Hello friends,
I am reading a lot about two bag systems on here. Is there a better way to go? Or just personal preference? I have a Hollister 8901 one-piece system. When my output is mushy, it is really a pain to empty and clean up. I am getting used to it, and my boyfriend is doing awesome at changing my bag. Just really curious more than anything. My bag is likely temporary. Reversal surgery is scheduled for March 15th, after a colonoscopy and dye study test.
Kim
I used a 2-piece and I feel like it is more secure, but that just might be a preference. I rarely have leaks (though it is still upsetting when I do). I also use a ring that helps prevent leaks. The 2-piece is easy to change for me. I have tried a 1-piece once before and I had some issues with it leaking and didn't try it more after that. I was taught to use the 2-piece by the ostomy nurse I had after my relocation surgery and I guess I just got used to it and didn't really have an interest in the 1-piece when she showed me that as an alternative. I don't know if there are advantages to the 1-piece over a 2-piece, but I have used a 2-piece for almost a year now and it is what I prefer.
Lee
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Hi Kim, welcome back. I'm just going to chime in on a two-piece system that I use. You can look up the part numbers on my profile if you like; everything is there.
Let me put it this way: you know when you grab an apple and your fingers are completely around the apple? Completely? Visualize that for a second. Now, obviously, you must have a little bulge like we all do. Of course, I think it's pretty natural. Okay, take that same apple and try to wrap a napkin around it. Yeah, a tissue napkin.
Which would have a better grip? I think the first one, and that's the Sensi Flip starfish design.
It makes perfect sense to me, at least. You got this five-finger design basically attached to my little bulge there of that little bump, as opposed to four corners with a square mounting plate. And the other thing, you know that cleaning you do? You don't have to do that with a two-piece. You can rotate the two-piece if it's drainable. You can rotate it from a downward position, which I would say would be 6:00, and rotate it to a 12 position to put some water in there to soften up whatever has accumulated. Return to 6, and drain. I do this usually before I go to sleep. It's a really big help. So with the two-piece, and particularly this type, I have no complaints, and I try to recommend it to as many people as possible because it's a good idea. There are many things you can do with a two-piece. It's the flexibility that you don't have with a one-piece. You don't have it, and you have to keep changing it. I believe one-piece does come with drainable pouches, so that's cool. Also, one-piece is slimmer, more trimline, so you might want to think about that too. So there are pros and cons.
For me, the two-piece is the best.
I prefer the flexibility of the two-piece. I like closed pouches rather than drainable. A closed pouch is not as practical with a one-piece. During times when I want to be more discreet or intimate, I can unsnap my normal pouch and replace it with a mini-pouch. I have a colostomy and only have to change my pouch 2-3 times a day. The two-piece protrudes further than the one-piece due to the plastic connection for the pouch. There are also adhesive-coupled two-piece appliances sold by ConvaTec, Coloplast, and Hollister. These lie flatter on the stomach, similar to the flatness provided by a one-piece. I personally prefer the two-piece with adhesive coupling because changing the bags and cleanup is a lot quicker.
