Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of BagsHow to Change the BagWhen to ChangeDietary Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Bags
How to Change the Bag
When to Change
Dietary Tips
Although it can take time to adjust to having an ostomy bag, learning how to use it properly—and care for the surgical opening (called thestoma)—can allow you to maintain a normal, active life. This not only includes learning how and when to change an ostomy bag but also understanding how diet and lifestyle can affect the consistency and frequency of elimination of stool.
This article offers you everything you need to manage an ostomy bag, including the different bags that are available and how to deal with problems like leakage, odor, and mess.
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Types of Ostomy Bags
Ostomy surgery is used to redirect the poop when a part of the intestine needs to be removed due to diseases likecolorectal cancer,bowel obstruction, severediverticulitis, or severeinflammatory bowel disease(includingCrohn’s diseaseorulcerative colitis).
There are two different types of ostomy:
To create the opening (stoma), the end of the intestine leading from the stomach is pulled through the abdominal wall and stitched to the skin of the abdomen.
An ostomy bag (also known as a pouch) is then worn over the stoma to collect the waste, after which the bag is either thrown away or emptied into the toilet throughout the day.
There are several different ostomy bags that vary in their application and uses:
One-Piece Ostomy Bags
One-piece ostomy bags are all-in-one units that consist of a bag, a protective skin barrier that prevents poop from getting on the skin, and a peel-off adhesive backing. When the bag needs changing, the entire system is removed and replaced.
One-piece ostomy bags have a slimmer profile than two-piece systems, making them more practical for people with active lifestyles.
Two-Piece Ostomy Bags
Two-piece ostomy systems consist of a bag with a circular rimmed opening (called a flange) and a separate skin barrier with a complementary flange.
Closed Bags
Closed bags, also known as closed-end pouches, are simply those that are sealed at the end and cannot be cleaned. Once the pouch is full, it is disposed of and replaced.
There are closed bags for both one- and two-piece ostomy systems. Closed bags are ideal for people with solid rather than loose stools.
Drainable Bags
Drainable bags are reusable bags that have an opening at the end (either a sealable flap or a drain and plug) that allows you to empty the contents into a toilet. The bags are more often used in people with an ileostomy who tend to have loose or watery stool.
As with closed bags, drainable bags are available for both one- and two-piece systems.
Mini-Pouches
Mini-pouch are smaller bags measuring around 7 to 8 inches in diameter that hold less poop than a regular ostomy bag. Although these bags need to be changed more often, some people prefer them because they are discreet.
Mini-pouch are not only available as one- and two-piece systems but are also offered with closed or drainable bags.
Other Accessories
Other appliances that can help manage your ostomy bag include:
How to Change a Full Ileostomy or Colostomy Bag
After ileostomy or colostomy surgery, your care team will teach you how to apply and change your ostomy bag. They will also discuss which system is best suited to your lifestyle and personal preferences.
Other factors will weigh in on the decision, such as how much of your intestine was removed or whether you had an ileostomy or a colostomy. This is because the colon is responsible for removing water from stool, and the more of it that is removed, the more watery your stools will be.
The same applies to an ileostomy which almost invariably causes looser stools due to its location high up in the intestine.
Once you have chosen the suitable system, the changing of the bag is a relatively straightforward process. To change an ostomy bag:
If you have a two-piece system and don’t need to remove the adhesive flange on your belly, gently hold the skin around the stoma with one hand and remove the bag with the other with a slight twist.
If you have a drainable bag, your care team will show you have to clean and reuse it. These products vary from one manufacturer to the next—with some systems using clamps to seal the bag and others using a valve and plug similar to a beach ball—so speak with your care team or call the manufacturer if you are unsure how to use it.
What Anal Discharge After Ostomy Means
When to Change an Ostomy Bag
Generally, you can expect to change a colostomy bagone to three times dailyand expect to change an ileostomy bag as much asfive to six times daily.
Overfilling also increases the risk of leakage.This not only creates an unpleasant mess and odor but also causes skin irritation due to thedigestive enzymesin feces.
Over time, exposure to feces can compromise thebarrier function of the skin, allowing bacteria to access underlying tissues andestablish an infection. For this reason, any poop on the skin should be removed immediately and washed with soap and water.
