As is most things in life they can be very subjective. When it comes to shopping and especially items that fit you personally it really is hard to identify what is best and what is not. There are lots of qualities that could help with this but over the years I have learned that really only you can be the best judge. So when it comes to items that are used for your own ostomy health it really does become personal. But I didn’t find the items that worked the best by simply finding them all on my own. There are a few things that I learned along the way that helped me find the perfect place for me to get my gear. The first think I did after the whole sotomy surgery and joys of information overload was to talk to someone different than my surgeon or ostomy nurse. Granted they were both amazing and clearly had done this a ton. The information they gave was helpful, fashion forward surprisingly and focused on my personal health. But they gave lots of options and I found that talking with my local Pharmacist was a big help. They took information and put it on a very personal level and with a bit of a different experience. They were able to walk through brands and go through the companies that make them as well. I like to know who I am buying from and what they stand for. My first pharmacist I talked to was local and right around the corner and led me to try some products from Hollister Ostomy Supplies. Now this was just one of many brands that they carried and they walked through some good reasons why the company was known for being quality. They also told me that ostomy Supplies had a really good customer service department not only for retailers but for personal shoppers as well. The pharmacist told me that I could call the company and get even more information not just on use but on the designs and why things work the way they do in certain circumstances. This was an area that I was really happy to hear about and it turned out to be correct. I now do the majority of my shopping directly from the website, but I always suggest people go and talk to their local pharmacist first. I also like to support locals and sometimes they have great sales!Getting your Ostomy Gear at the Best Place As is most things in life they can be very subjective. When it comes to shopping and especially items that fit you personally it really is hard to identify what is best and what is not. There are lots of qualities that could help with this but over the years I have learned that really only you can be the best judge. So when it comes to items that are used for your own ostomy health it really does become personal. But I didn’t find the items that worked the best by simply finding them all on my own. There are a few things that I learned along the way that helped me find the perfect place for me to get my gear. The first think I did after the whole sotomy surgery and joys of information overload was to talk to someone different than my surgeon or ostomy nurse. Granted they were both amazing and clearly had done this a ton. The information they gave was helpful, fashion forward surprisingly and focused on my personal health. But they gave lots of options and I found that talking with my local Pharmacist was a big help. They took information and put it on a very personal level and with a bit of a different experience. They were able to walk through brands and go through the companies that make them as well. I like to know who I am buying from and what they stand for. My first pharmacist I talked to was local and right around the corner and led me to try some products from Hollister Ostomy Supplies. Now this was just one of many brands that they carried and they walked through some good reasons why the company was known for being quality. They also told me that Hollister Ostomy Supplies had a really good customer service department not only for retailers but for personal shoppers as well. The pharmacist told me that I could call the company and get even more information not just on use but on the designs and why things work the way they do in certain circumstances. This was an area that I was really happy to hear about and it turned out to be correct. I now do the majority of my shopping directly from the website, but I always suggest people go and talk to their local pharmacist first. I also like to support locals and sometimes they have great sales!
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Ostomy bag is essential for every type of ostomy surgery. Every patient needs ostomy appliances including pouches. After the operation, a person’s natural way of excretion cannot function. Therefore, in the belly wall, doctors create an artificial hole for stool and urine to come out. The opening in the abdomen is called a stoma. Stoma needs something to cover it. Moreover, it requires a system that can collect the waste matter of the body. You cannot leave the stoma open and let the feces and urine to flow out. Therefore, you attach a container to the opening to close it and fetch the excretion. Such appliances are called ostomy bag or pouch. There are different kinds of ostomy bags. However, the two common forms are a one-piece ostomy bag and a two-piece ostomy bag. One-Piece Ostomy Bag In the one-piece ostomy pouching system there is a skin barrier or wafer attached to the pouch; therefore, doctors called it one-unit appliance. The application and handling of the one-piece system are simple. However, while changing it, a patient needs to change the entire structure which includes the skin barrier and container. Well, there is no need to get confused about the type of ostomy bags. Your nurse will guide you regarding choosing the right system for your stoma. The health care provides you the best recommendation about the wound of the stoma and the bag you should pick. They will suggest you either choose a drainable, closed pouch, one-piece, or two-piece bags. Closed and drainable ostomy bags are another type of the pouching system. Closed bags are for the one time use only. Once the container gets half-full, the patient has to replace it with the new one and discard it. You can throw it in the trash bin or flush it away. When it comes to a drainable ostomy pouch, you can clean, empty, and wash it. These are reusable containers. You can change it two to three times a week. It depends on the excretion and adhesive attached to the edges of the container. Drainable one-piece ostomy bags get the most satisfactory results from the users. It can control the odor and leakage. Moreover, it can control the release of intestinal gas. Many people showed up to the mark responses regarding its control-management. Ostomy bags come into various styles, sizes, and designs. Every person’s stoma size is different from others. Therefore, a single size of the pouch is not enough for every stoma. On the personal preferences, a patient can select ostomy appliances. If some people have trouble managing the two-piece or for the visually impaired patient, the one-piece system is the best pick. Advantages of the One-Piece Ostomy Pouch For many patients, one-piece ostomy bags are just perfect. Some people face difficulty in applying containers and skin barriers. Therefore, when both things attached, the application for elderly people and visually impaired people is easy. Moreover, it consists of a flat position; therefore, arthritis and weak eyesight patients can paste it directly to the stoma. Some patients have uneven peristomal skin; therefore, it is difficult for them to paste a two-piece pouching system. In this scenario, the one-piece bag helps a lot. Another trump card of a one-piece ostomy bag is its visibility. They are less visible under your clothes; thus, they will cushion you from embarrassment in front of others. Because the skin barrier has attached to the pouch; therefore, it has almost minimum chances of detachment in public. Moreover, it is less expensive than two-piece ostomy bags. For permanent ostomates, it is a perfect choice because all the appliances come together and cost you less. Disadvantages of the One-Piece Ostomy Pouch A patient has to change one-piece ostomy bag frequently, and the skin barrier attached to the edges; therefore, it can cause irritation and redness on the peristomal skin. That can lead to a skin infection. What are the Ostomy Bags? Difference Between One-piece, Two-piece, and Drainable Bags Ostomy Bags5/10/2020 When a patient goes through the ostomy surgery, he needs some significant ostomy supplies. A nurse guides the patient about the use of these accessories. Well, the ostomy pouch is a vital element for ostomy surgery. After the operation, you need a container that can hold the waste of the body. Moreover, you cannot overlook the type of bag. It depends on the type of ostomy surgery (colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy). For every operation, there should be a different bag. Every type of ostomy bag’s job is to collect the stool and urine. There are some disposable and some reusable pouches. It depends on the need of the patient. For example, for transverse colostomy, a person should wear a disposable container. After the one use, he can discard it and apply the new one. Every ostomy bag’s style is different. Some pouches are open from the bottom that allows an easy expel of the waste. Some are closed and a few are removable. Moreover, some are invisible underdress. Ostomy bags are perfectly safe to wear on your stoma. They protect the peristomal through the coupling. This strictly holds and sticks to the body and prevents the stool and urine from leakage. Every type of ostomy pouch is not suitable for every type of skin. Therefore, the patient should ask the nurse or doctor, after their recommendation they should choose the bag. Classification of Ostomy Bags Ostomy bags have two general types.
