Colostomy: 1 piece vs 2 piece

[lotte26]

Hello lovelies!

As you probably know I am a newbie colostomy bag lady. I have tried several bags and was just wanting some opinions on some things.

First off, is it normal for a flange to lift up around the stoma? I used my first 2 piece the other day and have had it on for three days. I have been noticing that output is getting under the seal though, and this worries me... The stoma nurse said it was fine because I have a colostomy, but seriously, poo on skin, any kind is not a good thing IMO. Tonight the poop was about 1 cm under the seal too, perhaps I squidge my bag to much to move poo down? Do any of you guys do this or just let it sit there and eventually fall down. I don't think I have had a big a poo for that to happen .. Lol.

Second, do you colostomates prefer one pieces or two pieces? I like the idea of two pieces much much more as I can't bear the thought of pulling off the flange two or three times a day! I have very thin sensitive skin. But on the other hand I don't want poop sitting on my skin for up to a week. Ew.


Anyway your opinions would be appreciated!

 

[Nyx]

I use a 2 piece, I'm with you, I can't stand the thought of using a one piece that stays on for a week that I can't clean thoroughly...lol My flange doesn't lift around my stoma at all and seem to only get a bit of output under it when it's getting to week point and it's time to change anyway. If it's a real problem, you can always put paste around your stoma and see if that helps or you can keep experimenting with different appliances.

I'm a poo mover too. I find I get a vacuum in my bag and it won't move on its own sometimes, so I do move it away from Oscar. Doesn't seem to affect my flange at all though.

 

[Terriernut]

Charlotte, I was thinking you could use a barrier ring as well under the appliance. That should help!

I was quite used to the one piece system. But I'm absolutely not going back to them unless I have to. (as in run out of everything else)

The two piece allows me to use a small bag for day, and a larger one for night. As a pigmy, this is a good thing! The small bag less visable obviously, the bigger one for night and early morning, and when I'm having my coffee of course.

HTH,
Misty

 

[poolside]

Would a 1 piece allow you to use the liner bags? Or do you need a 2 piece for that?

 

[poolside]

Actually can anyone tell me the benefit of using a 1 piece system? I am very curious to know what the benefit of it is...
Also, what is the benefit of using a non drainable pouch? is it cheaper or something?

Charlotte, I use the coloplast paste strips and they do a great job of preventing output from going under my flange, because that was a problem for me in the beginning.
And yes, I'm a nudger lol. I can't stand it when output comes out and is sticking straight out into no mans land. I want it down in the bag where it can live happily ever after. Until I drain it....

 

[Nyx]

You can't use a liner with a one piece because you need to be able to change it every time you go poop (or as often as you want to change it). Plus, I don't see there being a way to get it in the bag anyway. It has to stick out the opening so it just doesn't fall into the bottom of the bag and become useless.

 

[Nyx]

http://colomajic.com/

Watch the video to see how the liners work. They work with drainable and non-drainable pouches. I use non-drainable because I don't use the drain anyway so what's the point of having a lump digging into my crotch if I don't have to? lol

 

[Terriernut]

Poolside, I personally dont see the benefit of a one piece system. I have one on now because it was my emergency backup at work. Had a problem yesterday with the bag. My fault, not the bags! Anyway, when you get a whiff of something folks...run to the loo with your supplies before it's too late! Luckily, I got there before it was a big problem!

As for non drainable, I guess if you have a two piece non drainable it'd be ok for folks with colostomies maybe? Not for us ileostomists though! But you'd be changing the bag alot?
Misty

 

[poolside]

what's the point of having a lump digging into my crotch if I don't have to? lol

Hehe

Once I get rid of Mr. Burns I'm going to try a snap closure type system where I can use these liners, because I am loving the idea of flushing away instead of cleaning out the darned bag each time.

 

[Nyx]

poolside...once you try them you'll never go back to flushing out your bag again...just sayin'...best invention EVER!!!

 

[kekemonster101]

I have had both an ileostomy and a colostomy and I have to say that closed pouches are wonderful. When I had the drainable pouches, I always remember it being very unclean - having to rinse out the bag, the little tag at the end never really being clean, etc.

With a closed pouch, when your bag gets full, you just throw the bag in the trash and put on a nice, new fresh pouch every time. Its the two piece system similar to tupperware. I like the hollister brand because it has a little raised flange you can press on instead of your stomach.

Regarding the colomajic liners, they dont hold very much in them.. I only use them in an emergency when im running low on closed bags. When you have drainable pouches, usually insurances only pay for like 10 bags a month, which makes sense. However, with a closed pouch, usually they allow for at least 2 bag changes a day, or 60 a month.

I highly recommend you check out closed pouches - so much cleaner and nicer! (However they may not be ideal if you have very liquid output)