Ostomy Bag Recommendations for Higher Ileostomy Placement

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355
Lokiritz
Jul 26, 2025 4:20 pm

I'm not tall by any means, but I'm trying to get my point across. I recently had a hernia removal, and my ileostomy was relocated over 4 inches higher than my previous one. I'm having problems finding a bag longer than 12 inches. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I'm at my wit's end. Thank you.

SusanT
Jul 26, 2025 5:59 pm

I am tall-ish with a very high stoma placement. My stomas are roughly 3 inches above my navel, nestled just inside my rib cage.

I know why you want longer bags. My urostomy does fine emptying when standing, but I struggled to empty my colostomy. It is too high to empty while standing, and the bag outlet hits at the top of my legs and gets all over me if I empty while sitting.

Normally, I use a closed-end bag, but that won't work well for an ileostomy. What I ended up doing when I was prepping for a colonoscopy was emptying into a large plastic cup, then dumping and rinsing the cup into the toilet.

Hopefully, someone else will be along with more suggestions.

Posted by: Kimmy050263

I want to thank everyone for their suggestions, messages, and tips! So many have helped! We are learning as we go, learning the ins and outs of this bag. I have ordered special tape that does not irritate my skin and am now using Domeboro powder before putting on a new bag. My boyfriend says that my skin is so much less red!

Saw an ostomy nurse today; she said my boyfriend is doing everything right. One of my issues is that I am really thin, and my skin is really crinkly due to the surgery. We shall see how this bag goes.

This site is a real blessing. Everyone here is so awesome!

Kim

IGGIE
Jul 27, 2025 12:39 am

G-Day Lokiritz,

If you place a container on a service at the right height, you could empty it that way. Or if you can, kneel in front of the toilet bowl.

Regards, IGGIE

warrior
Jul 27, 2025 2:22 am

What type or brand of appliance are you using? You can find extra long bags. They are out there. Not sure which suppliers offer them, but Coloplast has a long, large capacity bag for its appliance.

lclark5585
Jul 27, 2025 5:34 am

I've also done that. This also helps on trips. It saves from going into random gas station bathrooms.

 

How to Adjust to Life with an Ostomy with Bruce | Hollister

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Audrey Warren
Jul 27, 2025 6:19 am

I have a colostomy and also find standing

comfortable. I use a large plastic container in the sink and slowly empty the output into the container and flush that down the toilet. I then rinse the container. I replace it every month.

Bill
Jul 27, 2025 7:16 am

Hello Lokiritz.
Each evening and overnight I use an irrigation sleeve, which I fold up and 'peg' at the top to make a 'bag'.
These sleeves are long enough to reach all the way down to the water in the toilet (whilst still standing upright) so there is no splashback.
They are also very convenient for sliding the end under a tap for rinsing out.
Having used irrigation sleeves from Dansac, Hollister and Coloplast I would say that there is not much to choose between any of them as they all work  adequately. I have also used both single use and 2 piece ones, which also work in much the same way.
It might be worth asking for some samples and doing a bit of experimentation.
Best wishes
Bill

xxxltd
Jul 27, 2025 3:07 pm

I am 6' 6" tall with an ileostomy for almost 3 years, and I am very familiar with your issue. I use a rolling medical tray (found on Amazon for about 40 dollars) and a plastic bowl. The table can be adjusted up and down to fit your needs. I pre-fold TP and keep it on the table to keep the end of the pouch clean, then empty it into the toilet. I keep the bowl as clean as possible. When I leave the house, I keep 4 or 5 doggie bags in my pocket (also found on Amazon, Google flushable). These bags are flushable and biodegradable; in all my years, I have never plugged up a toilet. Before emptying the pouch, I fold and prepare TP for use after the pouch is emptied. Empty the pouch into the bag (after emptying, keep the end of the pouch pointed up), drop it in the toilet, clean up, and you are done. Happy to answer questions.

Lokiritz
Jul 30, 2025 3:45 pm

Thanks for your feedback. I was hoping that there are bags longer than 12 inches you could turn me on to. You would think it would be available considering how many ostomates of all types are in need. Why can it be simple!!!