This topic is about exploring how long ostomy bags, specifically Hollister and similar brands, can be safely reused. The person sharing their experience is curious about the true lifespan of these pouches and is looking for advice on reusing them effectively and safely. Here are some insights and tips gathered from the discussion:

1. The person currently changes their Hollister 2-piece barrier and pouch every other day. They are curious if a single pouch can be washed, dried, and reused multiple times.

2. Their routine involves removing the pouch, washing it with warm soapy water, patting and air-drying it, and then reattaching it for one additional day, usually on weekends.

3. They are considering using each pouch twice or more before discarding it and are seeking advice on the pros and cons, potential failure modes, and hygiene tips.

4. Money is not the main concern; the interest lies in understanding the true lifespan of the pouch.

5. They plan to reuse a pouch until it fails, suspecting that a tear from a hard food particle might be the cause of failure.

6. Loperamide (Imodium) has little effect on them, even in high doses.

7. They rotate stored, washed pouches, allowing them to sit dry for weeks and inspecting each carefully before reuse.

8. The longest they have worn a system is four days, with a narrow "safe" morning window for changing before showering.

Advice and insights from others include:

- Wear-time varies widely, with some users changing daily and others managing up to 7-10 days. Many average 2-4 days.
- Funding and coverage for supplies vary by location, with some regions offering free supplies or reimbursements.
- For cleaning and disinfection, wash with warm soapy water, then dip in white vinegar or spray with a mild bleach solution, rinse well, and dry thoroughly.
- Reuse increases the risk of bacterial or fungal contamination, so inspect for odor, discoloration, or weakened seams.
- Common failure modes include seam separation, adhesive lifting, tears from hard food particles, and loss of clip integrity.
- Tips to extend wear time include using baby oil or lubricating deodorant inside the pouch, rinsing with warm water, and controlling output consistency with diet.
- Historical practices involved reusing early rubber pouches, and modern plastic bags can be reused short-term if cleaned properly.
- Reusing pouches can reduce waste but must be balanced against hygiene and reliability concerns.