ostomy bag

Did you know…
About 100,000 ostomy surgeries are performed each year in the United States

Modern ostomy bags are odor-free, so ordinary people do not notice the ostomy bag in these patients.

People with an ostomy can carry on their daily activities, including swimming, working, exercising and socializing with family and friends.

One of the surgeries used today to save lives is the ostomy. In this surgery, an opening is made in the skin through which urine or stool leaves the body. The opening is called a stoma, which is a path from an organ (such as the large intestine, small intestine or bladder) to the outside of the abdomen.

Stoma Wound Care
Types of Ostomy Surgery
Ostomy surgery is performed in three different ways.

Colostomy

In the first method, known as colostomy, part of the colon (large intestine) or rectum is removed and the remaining colon is brought to the abdominal wall.

Ileostomy

Ileostomy is another type of ostomy surgery in which an opening is made in the ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine). An ileostomy can be temporary or permanent and may involve removing all or part of the colon.

Urostomy

In the third method, known as urostomy, urine is diverted from a diseased or damaged bladder. In this surgery, part of the end of the small intestine (ileum) or the beginning of the large intestine (cecum) is removed and used as a channel for urine to pass from the kidneys out of the body. The procedure may also involve removing the patient’s bladder.

Types of Ostomy Bags
There are several types of ostomy bags, explained below:

1
‌ One-Piece Ostomy Bags

One-Piece Ostomy Bags
As the name suggests, one-piece ostomy bags are a single unit made of an ostomy bag attached to a skin barrier, or wafer. Because of this, the entire system must be replaced whenever the bag needs changing. Using ostomy accessories such as skin barrier pastes and adhesive removers is recommended to reduce skin irritation and discomfort when changing the bag. One-piece ostomy bags have a more discreet profile than the two-piece model, so this model suits people with an active lifestyle (such as people who exercise).

What is a one-piece ostomy bag?
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Two-Piece Ostomy Bags

Two-Piece Ostomy Bags
Two-piece ostomy bags consist of two separate components: a skin barrier and an ostomy bag. The bag can be changed without removing the wafer. The skin barrier can stay in place for 3 to 5 days. This type of bag suits people who want to switch bags easily depending on their activity or the time of day, such as during sleep or sexual activity.

What is a two-piece ostomy bag?
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Drainable and Closed-End Pouches

Drainable and Closed-End Pouches
Both types come in one-piece and two-piece formats. Drainable ostomy bags let users empty the contents of their bag and use it again. Drainable bags are suitable for people who have had an ileostomy. Their output is usually liquid or semi-solid, which makes emptying very easy.

Closed-end bags are not reusable and are ideal for solid output. Because this type of bag cannot be washed or cleaned, it must be thrown away and replaced when full. There is a special type of closed-end bag with a liner that makes quick, easy disposal possible. This type of bag suits people with an active lifestyle or who spend a lot of time in public places.

What is a one-piece drainable ostomy bag with adhesive?
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Pre-Cut and Cut-to-Fit Ostomy Bags

Pre-Cut and Cut-to-Fit Ostomy Bags
Stomas come in different shapes and sizes, and the stoma is the main criterion for choosing an ostomy bag. Some people may have a uniformly round stoma, for whom pre-cut ostomy bags are an ideal choice.

Cut-to-fit ostomy bags are designed to meet individual needs. In some cases, the stoma may still be changing size or shape after the ostomy, or may not be uniformly round. In these cases, cut-to-fit ostomy bags become a suitable option. These bags usually have a small starter hole in the center that can be used to cut the right shape with scissors.

Protea Vital Brand Ostomy Bags
Theranova, based in Romania, is a well-known manufacturer of ostomy bags and sells its products under the Protea Vital brand. The company’s products are made with high precision and quality and have earned the CE mark. Protea Vital ostomy bags allow colostomy patients to live a normal life with a lifestyle similar to before surgery. They also increase their privacy. These bags come in a variety of types, including one-piece and two-piece.

Life Expectancy of Ostomy Patients
The life expectancy of ostomy patients is the same as for other people, and their lives only change somewhat after surgery. After recovering, they can return to normal life. Advances in medicine in recent years have greatly reduced ostomy-related problems, and people with an ostomy rarely have difficulties.

Problems of Ostomy Patients
The most important complications of an ostomy after surgery include:

The patient loses confidence in having normal sexual relations.
Fear and worry about damaging the ostomy bag make the patient avoid exercise.
People with an ostomy mostly experience psychological problems after surgery.
Not knowing how to bathe (with or without the bag) keeps the patient from bathing when they should.
Fear of noise, odor and leaks from the ostomy bag keeps people with an ostomy from socializing.
People with an ostomy suffer from insomnia at night, which leaves them irritable during the day.
Because they don’t know how people with an ostomy should eat, they don’t get proper nutrition and become weak, lethargic and thin.
Financial problems (the cost of bags and accessories) and social, cultural and family problems are among the difficulties people face after surgery.
Important Things Ostomy Patients Should Know!

