Advice Needed for Colostomy Bag Management Before Reversal Surgery

I am scheduled for my reversal surgery in September. My colostomy is high up on my abdomen, so my bag does not come low enough between my legs to empty into the toilet, as so many do. I have to empty it into a container. (I have tried to just sit and empty it, and the opening of the bottom of the bag sits right in the middle of my legs.)

Once I start my prep, I'm concerned about how quickly my bag will fill and if I am going to have a mess on my hands.....(hahaha). Is there another kind of bag that I could use that holds more to make it easier, or perhaps is longer so that I will be able to just empty it into the toilet?

Thanks for the help.

I saw it recommended to try an irrigation sleeve for a longer bag. I think I will try that next time I need to prep.

My colostomy is also very high, and I ended up emptying into a large plastic cup the last time I prepped. I'd empty into the cup, then dump it into the toilet and rinse it out. I just threw the cup out when my prep was over.

Thank you. I have to order supplies next week; I will call this time and ask for an irrigation sleeve then. I appreciate your help. Enjoy your weekend.

Can you kneel down to empty?

Kneeling would work for me, I think. I wasn't able to kneel during my last prep, but my mobility is improving, so it might be possible by my next prep. I don't know about the OP.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I have tried that, and at that angle, I'm too short, and the bag is kind of level with the edge of the toilet. Thanks for the suggestions, though.

Don't you want the bag close to the toilet to avoid splashing? I kneel every time, and my bag is close to the toilet. 🤷‍♂️

If you are too short, the bottom of the bag could be below the lip of the toilet, making it hard to empty. (Stuff doesn't flow uphill.) I'm 5'8" and have a low toilet, so it wouldn't be a problem for me. But a 5'0" woman or someone with a higher toilet might have a problem.

I have a colonoscopy the day before my reversal surgery coming up at the end of August. I looked on YouTube and saw someone use the long irrigation bags. I ordered them and plan on using them. It looks like that prep day will be a nightmare. I'm so scared. They say not to YouTube it, but I'm glad I did so I learned about the very long bags. Otherwise, it would be even worse. Wish me luck!