Where to Buy Extra Supplies at the Lowest Price?

I would appreciate suggestions on where to purchase extra supplies at the lowest price.

As you know, insurance only allows so many per month, and I often get close to running out. Amazon is pretty expensive!

I've used Medical Monks quite a bit. They're very good when insurance isn't cooperating. www.medicalmonks.com

They tend to have lower prices.

I use eBay for my extra supplies.

Lol, really! I've never even thought about that! I know Amazon has stuff too, but it's usually higher in price, I think. I'd have to look again; it's been a while.

Definitely checking eBay now. :)

The cheapest I have found is

https://bestbuymedicalsupplies.com/

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Ditto Kas... eBay rocks! You can find some real bargains, but you have to check the expiration dates if that sort of thing is important to you. I've used Amazon when I needed something the very next day, but you pay full price. Check Marketplace too, just depends who's selling what in your neck of the woods.

What I do to "stockpile" supplies is tell my prescribing doc that I need enough supplies to change my barrier every other day due to irritation. I typically change on day 4, so I get double the supplies I need for that 3-month time period. By the end of the year, I've got a 1-year surplus of supplies on hand in case of any "supply chain disruptions" or other BS.

;O)

Also, check with your local support group. They may have a donation closet and/or offer free supplies at meetings. It is a great opportunity to try different products and stock up. Check out local non-profits that take in medical supply donations; they may have ostomy supplies on hand. Craigslist and OfferUp sometimes have supplies listed.

Don't forget free samples from ostomy supply manufacturers.

I also use shopostomysupplies.com or Amazon. Not the cheapest, but I get it quickly.

Over the months I've had a colostomy, I discovered how long I can go between wafer and bag changes. I use a 2-piece Hollister system.

I've tested going 10 days with the same wafer... no problem, (just to see what would happen). Peristomal skin looked good, no irritation. Hair growth didn't affect the seal. I did change bags several times. My normal routine is a wafer change every Sunday.

Also, when I change to a new bag, I rinse out the soiled bag. They can be used over again a few times.

Showering with the bag on works. After drying off, I'll unsnap the bag and use a blow dryer on it, then make sure the connection flanges are clean, and snap it back on.

For me too, Medical Monks is the cheapest and most reliable I have found. And I also buy my wound care supplies there. For the past 7 months, insurance wouldn't cover sterile saline, gauze, tape, or abdominal pads.

Best Buy Medical for pouches and rings if I go over the amount insurance allows.

Ostogroup in Florida may let you order things insurance does not cover but not bags if you have insurance. You just have to call and ask.

I get my things all over the place. I like expressmed.com for my M9. Seems cheaper and original product inside the bottle. They have a point system and free shipping if you spend enough at once. Very fast delivery as they have warehouses all over the US.

Amazon or expressmed.com for my adhesive remover wipes.

Also, I forgot you can ask your doctor to say you need 30 bags per month instead of 20.

An app, Poshmark, has some good supplies sometimes.

About 6 weeks post-op, and I have had serious, continuous problems with leaks and skin irritation (severe) that have caused me to have to change my appliance almost every day, no matter what type and accessories I've tried, and in spite of coaching and phone consults with hospital stoma nurses. My stoma is demonic. There have been days when I've had to change it 2 or 3 times, the highest being 6 times in 24 hours (which only makes the skin worse, which causes more leaks, the cruel freaking cycle of doom). Because of this, I'm super paranoid about running out of supplies. My surgical leave is over, and I have to return to work just 4 days from now. I'm scared because I only have enough appliances for 3 or 4 more changes. The last thing I need after a 6-week absence is to have to request more time off or to be afraid to get up to walk to the copier for fear of a blowout. I have already requested free samples, since the insurance gods have deemed I must get by with less than I actually require, but those samples are taking forever to get here. I also placed an order through Best Buy Medical Supplies, due to a recommendation on this thread, but they are taking eons to even ship it. Since I'm not yet working with an ostomy nurse, I'm kind of on my own here, but I'm doing the best I can. I suggest you check eBay or even Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace in your area. Some folks sell things they no longer need, most at a deep discount from what you would pay on Amazon or from other suppliers. I've even seen Reddit posts of people giving away supplies if you pay shipping. Fortunately, I have an HSA and should be able to get some sort of return for some of these things. By far, this ileostomy has been the most painful, annoying, anxiety-inducing, life-paralyzing thing I have ever dealt with. I have huge admiration for those who have permanents or have bravely dealt with it for years, but I am praying the doc can reverse it as he intends to. In the meantime, we all have to do the best we can, and eBay can help.

Thank you!

Oh my gosh, I thought I was having a rough time with leaks! I hope you get help figuring out what will work. It is a very difficult road we are traveling.