One-Piece Ostomy Bag In a one-piece ostomy bag, the adhesive wafer has attached to the edges. The stickiness of the glue is permanent; therefore, it is hard or impossible to detach it. If you try, you will damage the pouch. Moreover, due to the strictness of the appliance, it usually not recommended to the elder or visually impaired patients. However, a one-piece ostomy bag is flexible than a two-piece. Moreover, it is fast and easy to apply. You can quickly replace it. It is less-in weight; therefore, a patient can peacefully carry it. The drawback of the appliance is adhesive. The peristomal get damaged because of the glue. Two-Piece Ostomy Bag
Well, the name shows that the two-piece ostomy bag will have two units. Therefore, the skin barrier is a separate appliance in this type of pouching system. It has a flange that connects the skin barrier and ostomy container. Moreover, there is a plastic ring that snaps into place. Well, this ostomy pouching system is expensive; however, you can use the skin barrier after two to three days. The two-piece ostomy bag has the adhesive wafer that has attached to the releasable coupling. Therefore, while separating the appliance, the body or peristomal skin won’t get damaged. Therefore, the application is comparatively easy for elder and visually impaired people. Drainable Ostomy Bag A drainable ostomy bag has open ends. They have designed in a way that the edges sealed with a clamp, clip, press, or Velcro. The best part of these pouches is easy washing and replacing the system. A patient can empty and wash the appliance in any public restroom or gathering. Once he knows the proper use of the bag, it is uncomplicated for him to replace or clean it. These pouches are common for ileostomy patients. For those who need frequent expel of the waste. Patients who have resection in the upper section of the colon can have the best use of it. The keynote of the appliance is, it should be emptied when half-full. The drainable ostomy pouch is drainable and reusable. Therefore, you should know when the bag is half-full. You should empty it after intervals. Some people find difficulty in cleaning and emptying the container. Moreover, they face some discomfort while re-attaching it. However, you should be careful with adhesive. Moreover, you can have an extra system along with you. One of my favorite times of the day is when I am able to pull out my special shoes, put on my toe socks, and go job a trail at my local park. It is truly the one time of the day I am able to just kick back and enjoy the peace of the outdoors. It is that peace that I feel that worried me the most when I heard I was going to need an ostomy. It was not the fear of the surgery, but the thought of not having that special time for myself when I am able to run through my hard day and find a great time of rejuvenation. That is why I am so happy to tell you that running is 100% possible with a stoma. It was in no way a hindrance to my favorite part of my life. That small 30 minutes to an hour every other day still happens. Now it is a little different now, but it still happens. So I just want to give you a little hope and maybe a hint or two at how to enjoy running or get on track to doing it as well. My journey didn't just happen right after surgery. I wish I would have been able to do that but I had a lot to learn. The new lifestyle change that everyone told me it would be was not acceptable. Instead of a lifestyle change, I decided I would not accept mediocrity. I decided that I would learn how to get the gear that would allow me to live normally. The history records show that I didn't have to have a massive lifestyle change. People have had stoma's for hundreds of years or more and they have lived incredible normal lives. I love the fact that others have gone before me and done what I wanted. So I followed their footsteps and their lives. That is where you should start as well. Find people that do what you want to do and also have a stoma. Learn how they did it and how they are able to succeed at it. Read their posts and blogs and learn from their mistakes. If they are willing to share it then you won't have to actually make the same failures that they did. It is because of this that I am so grateful for them. My hero Jack Holst is one of the best athletes in the world and he has a stoma. He ran an Iron Man Competition and it gave me hope. He did it with a regular amount of stoma gear and it was just the stuff that worked well for him. In 12 hours he ran a marathon, biked 100 miles, and swam two miles. It was an amazing act and it showed me that as long as I worked out slowly and got my body safely into shape that I could accomplish my daily or every other day jogs at my favorite park too. I love the fact that I am able to get out and jog now, but I started slow. I started walking around my home. Then I started adding in hills and elevation. Then I started on the elliptical and then finally jogging. It was a great way to learn and I wouldn't have done it any other way. |