Switching to Two-Piece Bags: Need Advice

I currently use a one-piece bag but am interested in trying different types to see what works best for me. I have read into two-piece bags but don't completely understand and was wondering if someone with one would be able to give me some advice. Do you have to change the pouch and the flange every time, or does the flange stay stuck on and you just change the pouch? If so, how long can you keep the flange on for? Thanks for the help. x

Depending on the quality of the flange, the average use is 1 flange per 3 bags. So the flange can stay put during the use of about 3 bags. However some use more, some use less. Best to experiment yourself.

Regardless of a one or two-piece system, I have a four-day wear rate. Any more, I get itchy and susceptible to leaks. I like the two-piece system because I can see what is going on better, whether I want to investigate the stoma or change a bag out within my four-day wear. I like to change the bag after eating fish! I recently switched from Hollister to Coloplast (see my video for product details http://youtu.be/XekikZAJr1I). Hollister bags needed to be switched every two days as they degenerated at the emptying end and the cloth started to look ugly. I find the Coloplast bags hold up for the four-day wear time I adhere to. FYI - The system I am using is more expensive as they are extended wear. Therefore, my government plan gives me fewer bags/flanges per month. But it all balances out.

I have a colostomy and started out using the Coloplast 1-piece drainable. My insurance would cover 20 of these per month, but I was not too fond of them. I tried different types and finally settled with the two-piece Hollister 15203 flange with the 18373 disposable pouch. I have had no problems with this setup except when I sweat, but the same happened with the 1-piece Coloplast. The setup I have now allows me to receive 60 pouches and 20 flanges per month, and the flange usually stays on for 5 days. I have gotten 7 days out of 1 flange, and it was still stuck pretty well when I changed it. I found that if my stool is tight, I can also empty the pouch and reuse it, as I am in construction and we use porta-potties. The idea is to spend as little time in one as you have to, and of course, everyone seeing you walking out carrying a bag to the dumpster like you just walked your dog. I can shower with this setup and have even gone swimming with it, and it stays stuck. It is made of a soft cloth material, which allows it to bend with you, unlike the Coloplast, which had a hard flange. You can change the pouch twice a day and still have enough pouches by the time the new supply arrives. These are also vented, so you don't have to burp them, and the charcoal filter eliminates odor. Hope this helps.

Ed

Convatec 2 piece in the 32mm flange and size small bags allow for low rise jeans and easy hiding!!

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I have the Hollister 2-piece. I like it because it was easier for me to apply it with the hair dryer and not melt the bag. I don't get to last that long with my setup due to the stoma being placed in a deep scar, so I change it every day, sometimes twice a day. To help out more, the nurse put me in the 4-inch wafer so it would grab more skin to seal. This helped me out a little. I don't have a nice little stoma like most do, and it's not perfectly round like most either. I have always liked the 2-piece for me, but as you will hear, call all the companies, get their free samples, and try them all. Try the wax rings, try using the hair dryer to heat the wafer; that worked great for me. Well, good luck with your new adventure, and remember that you can come to this site and bitch, complain, or even throw a fit. There is always someone that will listen to you here.

I am using the Hollister two-piece 3703 flange and the 3803 bag. I empty and reuse my bags, and they last for two to three weeks. The flange I change once every two weeks. I am new to this adventure myself, and mine was due to getting stabbed twice. I wasn't even damaged there, but the doctor removed my colon just because I had a history of ulcerative colitis, so he said he took it out since he had me open, without my permission.

I get about five days out of a flange. Less in hot, humid summer weather. I use Coloplast Sensura and love it. There is a pouch and flange for everyone, and you just need to get samples and find the one that works for you.

How an who do I contact to get the free samples to try these other types of supplies?

Google names of ostomy suppliers, e.g., online http://www.us.coloplast.com/about/contactus/ http://www.hollister.com/us/contact/, and call their customer service numbers.

ok thanks

I call edgepark for my supplies, and the reps there always hook me up with a free sample kit of almost any ostomy supply I could ever want. Personally, between convatec, coloplast, and hollister, I prefer coloplast's Sensura one piece drainable bags. They last, are durable, etc. The convatec 2 piece was fine with the post-op one-touch adapters, but for some reason it didn't seem to have good odor control and I could smell when my stoma had decided to produce a lot. I treat my hollister one piece drainable bags as in-case-of-emergency, because I have a few samples but am unimpressed. Hollister works, but Coloplast just seems to suit me more, and is heavier duty. My max wear time for any of the above, even if it's extended wear or duraplast, is 4 days. I once did 5, but I was itchy from the adhesive by that time. I have also found that barrier rings are best. The paste contains alcohol which burns my skin, and it dissolves fast so makes the probability of a leak higher.

With the 2-piece, I also found it difficult to change the bag. It may have been the fault of the adapter, but in the end, I find the 1-piece more efficient.

surefit convatec 2 piece only way to go

I agree with njman. I have used them for almost 20 years. I can get 12 - 14 days on a flange, changing bags every 4 or 5 days. I am fortunate with no skin issues to deal with.

What's the number to Edgepark, Simiberry?

Here's their contact info: https://www.edgepark.com/contactus/

ok thanks.

I've had my colostomy since April 2012 and have had lots of problems with leaks until I tried Convetec 2-pc Natura. I can go 4-5 days on one flange and change the bag every 2 days. Coloplast hurt me with a few leaks; Hollister leaked within the day. I like the convenience of the 2-pc so I can change bags more often without changing everything.