Getting a hand held bidet sprayer to clean my drainable bags was a GAMECHANGER. Gets everything super clean and I am in and out so quick. Wish every public bathroom had one!
Maggie, this is also a great idea for RN’s to use post op. It’s so hard on nurses trying to clean out new ostomates appliances while they are laying down in a hospital bed.👌
I put water in a 2 oz Dixie brand type cup, pour it into my drainable bag, close it up, and swish it around. Then I open the bag and let it drain. I wipe the residue (which isn't much) with a a Costco brand baby wipe then close up the bag. I've been doing that for years and it takes about 15 seconds.
Thank you for this!!!!! I’m always afraid of making a bigger mess, this will help save bags! Thank you again. Anyone have ideas for doing water areobics?
I have a cheap thin plastic party tumbler cup (I think I got at the dollar store or walmart) I can bend the top if I want to make a pour spout if I want too! I fill it with water and keep it on the side of my sink in my bathroom. I can grab it with one hand, open the end of my pouch, pour water in- shake my bag around, give it a light jiggle side to side and up and down to get everything loose on the inside and drain everything out. Pour a little more inside just to give it another rinse or two (if needed) and dump again. Wipe with some toilet tissue at the end, fold it up, press the end velcro tightly with paper to be sure no water is inside the velcro bristles. Take additional clean paper towel to dry outside of bag front and back and around the wafer if needed. Wipe the toilet if any drips. Use remaining water in cup to swish a circle around the bowl as it's flushing to make sure everything is rinsed off sides of bowl as it goes down. Refill cup for next use. Wash hands thoroughly and dry. All done. :) Total time: Approx 3-5 minutes. P.S. I also do this when I am in the hospital with one of their flimsy plastic drink cups they give us for water, juice etc. I keep the cup of water on the back of the toilet in the bathroom (if I am in a room alone), otherwise I keep bringing the cup to the bathroom with me and keep it in my side table drawer wrote KEEP! For Ostomy Use Only on the cup so they dont use it or throw it out. Hope this helps too.
Thanks Maggie! I have had my iliostomy for 3 months. It is reversible. It was done due to extensive ovarian cancer where the tumor had wrap itself all around the colon. Sadly I received very little ostomy teaching before I left the hospital to deal with it on my own. Your RU-vid site has taught me everything I’ve needed to know. I’m so grateful!!❤
My son had a temporary colostomy when he was 12. He couldn’t use a syringe with one hand , but a turkey baster worked great. Lots of volume and pressure. Although we haven’t used a baster in the kitchen since then.
I have had an ostomy almost 20 years. I use the two piece large bag for lots of output. When I need to clean out my bag and exit, I use a squirt bottle of water. Fill about 1/3 full, slosh around and dump and if needed do it again. It comes out clean. I enjoy watching all of y'all that do these programs, they weren't around when I got mine.
Great idea! I about 6 months ago switched to a closed end pouch because of you. I love it. I like the idea of having a fresh bag put on each morning.. you are an inspiration thank you❤
A plastic cup of water works exceptionally well, less fumbling around and less messy. Takes 2 or 3 minutes and the whole bag is clean. I can go about 10 to 12 days before putting on a new bag. If you go longer you'll want to keep an eye on the seal around your stoma. This method has saved my skin😊
I wear a Hollister 8578 one piece, which I trim the flimsy end piece from. Gets it out of the way so that I can pour water into my bag and irrigate. Emptying is a breeze, no issues at all from cutting the end off of my bags 👍
The best way to make sure your broth isn't greasy is to lay a piece of cling film directly onto the surface then refrigerate the bowl overnight. Remove from fridge and peel back the cling film. Most if not all of the solidified fat will peel away with the film leaving grease free broth.
I use a bottle that looks like something from a lab. It holds about 2 cups of water and has a screw on lid with a pointed tip, and a tube that goes down to the bottom of the bottle, which is soft plastic. I keep it filled with clean water and after emptying my bag I squirt some water down into my bag. It is very helpful as you hold it upright and squeeze the bottle and the water comes from the bottom of the bottle, so no tipping and making a mess. I bought a 3 pack from Amazon for just a few dollars and granted you can't really carry it around with you everywhere, but it really helps. The spout is part of the lid and a tube, like from a spray bottle goes down to the bottom of the bottle. It looks like a bottle with tubing that looks like the number 7. It's so helpful for me, and I also use it when I have really thick output. I open the bag, squirt water in, then I close the bag and massage the water through the output and then I open the bag and it comes out so easily. I am also meticulous about cleaning the opening of my bag, I have never had a bag leak or be nasty and smelly. I keep a bottle by the toilet and I have one that I keep at my Moms house for when I visit. I don't know why you couldn't use the same bottle or similar to the deodorizer bottles. You could even carry it with you in your purse or a bag. Just putting my 2 cents in. I hope this helps you. I don't have a link to the bottles, but I think I got them from the craft section.
