no output can leak, hence no skin irritating. Consult your astronomy supplier for different types of barrier accessories and choose those that suit your preference. Ostomy powders are excellent accessories since they prevent irritation and avoid further damage to your skin.

 

Before purchasing stoma care products, consult with your GP and choose products conducive to your condition and preferences.