Ziploc Bag for Ostomy Bag Change Prep and Travel

Forgive me if somebody else already posted about this, and they probably did, but it's a new discovery to me.
I have frequently forgotten my silicone ring when I do bag changes. Today I had to do a bag change rather randomly after changing only two days ago, and it made me upset. I forgot the silicone ring. The silicone ring with an ostomy, particularly with the ileostomy, really helps me. But if I forget it, it's not like I can take everything off because it doesn't stick well after that. I'm probably preaching to the choir when I say that, but I had to explain that as my friend said to take it off and put it back with the ring, she couldn't understand why I couldn't do it. But I've tried, and it doesn't work. So anyway, everything I need for a bag change is in a Ziploc bag, and then if it pops off, you can grab the Ziploc bag and run into the bathroom. It's a simple idea, but it's genius to me. And you guys know since this happened in September with little warning, I'm very depressed. I'm panicking, so her idea is really helpful for me as I begin the bag changes this year to have this prep work done in advance. So in my bag, I have the actual ostomy bag, of course. The barrier, the silicone ring, barrier wipe, adhesive remover wipe. I should put the tape in there, but the tape is irritating me, so I'm taking a break. I have the stoma powder. The actual barrier, or I should say appliance, I have it pre-cut because my stoma isn't changing right now. I think it's great because the actual Ziploc bag can be used for emptying if you're not near a toilet. So I'm gonna use it for travel, but it's also great just to have a few of them at home. I have 3, and to have the appliance pre-cut is great. I may add one of the measuring tools and a small bag of baby wipes. Maybe the scissors, maybe a garbage bag. I mean, essentially, it's like having a bunch of travel stoma prep bags for in-home use. I just thought I would share that in case it helps anybody, especially people new to this.

G-Day JVM261, Whatever works for you is the right thing. Enjoy the New Year with your new knowledge. Regards, IGGIE x

Hi J

Good for you, there are various ways to deal with changes on the run, for example, a smaller plastic rubbish bag and a collapsible bin/bowl/container to safely cradle the rubbish bag. All requiring very little space to store.

I also find the silicone measuring cups helpful for being on the go with the ileostomy. That's probably the one good thing the hospital taught me. That and those little Diamond (name brand) things that soak up the water. They are expensive, but good for on-the-go travel too.

I'm up after my third bag change today. I'm not sure what's happening. It's about 5 AM here, and I just finished bag change number three. Number one was in the early morning, and number two was right before bed around midnight. I have never had so many leaks in one day. I usually cook rice in the pressure cooker since I got a stoma, but my friend insisted on cooking it in the pot, and it wasn't soft enough, but it wasn't that hard. Just a little… I think the prep bags have been my saving grace for tonight. I'm exhausted, but it made the change much easier. And I'm much more relaxed.

I'm pretty sure it won't be the rice. If you have been going well so far, it may just be a glitch in your setup. Multiple leaks do take a toll, but I'm sure you will get on top of it 😃

Hi JVM, when you take the flange/wafer off, look at the side that sticks to your skin and see if there is an area that is eroded away more than the rest of the flange. Maybe add some paste or a piece of a ring in that area to build it up. I have a dip at the bottom of my stoma, so I put a piece of a ring there and then the whole ring on top so it's flat and the wafer on then. Good luck.

It was usually the left side. I don't know what it means, paste? I tried to do the powder barrier wipe paste thing, but that didn't help. Is there a special tube paste? The first bag change I forgot the gel ring, the second, I made the gel ring too big. The third, the output was like cement, needed things to be thicker, but that was ridiculous, and it was sitting too close to the top of the bag. Now that I have time to think about everything and I'm more awake, I think that was why so many changes. Ugh. I'm learning. Thanks for the help.

I've managed to solve my erosion problems simply by going to a convex wafer. It was that simple for me, and I feel very lucky for that. It was a year this past Friday since I was blessed with my attachment. I am hoping I can continue the lucky streak. 😎

Daniel

Every time you make a mistake, you learn from it. It's only time for you to get it just right, and it all works for you. Keep learning. IGGIE