I use a plastic plant watering container with a long, narrow spout. It holds lots of water and I insert it in the end of my bag. Swirl around, empty and repeat, wipe the opening with toilet paper. I have been doing this for 19 years. Works well.
I have been using an empty M9 bottle for cleaning out my ostomy bag. I replace the bottle every couple of months. Like AdoptedYooper I trim the flimsy end from my Hollister bag. Thanks Maggie you are the best
I use these twist close, squirt bottles from Amazon. I use the 6 ounce at home & carry a filled 4 ounce in my purse (they seal closed and don’t leak). They work great, the stream can be pointed. I’ve done this for the year I’ve had my colostomy. I can’t get the link to work, just search this for different sizes. “Twist Top Applicator Bottles, Squeeze 4 OZ Empty Plastic Bottles, Refillable, Black Open/Close Nozzle - Multi Purpose (Pack of 2)”.
First off, I think floral dresses are the best at hiding ostomies! Second, when I had an ostomy I really liked that blue stuff you recommended that you can squirt into your bag to get rid of the smell, and also I felt it kept things cleaner.
Good to know. Re: bone broth I ordered the large 1.8 lb container of the Pure Paleo bone broth powder which was pricy but it's lasted 6 months, and has provided good nutrition. I throw a boullion cube in the cup to add flavor.
I do find some brands of drainable bag easier to empty and clean than others. My go-to is the Coloplast Sensura Mio drainable bags, I find them easy to drain and I keep the end clean by wiping the edge first with toilet paper, then folding some up and wiping the inside of the spout. It gets it very clean before I fold it back up. In contrast I've currently got on a post-op bag, Dansac nova life, and it is really hard to drain and impossible to keep clean. The end doesn't want to open, so you can't clean, and if you try it sprays on you!
I've been just rinsing my bag out with my hospital container for 5 yrs now, just open the bottom, pour water in it , do not close , just swish it, empty, then pour water in it again , rinse and empty. I chang my unit every 2 days...your bags are very big I think compared to my Hollister bags. I to am petite and did not like the big ones..👍
Same here. I have a bottle of water in the bathroom and I just fill the bag, swish and swoosh the water around and then empty it. Repeat as many times as needed. Then I use toilet paper to clean and dry the bag opening. I think the regular water rinsing has helped prevent skin irritation, too.
I’ve had an ostomy now for 4 months. At home, I keep a little jug in the bathroom and each time I empty, I pour water into my drainable bag and swill it around. I do this in small amounts until I am content. It helps me feel clean throughout the day. It only takes a few seconds. Then wipe the end dry with a wet wipe.
I wear a two piece coloplast i use some toilet paper to clean the opening.I make the toilet paper into a cone shape to clean. When I was using a one piece I cleaned the same way with the toilet paper. I really like my 2 piece. I have had my ostomy for for 50 years. I had tried using the water but when i was working using water to clean just didn't work. Yes sometimes i do have the leaking at the corners. I am short like you I wish i could using a child sixe but it is to small. One thing you talked about that I have always wanted to do is the IV fluids . i am going to start that soon,so wants for that great idea.
I always add salt or extra bullion to boxed bone broth. The College Inn Bone Broth is the best tasting. It's approx $4 for 32 oz in my area of Virginia.
I have had an ostomy since 2013 I started with a drainable bag and hated them I think they are not very sanitary I talked to my ostomy nurse and she got me the disposable ones and I think they are so much better I'll never go back
What I've started doing with every emptying session is I just pour warm water up into the bag, seal the bottom up and pretend it's now a water balloon and really swish the water throughout the bag even up over my stoma. Then empty out and repeat the steps until pretty well cleaned. But I'm noticing my output is more like liquid grease so it really hangs on in the bag. I'm having issues opening the flimsy opening plastic for the Hollister bag so this is a work in progress. Then once it's all cleared then I use a wet pipe to clean inside opening.
I honestly haven’t had an issue until I tried another brand that had this opening. I hated it . The bag felt amazing on my skin but the emptying and cleaning was grim . I went straight back to my coloplast sensura bags and the opening is soooooooo much easier to clean .
