Adjusting to Life with a Stoma: Seeking Advice on Ileostomy Bags

Had my surgery in November 2024 and was presented with my stoma friend. I call her my ugly little friend who periodically either erupts like Vesuvius or spews like Old Faithful. I have tried different manufacturers of ileostomy bags and so far haven't had much luck. Would like to hear from others and their experience with bags.

Welcome, and Happy New Year.

Do you have an ileostomy or colostomy?

It does take some time to discover the ostomy products that work best for you. Your body is still getting used to its new "normal." I have a permanent colostomy. It took me about 4 months for the surgical trauma to heal and my diet to return to somewhat normal.

I use the Hollister 2-piece system, which features snap-on bags. I don't have problems with leaks; colostomies have thicker, more digested output.

Ileostomy output can be more fluid-like.

It would help us to know what kind of ostomy you have. They are all very different. 

I have 2, a colostomy and a urostomy. I'm currently using 2-piece Coloplast sensura mio for both. In the hospital, I used Hollister 2-piece with no problems. My home ostomy nurse switched me to Coloplast and it's working fine. "If it ain't broke don't fix it" so I'm sticking with the Coloplast. 

In all likelihood, your problem may be with the application or you may need something like a barrier ring or a convex wafer or a myriad of possibilities. 

In you describe the problem in more detail and tell us what your current process is, we can give better advice.  Don't worry about TMI, we are used it around here! 

Hi Susie,  Welcome to a fellow Canadian.  I tried several different pouches (bags) and manufacturers before finding the system that works for me.  It really depends on so many factors, and what works well for one ostomate, will not work for another.  I also have an ileostomy, and what I finally settled on is a one piece Hollister, with a soft convex wafer, along with a Salts brand barrier ring.  Salts are a British company, but are available to us Canadians, and it's a great product.  Request some samples and try different pouches with different barrier rings.  With an ileostomy, a barrier ring is a really good idea, as it helps keep your skin protected from output that can cause irritation.  It will also extend your wear time.  Good luck.

Terry

Welcome from Oz 🇦🇺

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Hi Susie,

TerryLT has covered a good management plan. You can also check out 'Shamrock' for a comprehensive report on food/diet. I would add the following:

1) Measure your stoma often as the size can change a lot in the first year.

2) Join your local Ostomy Group - pretty sure there is one in Hamilton.

3) I'm not a quilter but this might be doable and rewarding. Starting from a point pre-surgery you could create an emblematic patch showing how you felt at that time. Every major milestone then gets a patch added on and after a while you will have a beautiful, personalized record of your journey. (I did this by creating special trout flies that friends and family still ask to see)!

Good luck and welcome,

Bryce

Hello Susie and welcome.
There has been some good advice so far and I would endorse Bryce's idea of keeping some kind of record of your journey.
Mine was writing rhymes about the good and the bad aspects of stoma life. That record still gets re-read occasionally, which reminds me of where I've been, what I've done,  and how I felt. It can also be a reminder of what I call 'JND' (Just Noticeable Difference). Sometimes it becomes difficult to see where there have been changes for the good, but looking back to the early years, I can can clearly where the positive changes have been.
Best wishes for your own journey
Bill

I had an ileostomy and have tried Coloplast one-piece, which didn't work; I had blowouts and tried ConvaTec one-piece, which also had blowouts. I switched to a two-piece and am currently trying ConvaTec Sur-Fit Natura 45 mm small and Matura drainable pouch. I find with this appliance, snapping the pouch on is not easy; the Hollister has a ring that you can hold onto while snapping on the pouch. Lately, I have been having problems with pancaking. I thought I had conquered this, but in the last week, it has given me problems which cause the pouch to blow.

Try Coloplast

Hey there,

I can relate to your frustration. I had my ileostomy bag for 10 months (7 months more than originally told it would be). The reason being, me and “Sybil” (my stoma's name) had a hard time finding a bag that worked for her. My skin under the bag area was so allergic to so many bag adhesives. I finally found one that worked from Hollister Ostomy Care. Are you affiliated with them? If not, check out their website and call. The teams are there to really help you with getting something right for you. Good luck!! 🙏