Shower aprons, or plastic pouch covers are products that may protect the appliance, keeping it dry. The Glad® kitchen plastic wrap product, Press'n Seal™, may be effective for individuals with minimal abdominal hair. Apply a large piece of the product over the appliance, pressing directly onto the surrounding abdomen.
In the shower with a stoma bag
Our stoma bags are waterproof, which means it is not necessary to cover either one. However, if you wear a bag with a filter, cover this with the protective sticker that comes in the box with your stoma bags.
You can bath or shower with your bag on or off
It really is just personal preference. If you have a well behaved stoma, that doesn't function at certain times of the day, it does make it easier to have a bath without your bag on.
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
The BBC Radio 1 presenter had a stoma bag, which she refers to as Audrey, fitted last October after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. The operation diverts one end of the colon, which is part of the bowel, through an opening in the abdomen called a stoma.
Rinsing your ostomy bag
After you've cleared your bag from all its contents (with a good aim, hopefully), you can rinse the bag with water.
In fact, 29%* of colostomy patients always shower bag-less, another 29%* on 3-4 days per week. However, in case of a recent surgery, wounds, or high output, you should leave the bag on while showering.
The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.
You can wear a standard one-piece suit, a tankini, or a high-waisted bikini. A two-piece swim dress is comfortable, convenient, and easily conceals your ostomy bag. Darker colors, gathering in the midsection, or patterns will distract the eye and make your pouching system less noticeable.
Shower aprons, or plastic pouch covers are products that may protect the appliance, keeping it dry. The Glad® kitchen plastic wrap product, Press'n Seal™, may be effective for individuals with minimal abdominal hair. Apply a large piece of the product over the appliance, pressing directly onto the surrounding abdomen.
Be sure to use a well-fitting ostomy solution
To protect the skin around your stoma it is essential that you use a well-fitting ostomy solution that enables you to obtain a secure and snug fit. Your body profile may change over time so it is advisable to take a BodyCheck every now and again.
Make sure your clothes are not too tight around the bag.
You may need to be careful that waistbands do not rest below the stoma restricting ability to drain into your pouch. Depending on stoma placement, you may feel more comfortable with high- or low-rise waistband items, like underwear, jeans, or activewear.
Sleeping positions with a stoma
Laying on your stomach may increase the chance of leaks if the stoma becomes active and the bag begins to fill up. There's not really a way around this. Ostomates usually know when the stoma is generally going to be active if they eat and drink at the same times every day.
Wash your hands before and after caring for your stoma. The best way to clean the skin around your stoma is to use warm water and a washcloth, or soft paper towels. The use of gauze or gloves is not needed.
What is ballooning? Ballooning occurs when your stoma bag blows up with wind. This is usually due to the filter becoming wet or blocked from stoma output.
Empty and remove your pouch and barrier before showering/bathing. Get the next pouch and barrier ready for afterwards. Don't have the shower water temperature too hot. Avoid the direct stream from the shower onto your stoma.
Avoid foods that commonly cause gas. These include beans, cabbage, onions, and spicy foods. Some foods can cause cramping or may be difficult to pass through an ostomy if they are not chewed well. These include nuts, popcorn, and corn.
Drink 8 to 10 (8-ounce) glasses (about 2 liters) of liquids throughout the day. Drink sports drinks (such as Gatorade or Powerade) and oral rehydration solutions (such as Pedialyte®), if you can. These drinks will help keep you from becoming dehydrated.
Some people have 2 or 3 movements a day, while others have a bowel movement every 2 or 3 days or even less often. It may take some time after surgery to figure out what's normal for you. While many descending and sigmoid colostomies can be trained to move regularly, some cannot.
Many patients use wet wipes to clean around the stoma, I personally advise against this for several reasons: Wet wipes contain chemicals and the additives used in the wipe is to maintain the moisture once the pack is opened.
Well, elimination of waste is a major body function and your elimination of waste has changed; in fact you need to wear a prosthetic device (ostomy appliance) to manage this change. You have a record of an impairment of a major body function, therefore you are protected by the provisions of the ADA.
If you allow it to get too full, the weight of the stool may pull the pouch away from the skin. A person with an ileostomy will need to empty the pouch about five or six times in a 24-hour period. If you have a colostomy, you will need to empty the pouch two or three times in a 24-hour period.
Rolf Benirschke is a former NFL player with the San Diego Chargers. His ulcerative colitis resulted in two ostomies. He became the first professional athlete to have an ostomy while playing. Jerry Kramer is a former NFL player with the Green Bay Packers.