I use adult flushable, septic safe, hypoallergenic wipes also besides the rolling lock or the Velcro drainable bags that is firm and not flappy at all and I honestly have a perfectly clean bag and I’ve never had a leak out the end of my bag either on COLOPLAST …..Hollister yes, a little if there gets a little pin hole in it towards the change time because of all the rolling and locking but other than that COLOPLAST never leaks on the end??? So any way pt 2 lol
Do you switch to a high-output bag at night?? I can't figure out how to get it clean and can't use a new bag every day due to insurance limitations. I have an ileostomy that's very active at night even though the output is on the thicker side.
I have been struggling so bad with keeping my ostomy bag connected to my skin. The like surrounding adhesive ALWAYS comes off and I’m using so much tape to keep the edges on. My stomach is lumpy from loosing weight after my cancer surgery. I really wanted to keep the type of bag I have because it folds up but it barely makes it 2 days. Any recommendations?
Use the adhesive remover before new bag and make sure the oiley residue is gone before placing new bag. I know everyones skin is different but using an alcohol wipe to get left over oils from the remover really helped me and the new adhesive to stick. Just dont get the rubbing alcohol on your actual stoma. Some will say this is forbidden, BUT it helped me tremendously. Also, see your wound care/stoma nurse for other tips. The barrier paste didnt work for me but some say it works great for them. I used to use the adhesive wipes but I think it made things slip around too much. Especially in hot weather. Try to keep it simple, and best of luck😊
You may want to order a larger size wax ring. I had the exact same issue after my cancer and weight loss. I use a 4” ring and cut it to fit my exact size for me. It works beautifully, I hope it helps you. Best wishes to you.
@@AdoptedYooper I am only five weeks into having my stoma and do you mean like the paste or the moldable paste strips? i’ve been dealing with the same problem as well as stool, getting trapped under the ring and irritating my skin even more than it already is
Bone broth is made from boiling beef bones in water to dissolve the marrow into a broth. It doesn’t dissolve the bones. It takes a few days of boiling to make a good traditional broth from scratch or you can buy a packaged version from any Asian store. Recipes may be found on RU-vid or internet.
The bones don’t dissolve, just the marrow inside. If you add a teaspoon of cider vinegar, it helps the marrow to break down. I make mine in an Instant Pot. Only takes 3 hours or so, versus 24 hours simmering on the stove.
I sometimes just use a 3 oz bathroom cup and put water in it and then into my drainable ostomy bag and then dump it out into the toilet and it rinses the end cleaner and I wipe it out with a little toilet tissue.
I have had a lot of trouble with trying to gain weight after my last 3 emergency surgeries in March and I have the same problem with staying hydrated after the surgeries as well. So if you or anyone has any advice or suggestions on what to do? I would really appreciate it.
I had those issues for years when my Crohn’s was flaring. I had a PICC and used IV fluids at home as needed for hydration. It usually increased the diarrhea, but at least I could get fluids via my veins . I did this on and off as needed for about 7 years.
I have a stoma on the wrong side because of the curv of my spine. So its also more on my side then most ostamy. Any idea to clean it better with out spilling it? I am also in a wheelchair
Yes, I’ve been using the portable bidet sprayer myself and it’s been working really well to clean bag as well as to clean my five week old stoma when time for new bag change .
I may try this. I wipe with toilet paper three times and then use a wet wipe. I may add this to my routine. I've also thought about cleaning from the ring but I'm too scared 😂
FREE TIP - I re-use a small drinking water bottle to clean ostomy bag. Its big enough to hold enough water, easy enough to use one handed and gets the job done :)
I just received my stoma August 17 and had to pretty much figure out everything on my own. I recently purchased a portable, bidet/postpartum bottle and that’s what I’ve been using to clean the end of my bag as well as my stoma, when it’s time for a new one. If there’s anybody out there that has any tips or suggestions for me about how to heal my skin cuz for some reason the rings I’ve been using I’m having a reaction to and it’s peeling my skin entirely off and I dread having to put another bag back on. it’s been causing me a lot of pain and I really don’t know what to do for it other than the stoma powder I was given. Also, if anybody has any tips on how I can get my stool to stop going underneath my barrier ring, it would be greatly appreciated. My stoma is flushed to my skin and nothing seems to be helping to keep it from going under my ring and irritating my skin that’s already irritated even more😢
Ah yes, the time has come, i am getting my operation next week, i am going to the hospital the 27th and the operation the 28th i am getting a a stoma for my Small colon, my bigger colon is getting removed except i am keeping my anus and 10 cm or so from the big one.
