Best Time of Day for Planned Ileostomy Bag Change?

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263
walter.sharpless
Jul 10, 2025 1:34 am

When have you found to be the optimal time of day to do a planned change? I haven't been able to determine a time of day that is ideal; what works one time might not work the next. Vesuvius (my name for this cursed opening in my wife) might demand a sacrifice. Is there an offering I can give to have her grant favor to my attempt to minimize her foul expulsions?

I'm seriously thinking that we all have biorhythms that determine when our livers send bile, etc., but I can't seem to find the sweet, quiet spot. Thanks for whatever insight you have gained.

AO166
Jul 10, 2025 2:50 am

It differs from one person to another.

For me, it is usually sometime after lunch.

IGGIE
Jul 10, 2025 3:11 am

G-Day Walter & Wife,

I personally never have breakfast, and before I have lunch, I find my ileostomy is fast asleep, and I am able to do a bag change in 5 minutes. But that's for me. Good luck.

Regards, IGGIE

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IGGIE
Jul 10, 2025 3:11 am

G-Day Walter & Wife,

I personally never have breakfast, and before I have lunch, I find my ileostomy is fast asleep, and I am able to do a bag change in 5 minutes. But that's for me. Good luck.

Regards, IGGIE

IGGIE
Jul 10, 2025 3:11 am

G-Day Walter & Wife,

I personally never have breakfast, and before I have lunch, I find my ileostomy is fast asleep, and I am able to do a bag change in 5 minutes. But that's for me. Good luck.

Regards, IGGIE

 

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SusanT
Jul 10, 2025 3:16 am

For my colostomy, it's the first thing in the morning before coffee. After coffee, all bets are off.

For my urostomy, it's anyone's guess. That one is truly nonstop.

I've heard it said that marshmallows will temporarily slow you down. Perhaps someone with an ileostomy will come along and elaborate.

Xerxes
Jul 10, 2025 3:28 am

It really depends on when you eat, how much you eat, and what kind of food you eat. For me, it's shortly after eating dinner.

Xerxes

Ben38
Jul 10, 2025 4:37 am

Your spot on; it's different for everyone, and even then, stomas have a mind of their own and do what they want when they want. They like to keep us on our toes, and even after over 30 years, mine still likes to surprise me. 😆 Just like all of us, when needed, I can change a bag in probably 30 seconds.

Jo 🇦🇺
Jul 10, 2025 7:31 am

First thing in the morning, straight after a shower, I finish with a cold blast, which wakes me up and shuts up his lordship as he shrinks like a frightened turtle. Dry off and slap on a new bag on change day in under a minute; muscle memory works like a charm after 16 years, and he rarely voices his opinion during changing, the occasional stomafart but no Vesuvius! 🌬️💨🤭

HenryM
Jul 10, 2025 8:01 am

The night prior to changing, I try not to eat anything after six PM.  Then I get up early and change.  The little rascal is usually dormant then.

warrior
Jul 10, 2025 11:20 am

Have you had your wife try Imodium on a daily basis? It definitely slows down output. Works great for me. Bulks up output and you can get a sense of timing a bag change.

ron in mich
Jul 10, 2025 12:28 pm

Hi all, like others said, limited intake the evening before and then after showering in the morning, there might be a dribble or two, but no big output until I eat breakfast and have some coffee.

Hugo
Jul 10, 2025 2:25 pm

I have a colostomy and have a lot of output when I first get up in the morning. If the dam flows more than usual, I take Imodium and can change the bag a half hour later.

infinitycastle52777
Jul 11, 2025 5:39 pm

For me, it's the first thing in the morning before breakfast. I used to do it around 3 or 4 in the afternoon before dinner, but well after lunch. You might try a few marshmallows a half hour before a bag change. Sometimes that will slow things down some.

Morning glory
Jul 11, 2025 10:33 pm

I change first thing in the morning after my shower and before I eat or drink anything.

Fritzke93
Jul 11, 2025 10:40 pm

I usually do mine about half an hour before bed, then I can guarantee my pouch is empty for the night. It was recommended when I got my ostomy back in December that I do the changes in the AM, but Stan is super active in the morning, and because I work 40 hours a week, nighttime is just better for me. And Stan is a jerk sometimes and decides to spew while I'm changing the wafer and pouch, even if I have him lightly covered with a damp 4x4. The stomas just do what they want when they want, and you have to just do your changes when it is best for you.

bswanson62
Jul 13, 2025 7:54 pm

First thing in the morning after I eat 3-4 marshmallows. Never after coffee!

corlsharonl49
Jul 13, 2025 8:01 pm

First thing in the morning, I take Imodium around 4 or 4:30 a.m. and then wait 45 minutes to an hour. I also try not to eat after 5 p.m. every night.

WJB
Jul 15, 2025 12:21 am

Agree with most. Not a heavy meal at night, and change first thing in the morning, before eating anything, not even juice. Water only.