Hollister 18104 Bags: Thinner and Transparent - Any Feedback?

Hey gang,

Just got my 3-month resupply of ostomy products and was a little "upset", for lack of a better word, to see Hollister went and changed the outer side of their 18104 bag. It used to be 90% transparent and made of a bit thicker plastic material. Now it's 100% transparent and made of much thinner plastic. I'm guessing they did durability testing on the new plastic, but it sure looks flimsy to me. I'm pretty sure that one swipe of my pooch's paw will result in me being a hot mess. And although the previous version was mostly transparent, passers-by would have to do a double take to figure out what was in the bag... now it's instantly obvious, not that I care. But I always hate it when companies change things (supposedly for the better, but usually to save a penny or two) without giving its customers a heads-up. I realize that's not possible to do with most retail sales, but for medical supplies being sent to repeat customers... that's a different story. So the point to this whole tirade? If anyone has been using these new flimsier appearing bags... can you give me some feedback, good or bad?

Thanks,

Bob

Bob,

I just got my monthly shipment of 18182's but I didn't open the box to see if there were any changes. The 18182 has the soft built-in cover and there's only a small window (unintended pun) down at the drain so I don't think there's much of an impact for me.

I'm with you. It would be nice if there was some sort of notification that a tried and true product is going to get a change if only as a courtesy. I identify with my appliances so changing them is like changing me!

Dave

I use the 18103 pouch and they changed it also. It seems to be a little harder to empty, I think it breaks down sooner.

Hi lovely.

Hmmm... makes me wonder if they're trying to make sure folks use a new bag every day. I'll call them when I get a minute and discuss their new choice of clear plastic with them and ask for the skinny on why they changed. I got lucky and found someone online with a stash of the older style pouches and I bought all she had. Won't help in the long run, but gives me some breathing room to figure out if the new bag material is better or worse.

Regards,

Bob

Hi lovely.

Hmmm... makes me wonder if they're trying to make sure folks use a new bag every day. I'll call them when I get a minute and discuss their new choice of clear plastic with them and ask for the skinny on why they changed. I got lucky and found someone online with a stash of the older style pouches and I bought all she had. Won't help in the long run, but gives me some breathing room to figure out if the new bag material is better or worse.

Regards,

Bob

I wondered the same thing. Let us know what you find out.

Hi Bob, just want to let you know I called Hollister about the change in the pouches. I am getting ready to order my monthly supply, so I needed to know about them. They said it was better for the environment. They still have the beige-looking ones that are thicker, but they gave it a new number. The cost is the same. So, I ordered the thicker ones. You may find the new ones work for you, but I just like the thicker ones.

G'day Bob from Australia,

I don't know if there is any relevance but a recall notice was issued here on Aug 11th regarding other Hollister bags. The issue is a possible bag weakness.

Here is the detail...

Liberty Medical Pty Ltd — Hollister Urostomy Bag

PRA No. 2019/17748

Date published: 11 Aug 2019
Product description: Hollister Urostomy bag

ModermaFlex Convex Flextend Tape Bordered Urostomy V2 Tnsp 25mm PS
Product Number: 2979125
Lot Number: 9C282

ModermaFlex Soft Convex CeraPlus Tape Bordered Urostomy V2 VO 30mm PS
Product Number: 59830
Lot Number: 9F253

ModermaFlex Soft Convex CeraPlus Tape Bordered Urostomy V2 UClr 15-38mm CTF
Product Number: 59901
Lot Number: 9F073

ARTG: 296216
(Liberty Medical Pty Ltd - Bag, urostomy, one-piece)

What are the defects?
There is a possible weakening of the Urostomy bag pouch film.

What are the hazards?
Weakening in the pouch film could lead to film seal separation or film bursting during use, resulting in injury to the user.

I use the same Hollister 18104 bag and noticed the change as well.

I am very active, work outdoors in all weather, race cars for a hobby, and work on the race car for fun. So far, after about 3 weeks of use, I've seen no performance difference.

I agree it feels a bit more flimsy, but I'm finding no difference in how it empties. Where I do find a difference, and this one does piss me off, is how it makes noise when I move. The plastic makes clinking noises which makes it damn near impossible to hide. Not that I hide it from my friends, etc., but the noise can be a distraction.

Hope this helps you not worry too much about the change.

Hi Bryan,

Yeah... I did notice the crinkling noise, but didn't think far enough ahead to realize it would do that all day as I'm moving around. That would irritate the hell out of me. I've had some of the non-opaque skin colored bags around here forever, but never used them. After my operation, I wanted to see exactly what was coming out all the time, so I always used the semi-clear bag. Now that I'm pondering getting back into the dating scene, I figure I need to start getting used to the skin colored bags, so I've been wearing them more frequently. Still not a big fan of not seeing exactly what's coming out, but I've found with the skin colored bag I'm not as self-conscious if it is seen... like when I stretch to reach something high on the shelf and my shirt doesn't fully cover it. With the semi-clear bag, I always was concerned... with the skin colored bag, I don't even think about it. So it's six of one, half a dozen of the other... as usual. Thanks for mentioning the noise... that's important.

