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Mar 17, 2023

Bag Longevity - When to Change?

The topic at hand is about how long you can wear an ostomy pouching system before needing to change it. The person sharing their experience has been using the same pouch for seven days without any issues like leaks or skin irritation. They are curious if there's a medical or practical reason to change a pouch that seems to be working well, or if it's okay to keep using it to save money.

Here are some helpful insights and advice from others:

- Routine or set-day changes:
- Some people prefer changing their pouch on a fixed schedule, like every Sunday or every Tuesday and Saturday, to avoid unexpected problems and make planning easier.
- A common guideline from wound-ostomy nurses is to change every three days, but personal routines can vary from three to seven days.

- Durability depends on the type of system and personal factors:
- Those using a two-piece system often keep the wafer in place longer and only change the pouch when needed.
- Users of one-piece systems report that the adhesive tends to weaken sooner, so they often limit wear time to one to four days.

- Signs it's time to change:
- A noticeable odor usually means there's seepage under the seal.
- If the flange edges are lifting, or if there's irritation or visible erosion of the barrier, it's time to change.
- Regularly checking the perimeter and inspecting the removed flange can help determine your safe wear time.

- Reported wear-time ranges:
- Some one-piece users notice an odor after 24 hours and change daily.
- Two to four days is common for those who experience skin irritation or want a safety margin.
- Six to seven days is often the maximum before the risk of leaks or irritation increases.
- A few people manage to wear their pouch for 10 or more days with specific products and good skin condition.

- Products, accessories, and strategies mentioned:
- A Hollister two-piece pouch with a Salts ring can last up to 10 or more days; change when flange extenders start lifting.
- The Salts one-piece, now discontinued, typically lasted three to four days but could stretch to two weeks in a pinch.
- Using a Stealth Belt full-time provides extra support; one user comfortably wears the appliance for a full week, even with activities like running, ocean swimming, and pool use.

- Practical tips:
- The saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies, but it's wise to have a personal maximum based on past experiences with leaks.
- Hot weather, heavy activity, and sweating can shorten wear time.
- Establish your own minimum and maximum wear time through trial and error, but change sooner if you notice odor, itching, or edge lifting.
See full discusison
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