Confused About Choosing the Right Ostomy Bag

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7
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735
Sunshinealot
Mar 01, 2023 6:16 pm

Just released from the hospital on Feb 10, having trouble choosing an ostomy bag.

CrappyColon
Mar 01, 2023 6:19 pm

Do you have access to an ostomy nurse?

AlexT
Mar 01, 2023 6:34 pm

What type of ostomy? For now, you'll definitely want a drainable one. One or two pieces and any other option is kind of a personal preference.

Posted by: Nini4

Well,  I  hit the two year mark. I went back and read my posts from when I first found this site. I was very fortunate in that I stumbled upon it only 4 weeks post op. I have said many times that this community really saved me. The first 2 weeks after my surgery I shut down completely. It wasn't until about the 3rd week that my son came in to my room, flicked on the light and told me I was going to have to get back to living because I was scaring him. I had fallen into such a depression.  He  ticked me off,  but it also made me stop and think- what was I going to do? Feel sorry for myself and sulk, or be grateful I was alive. 

I've re-read my journals from that time and it was after my son kicked my butt, so to speak, I took an honest inventory and had to dig deeper than I've ever had to. I mean, I had survived a pretty nasty divorce, after a pretty crappy marriage and that was tough. But this was different. I felt like I was now a handicapped person who would be limited in their life and be looked at as a freak. My mental state was precarious, at best. 

But then I found this site. I just lurked a bit before posting. I read so many of the other stories and I started to see just how full my life can be, I was not handicapped,  and certainly not a freak! The stories of survival, the sense of humor, the support and compassion was inspiring.  It was then I made myself get out of the dark, and get my sh*t together.  

Not all rainbows and sunshine at first, hardly! But with grace from myself - to myself, and the kindness and willingness of the folks here to be supportive, non judgemental and openly share intimate details about their life circumstances,  l not only survived but thrived. 

I think of all the years I had suffered with such extreme pain, barely functioning,  and the many hospital stays and how that is all behind me now.  (All fingers, toes, and legs crossed that I never have to go near a hospital for myself ever again. I think I'd rather have a fork stuck in my eye. I loathe every about them.)  

So, to everyone who has been a part of this journey with me, to say thank you is not enough. I'm forever grateful to know you all.  My Angels, each one of you. 

 And as the Grateful Dead famously said,

"what a long strange trip it's been!"

Im so happy I'm tripping with you all.


Ben38
Mar 01, 2023 7:32 pm

Any problems with the ostomy bags the hospital sent you home with? If not, I would carry on using them for the time being.

TerryLT
Mar 01, 2023 9:04 pm

My advice would be to try as many different kinds as possible. Call the big companies, Hollister, Coloplast, Convatec, and ask for samples. They are happy to provide them. See what works best for you. Try flat flanges first, and then if you are experiencing leaks, try convex. Being comfortable and feeling secure with your appliance is really important, so take the time to find the right one. Everyone is different, so recommending one isn't really possible. I know people who swear by their Coloplast appliance, but I personally don't like them and love my Hollister. There will be an equal number of people who feel the opposite from me.

Terry

 

How to Get Back to Fitness After Ostomy Surgery with Ryan | Hollister

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eefyjig
Mar 01, 2023 9:06 pm

Hi Sunshinealot (great name, especially on this cold, dreary NY day!) I concur with what Ben said. I would continue to use whatever I was sent home with for now. I don't know if you have an ileostomy or a colostomy, but I'm pretty sure that, with both, the stoma shrinks for the first couple of weeks. It's important to continue to re-measure the size of your stoma during that time so that whatever bag you use will fit around your stoma and not be too big to cause leaks. The cut-to-fit bags are good at the beginning for that reason; you can just cut the hole smaller as your stoma shrinks. If you're going to order your supplies from an ostomy supply company, like Edgepark or Byram, you can ask for their assistance in what to order. They're really helpful.

Past Member
Mar 02, 2023 2:56 pm

Whatever you do, using ostomy paste, a disc over the stoma opening in the bag, and a tight ostomy belt certainly helps prolong the time between changes.

shaunte.n.davis
Mar 03, 2023 8:04 pm

Try the hospital that put your ostomy in. They should have a wound ostomy nurse.