Regards,

Bob

Yes, I noticed and I am not fond of the new 18104 pouch new plastic. It makes a crackling noise when you move and it's thinner material but I haven't had any problems yet. I did like the opaque plastic but that's not a big deal. Just the rustle issue....

I got my new order in and they are beige, and they have the cloth-like cover on both sides instead of just on the side that touches the body. You really cannot see anything through it, which I am not sure how I feel about that. They don't make the crinkle sound like the clear thin ones do, so that is good. Anyway, I will have to use them. I just used my first one. Hopefully, they will do good as far as emptying them.

Think they're doing this to all their bags. I wear 18194, it's the same. I wasn't happy either. For as much as they cost, I expect better quality.

Lovely,

I'll pull the number on the bags I have that are like you describe... they've been around forever and I have a few boxes. I wear these when I'm out and about with other people, but prefer the clear bags (old style, not the new ones) when I'm home alone. I'm overdue to call Hollister... so I'll find out the real deal with this stuff.

Thanks,

Bob

They do have the dark beige colored bags with the material on both sides. The thing I don't like is you cannot see anything through them. When you empty them, you can't see if everything is out of the bag unless you get some air in the bag to hold it open. I have to use the order I got, and will have to decide on the next order if I want to go back to the thin ones.

I don't understand why they did not just keep making the old ones and give the new clear ones a new number. I was using the number 18103 and after I talked to a lady at Hollister she gave me the beige number 18123. Which I did not understand how they would be so dark that you cannot see anything through them.   Like I said in my other post, I will just have to decide which ones I want to use. Thank you

Hi gang,

Here's a pic of what we're talking about. The bag on the left is the new fully transparent one, the middle is the old semi-transparent, and on the right is the fully opaque bag when you don't want anyone to know what you got in the bag isn't coins or pocket lint. You'll notice the left and middle bags have the same part number. Supposedly, the middle bag number has changed, which is sort of stupid since it had the number first. Anyway, this is what's being discussed.

Enjoy,

Bob

PS.....no, I don't wear my bag with a pen inside it.....although I guess there are worse places to carry a pen. I just put them in there to show you the different amounts of transparency. Also, please don't put the bags on your head (suffocation hazard) or attempt to eat them (digestion hazard). I hope that pleases all the lawyers out there.

:O)

Nicely done.

FYI...

I get the 18182s that look similar to the one on the right (they have that cover that helps you not feel like you're wearing a hot water bottle) and they have the filter. But since I now use the EZvalves the filter has no value and a couple of times I've had liquid pass through the filter if I fill up as I sleep.

What I've found interesting is that my most recent shipment of 18182s has had more bubbles between the plys pop up. I've had those bubbles in the past but if they popped at least I didn't get leaks up until this batch. I had a couple pop down at the fold where the 'velcros' connect. I've had two that started leaking there about a day after the bubbles popped.

Dave

Good job, Bob. I was using the 18103, which I liked. It was like the one in the middle. Then I got the one on the left with the same number. When I talked to someone at Hollister, she gave me a number 18123 and said it was the beige bag. What I did not realize was it was the one on the right, and I was thinking it would be the same as the one in the middle. What I don't like about the one on the right is you can't see very well if it is completely empty. But anyway, it is what it is, and I don't think they will change it back. Thanks for your help and the bit of funny caution you listed.

I have never worried about "completely empty". There is a certain amount of cohesion, so as long as there aren't any chunks, I'm happy if the pouch below the Velcro fold is clean so I don't have to worry about a minor mess or smell. But that's just me....

Dave

Hi guys,

I've tried the Velcro closures, but when you empty as often as I do they get messy pretty quick. At least with the plastic clip I can wash it or just throw on another, although it does tend to get caught on things. Guess there's no perfect solution. Oh yeah, not having an ostomy would be pretty perfect....but let's not go there.

I've never needed the filter or vent........I guess with such little intestine my output doesn't have time to ferment and make gas or smell bad.

Later,

Bob

Update time on these clear Hollister bags. I wore one today for the first time. Figured what the heck, I'll give it a try. First the good news....the crinkling noise is a non-issue. Once the inside of the bag gets some "stuff" in it the sound is damped and remains that way all day, even between emptyings. Ok........that's all I could think about that's good. Now the bad. It sure feels flimsy, meaning the plastic is so thin I keep thinking I'll tear it if I look at it wrong. But so far it's intact. I wear my bags for 2 days, so I suspect it will last at least that long, but it sure doesn't inspire confidence. With the prior less clear but thicker bag I never worried about the bag tearing whenever I ran into something.......but with this one I'm constantly concerned. Next point......it's very clear. Meaning it's a bit gross to look at because there's no guessing what's inside anymore. I got a pretty tough stomach, but when I look down and see it I think to myself......ewwww! And lastly, because the clear plastic is thinner the closure clip is a bit looser than before. Can't say that has any implications, but again, not confidence inspiring. I tried to call Hollister this morning but got put on hold and had to be somewhere..........so I'll try again tomorrow. I think the train has already left the station in regards to them changing the bag back to the older thicker material, but I still want them to know I'm not a happy camper.