There are some things ostomy patients should be fully aware of, because they will help them along the way to take all the necessary steps easily and with greater peace of mind. The sections below can greatly help you understand these important points.

You can also read answers to common questions in the ostomy bag FAQ section.

Common ostomy bag questions
Important Tips When Changing an Ostomy Bag
When changing an ostomy bag, several points need attention, the most important being:

If there is hair on the abdomen, you can shave it to avoid extra pain when removing the adhesive.
After fitting the new ostomy bag, hold your hand over it for a few seconds to help it seal.
When changing, it is best to stand on an old cloth or towel to keep waste from soiling the house.
How Do I Change an Ostomy Bag?
Changing an ostomy bag involves removing the old bag, inspecting the skin, measuring the stoma and attaching the new bag. The steps for each are given below:

The need for hygiene
One of the very first steps in changing an ostomy bag is hygiene, which helps prevent infection.

Wash your hands with soap and water, making sure to clean between your fingers and under your nails thoroughly. Dry your hands with a clean towel or paper towel.
If the ostomy bag is a two-piece type, gently press the skin around your stoma with one hand and remove the seal with the other. (If the seal is hard to remove, you can use special pads.) This prevents the bag opening from touching the skin and reduces the risk of infection.
Removing the old bag
Keep the clip that comes with the bag. Put the old ostomy bag in a bag and throw it in the trash. Then wash the skin around your stoma with warm water and soap and clean it with a clean tissue or paper towel. Then dry the skin with a clean towel.

Inspecting the skin
Check your skin. A little bleeding is normal. The skin should be pink or red. If it is purple, black or blue, call your doctor.
Wipe around the stoma with a special skin wipe. If your skin is a little moist, sprinkle some stoma powder only on the moist or broken area.
Gently dab the special wet wipe over the powder and your skin again.
Let the area air-dry for 1 to 2 minutes.
Measuring the stoma
Use your measuring card to find the circle size that matches your stoma. Do not touch the card to your skin.
If the ostomy bag is a two-piece type, trace the circle size on the back of the ring seal and cut it out. Make sure the cut edges are smooth.
Attaching the new bag
If the ostomy bag is a two-piece type, attach the bag to the ring seal.
Peel the paper off the ring seal.
Apply stoma paste around the opening of the seal, or place a special stoma ring around the opening.
Place the seal evenly around the stoma. Hold it in place for a few minutes. Try holding a warm cloth over the seal to help it stick to your skin.
If you need them, put cotton balls or special gel packs in your bag to prevent leaks.
Attach the bag clip or use tape to close the bag.
Wash your hands again with warm soap and water.
How to Empty an Ostomy Bag
To empty an ostomy bag, the following steps are necessary:

Sit on or next to the toilet, or stand in front of it. Put a layer of toilet paper in the toilet bowl to prevent splashing.
Move your clothes away from the bag.
Hold the bottom of the bag up. Open the Velcro closure or remove the clip and set it aside.
Gently open the tail, or outlet, over the toilet.
Lean over the toilet to prevent splashing.
Slide your fingers down the bag to push all the stool out.
How to Clean an Ostomy Bag
To clean the bag, you can do the following:

Wipe the inside and outside of the tail with toilet paper. This helps prevent any odor.
Check both sides of the bag for tears or holes. If you find any, put on a new bag.
If the bag closes with a clip, wash the clip if there is stool on it.
When to See a Doctor
It is recommended to contact a specialist doctor if:

Your stoma is swollen and more than half an inch (1 cm) larger than normal.

The stoma is pulled in below the level of the skin.

There is more bleeding from the stoma than normal.

The stoma is an abnormal color, such as purple, black or white.

The stoma leaks often.

The stoma does not seem to be the same size as before.

You have a skin rash or the skin around the stoma is raw.

You have foul-smelling discharge from the stoma.

You have any kind of sore on the skin around the stoma.

You have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, passing less urine and feeling lightheaded or weak.

You have diarrhea that won’t go away.

Ostomy Bag Price
The ostomy bag, an important medical device, is available on the market from many brands. A very important point before buying this product is its quality. Bonyan Tajar is one of the main suppliers of ostomy bags and offers its products to users with unique quality. Besides outstanding quality, the company’s products are affordable. Buyers who wish to purchase an ostomy bag can contact our experts for more information and to learn its price.