Best Techniques for Emptying an Ostomy Pouch - Share Yours!

As an ileo, I find cuffing the end of the tail of the pouch makes for a cleaner, easier emptying process.

What is your emptying methodology? Do you pinch the tail open and let it drain out, or do you cuff the tail before emptying?

I am a tough woman too!
Eddie

No bonus points are awarded for making a huge production out of it, so I get in and out of there as quickly and easily as I can! I tear off two pieces of toilet tissue - 3 squares each and set aside within easy reach before I remove the clip. Then I remove the clip, let it empty, quickly wipe the outside of the tail, then raise it up high and wipe the inside about 3 inches in, snap the clip back on, and I'm out of there!
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Thanks for the reply, Eddie.

Just Jim, I agree! My goal is to get the job done as quickly and as efficiently as possible! Thanks for describing your method. Cuffing the tail before emptying makes it much easier and faster for me to empty, clean it up, and get out of there!

Ok, but I bet there are times when, if the bag is completely full, it's not possible to hold back the flow to cuff it once you remove the clip or loosen the Velcro (if you use that type of enclosure). Now and then, I wake at night or in the morning, my bag is so full it's even hard to remove the clip without it getting dirty because of the pressure from air or the weight of the fecal matter.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

OK, I'm confused. What is cuffing or not cuffing? I wear a 2-piece Hollister New Image ostomy set (wafer and pouch) that has a lock 'n roll design and I never need to clip anything off...I just wipe the tail off, and wrap it back up until the "velcro-type" closure clicks. Then I am assured of a perfect seal...I gave up using the clip versions years ago because I found it too hard to try and juggle the contents from the bag while having to hold onto the clip so that it didn't fall in the toilet or onto the floor. Do I have this right about needing to put a clip on the tail? If I'm right, would you consider looking at other ostomy products to cut some of the time in the bathroom out? If I'm wrong, let me know. Meanwhile, even with the Hollister stuff, I still have to drain the bag manually...wouldn't it be nice if there was a little portable vacuum to pull all of that junk out of the bag for you? Now, who wants to help me design a product and get a patent on it???

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I hold my clip in my teeth - I'm the other way around. I used the Holister Lock-n-Roll pouches for a few years, but at least three times I had a mess go down my leg when the material from my flannel lounge pants stuck to the Velcro, causing it to rip open when I stood up. I found myself constantly reaching down and crimping it to make sure it was securely fastened. So, after my latest accident about six months ago, I went back to the clip-enclosed pouches, with which I've never had an accident.

Hi all, sorry Greeneyed Lady, your invention sounds like too much of a hassle. I'm like JustJim; I unclip my pouch, drain it, roll some tissue up like a stick, and clean the inside of the tail, and I'm done. In and out in about 2 minutes. In the 26 years of having an ostomy, I've only had one clip fail, and that was from using it too long. Ron in Mich.

I have an ileo & I cuff as well - I like that tail nice & clean, so this is my method. I don't like the Velcro roll - it just never seems to get all the way clean to me.

My method is the following: I stand up in front of the toilet, roll down my Hollister flaps, squeeze to open, secure the opening with a double piece of toilet paper, sit down on the toilet, and let it run out. Then I stand up again and pour water into the bag, once again securing the opening with a piece of toilet paper, and the bag will be nice and clean. I have not had a failure for many months. When traveling, I take a little medicine bottle with me. When visiting, I usually clean the bag as described by some: using toilet paper rolled up and cleaning the bag as far in as possible. My method at home serves me well also when traveling, and it has made me more confident and experience very few problems. Regards to you all. Opa Ray

I often wake up with an oversized pouch, full of air and feces. I burp my bag, then go to empty it. No problems.

Also, I use the cuff method and have had no problems. I've been an illeo since 1998.

Thanks for "listening".

Spiritgirl65

Hello! I use the Convatek 2-piece system and use the clips. I find it to be more secure, and I'm confident that I will not have any accidents. I usually drain by flushing it with water first. I attached a small hose-like system into the plumbing of my toilet, then drain it, clean my bag until it's clear, and dry the tail with toilet paper. At the end of the day, I even wash my bag with Cetaphil cleansing soap to make it clean. I use a clear bag so I can really see whether my bag is clean and so that I could also clean my stoma while the bag is attached. I haven't experienced any leakage since I see my poo (this still grosses me out occasionally) and drain even with small amounts of poo. I change my bag every 7 days and have been a colostomate for 19 months. I find that placing water in the bag before draining gives me a cleaner bag. When I go out, I have a small squirt water bottle and use it to clean it in public toilets and it gives me no problem. I also use a classic wrap from OstomySecrets for proper support of my ostomy. Take care and God bless
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The longer I go with my bag, the fewer "accidents" I have, but don't they just make you want to
cry when they happen? Poop draining down your leg... OMG. Thank God none have happened in a public place like a restaurant or supermarket. But I had to drive 30 miles from my workplace covered in feces to my home to strip off my pants and jump in the shower. Ugh.

I do it the same as Jim.

I kneel in front of the loo and have tissue ready. I empty, wipe clean, and check for splashing around the bowl, then wipe clean again. I flush and wait to check that it's all flushed away. Sometimes I go back in to check I've flushed as I have forgotten before
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. And when I change the whole appliance, I change over the sink and make sure I'm all prepared with plenty of wipes. Please tell me what is cuffing
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"Cuffing" is when you roll over the end of the bag before you empty it, just like you do with the sleeve of a sweater or long-sleeve shirt if it is too long. The reason I think those who do it is that it keeps the very bottom edge dry and prevents the waste from wrapping around and getting on the outside of the end of the pouch.

Hi, I just stand over the toilet and open the neck of my bag, empty it, wipe inside as deep as I can, roll it up, and fasten the Velcro, and I'm done in a minute (usually, lol). I use Hollister 2-piece system. I hate clips; they're a pain in the butt.
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