So bottom line after one day of wearing the new bag..........it's still there and not leaking, and that's 99% of the challenge........so as they say........time will tell. If anything changes I'll let you know.

Regards,

Bob

Confidence is the name of the game for ostomates. Funny they'd undermine what works.

Thanks for the update.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Yeah, right? Since perception is reality, you'd think they'd stay with what works. And to be fair to Hollister, maybe I'm jumping the gun on these bags. Maybe this new thinner plastic material is actually tougher and more durable than the old thicker, less clear plastic... but you'd think their marketing department would tout the benefits of the change on the box (i.e., new and improved or now environmentally friendly or something) so folks wouldn't be alarmed when they opened the box and go WTF? I'll give them a good workout now that I have a whole shitload of them. Also, didn't like the idea that they didn't tell me about the change when I ordered them, as most ostomy stuff isn't returnable. But we'll see. If I'm wrong about the bags, I'll stand corrected and let everyone know.

Later,

Bob

I have to agree, Bob. They could have let us know about the change. When I got mine, I thought I had gotten a bad batch. I like the thicker ones.

I go with pouches that have that nice pseudo-fabric cover. So at least there's nothing to see here! LOL

I use Byram Healthcare for my supplies. You get 15 days to send them back. I've had to send them back twice. Once between my order and arrival, I had my stoma dilated and that changed the opening size. The other time, they sent me the wrong item.

Dave

Resurrecting an old thread here but I just ran across it.

I am so upset about this change by Hollister. I have called them numerous times to complain and all they tell me is, "I will pass this information on."

I have 2 main complaints about this new material:

1) The crinkling as noted by others.
2) Odor leaches through this new material!!!

I use the #18133 bag and when I received my first batch with the new "environmentally friendly" material I thought they had shipped the wrong product. Then I found the note from Hollister stating what they did.

For the 7 years I have had my ileostomy I have used only Hollister products. Sizes have changed through the years but the basic bags have remained the same. I have always been able to get a minimum of 5 days wear-time out of my bags. Now, with this new material, I have to put a new bag on daily. The odor leaching out of the new material is intolerable. I have tried all the commercially available odor products I can find and have even resorted to pouring a small amount of mouthwash into the bag at each empty, along with a peppermint candy.

I could live with the crinkling if a gun was held to my head, but the odor is intolerable. As I stated earlier, I have contacted Hollister numerous times to complain. During my last call the customer service specialist convinced me that the version with the beige fabric covering would help conceal the odor. Doesn't do a bit of good.

Unless Hollister reverses to the older material, I will have to shop for a new manufacturer.

***UPDATE: I just contacted Hollister again and was told that the old material is no longer available to them due to environmental issues. I was also told that this current material is not, what the service rep called, "the end game" and that the development team is working on trying to rectify the issues.

We'll see what happens, but it better happen fast.

Hi Graph,

I'm sure Hollister is getting an earful, as I haven't found anyone who thinks the new material is the same or better than the old material. I encourage everyone to keep calling and emailing them to keep the heat on. Just FYI.....I've never seen any explanation for the change in any of my boxes of new bags.

Are the bags you use vented? I can't see how a non-vented polymer bag could allow odor to escape.

Regards,

Bob

Bob, after a few days, I can smell the output. I guess it could be partly the wafer. But I don't have to change the wafer every time I change the bag. Maybe a colostomy is different from an ileostomy. I know sometimes it depends on what you eat. I eat a lot of carbs.

Hi Bob,

Sometime in the latter part of last year, I received a notice in one of the boxes of bags I ordered that stated the change. Since then, I have had the odor issue (and crinkling). I tried a few different models of the bags, and they all had this issue (I do not use the vented style).

I wouldn't think odor should be able to escape either. It's got to be leaching through the material itself. It's kind of an old, soggy-wet cardboard smell mixed with some sort of chemical. Quite a concoction, huh? Throw in a dash of stool, and you've got one volatile bag! My wife has even commented on it.

I still have a few of the older, thicker ones that I save for occasions where I know I'm going to be around other people for extended periods. I can get a minimum of 5 days wear out of those by only dropping a peppermint into the bag. Now, with the newer material, after less than a day, they are bad.

I also encourage anyone having any issues with these to contact Hollister as the service rep assured me that my complaints make their way to the development team.