Where to Buy Ostomy Supplies Online?

When I left the hospital, the wound care nurse basically threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at me as far as ostomy supplies go. All Hollister products. I'm good for another month, easy...

I contacted other companies, answered a few questions, and they sent sample packages.

I think Coloplast was the first that I tried, and that bag lasted all of 2 hours before an audible "nope..." and I went back to the Hollister stuff. The adhesive was weak sauce... I will concede it may be user error, but the Hollister stuff seems to have enough buffer to account for idiot me and not leak all over.

The next package of goodies came from ConvaTec. Impressive!!! They sent sample bags AND a zippered and Velcro flap jump bag full of sticky pad extenders, curved scissors, barrier film, sterile gauze pads, and all the things. I haven't tried the bags yet.

Anyhow, I'm pragmatic. I don't care who gets my money; I just want to stick the bag on, it not leak, oh, and I prefer not to die of sepsis or end up with sores, bruises, and other skin irritation.

Is there a one-stop shop to order all this shi.... stuff? Click, click, add to cart and done?

Yep, plenty of places to order.

If your insurance covers DME (durable medical equipment), I'd go that route first to save you out-of-pocket expenses. Call your insurance company and ask if they cover ostomy supplies and who the supplier is. The supplier will need a prescription from your physician or surgeon in order to fill the request. Write down all of the supplies you will want/need with product numbers to be sure you will get the correct supplies and how many days' worth.

If not using insurance for whatever reason, there are many companies online that sell ostomy supplies; check around for the best prices. Amazon, eBay, even OfferUp. Your closest support group may have a donation closet you can take advantage of, or places that accept medical supply donations may have ostomy supplies for free or the cost of an application.

Good luck!

It sounds like the hospital my husband was in had the same policy! What a confusing launch into the real world!

The WOCN (Ostomy Nurse) for aftercare was the greatest help. She recommended the place we order supplies from and ordered various samples from manufacturers to try. She also recommended several resources to find more information: UOAA, Ostomy101, myostomy.com, Mr. Colitis, Joy Hopper, and of course this forum.

Hubz is only on week nine, so we're navigating the new normal. As most folks say, the only way to find what works for you is to keep trying various products.

YouTube has been helpful as well. Two favorites are 'Let's Talk IBD' and 'Vegan Ostomate.'

UOAA also lists local support groups!
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Awesome! The various manufacturers offer samples, but none sell directly. Some of the sites we've looked at so far seem super sketchy. Thanks for the info!

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

My insurance has been amazing; three companies we've spoken with want a prescription first. To prescribe what?

I just see it as a doctor prescribing food in general. I don't know exactly what I'll need, how many, and for how long. I'm sure my preferences and needs will change. So, it's all a process to learn.

My ostomy nurse set up my first order, but I've done it since then. I use Edgepark, but there are other suppliers, and the best one is the one that works with your insurance. I've heard good and bad things about all of them.

With Edgepark, I place an order, they send it to my doctor's office for a prescription. Once they get the prescription, they get an estimate of insurance coverage from my insurance. Assuming I don't owe anything, they ship it out. Sounds long and complicated, but it actually only takes a few days. I generally have it in about 5 days later.

Ordering is complex because there are so many variations. I used the receipt from my nurse's order the first time. If you don't have that, try to get the part numbers off the sample boxes or call the manufacturer and get one of their nurses to help you.

Some companies may need you to get the prescription first, so you will send the list of part numbers to your surgeon's office. His staff should be able to help you.