Factors that Affect Stool Output
On average, adults produce around 130 grams (roughly 1 cup) of poop a day, although the range can be as low as 50 grams (1/3 cup) or as high as 800 grams (6 cups). Similarly, the frequency of poops can vary, with some people going three times a day and others waiting days between poops.
When you have an ostomy, the volume of poop won’t necessarily change but the consistency and frequency may. Oftentimes, your stool will be less solid and even mushy due to the loss of fluid absorption in the colon.
If you had an ileostomy, not only will you have looser stools but you may even becomemalnourishedbecause the ileum is where many of the nutrients from food are absorbed.
Because there is less intestine to traverse, the frequency of poop will also increase, sometimes to as much as 15 times per day following the surgery (although this tends to decrease over time).
To help minimize odors, some experts recommend foods like buttermilk, cranberry juice, parsley, and yogurt.
What to Eat and Avoid After a Colostomy
Summary
An ostomy bag is used to collect stool from an opening in your abdomen after a colostomy or ileostomy. There are different types of bags (pouches) that can be used, including one- and two-piece pouches, closed and drainable pouches, and even mini-pouches.
Colostomy bags may need to be changed one to three times daily, while ileostomy bags may require changing up to six times daily. The bag should be changed when it is one-third full. Any leakage should be cleaned immediately to avoid skin irritation.
Eating smaller meals, getting ample hydration, and avoiding foods that promote diarrhea or constipation can help keep you keep you regular if you have an ostomy.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Cancer Society.Colostomy and ileostomy.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Moslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115:182-7. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182United Ostomy Associations of America.Types of pouches.Mithany RH, Shahid MH, Shahid R, Hannan A, Gill MU, Aslam S.Ileostomy 101: understanding the basics for optimal patient care.Cureus.2023 Oct;15(10):e46822. doi:10.7759/cureus.46822Murken DR, Bleier JIS.Ostomy-related complications.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32:176-182. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1676995MedlinePlus.Changing your ostomy pouch.University of Chicago Medicine.How to use a pouching system after ostomy surgery.International Continence Society. Skin damage from incontinence.Colostomy UK.Getting a good night’s sleep.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmeil E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol.2015 Sep 2;45(17):1827–1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.After ostomy surgery of the bowel.Colorectal Cancer Alliance.Nutrition with an ostomy.University of California San Francisco.Ostomy education portal: preventing dehydration.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Cancer Society.Colostomy and ileostomy.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Moslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115:182-7. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182United Ostomy Associations of America.Types of pouches.Mithany RH, Shahid MH, Shahid R, Hannan A, Gill MU, Aslam S.Ileostomy 101: understanding the basics for optimal patient care.Cureus.2023 Oct;15(10):e46822. doi:10.7759/cureus.46822Murken DR, Bleier JIS.Ostomy-related complications.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32:176-182. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1676995MedlinePlus.Changing your ostomy pouch.University of Chicago Medicine.How to use a pouching system after ostomy surgery.International Continence Society. Skin damage from incontinence.Colostomy UK.Getting a good night’s sleep.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmeil E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol.2015 Sep 2;45(17):1827–1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.After ostomy surgery of the bowel.Colorectal Cancer Alliance.Nutrition with an ostomy.University of California San Francisco.Ostomy education portal: preventing dehydration.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canadian Cancer Society.Colostomy and ileostomy.Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Moslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115:182-7. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182United Ostomy Associations of America.Types of pouches.Mithany RH, Shahid MH, Shahid R, Hannan A, Gill MU, Aslam S.Ileostomy 101: understanding the basics for optimal patient care.Cureus.2023 Oct;15(10):e46822. doi:10.7759/cureus.46822Murken DR, Bleier JIS.Ostomy-related complications.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32:176-182. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1676995MedlinePlus.Changing your ostomy pouch.University of Chicago Medicine.How to use a pouching system after ostomy surgery.International Continence Society. Skin damage from incontinence.Colostomy UK.Getting a good night’s sleep.Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmeil E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol.2015 Sep 2;45(17):1827–1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.After ostomy surgery of the bowel.Colorectal Cancer Alliance.Nutrition with an ostomy.University of California San Francisco.Ostomy education portal: preventing dehydration.
Canadian Cancer Society.Colostomy and ileostomy.
Ambe PC, Kurz NR, Nitschke C, Odeh SF, Moslein G, Zirngibl H.Intestinal ostomy: classification, indications, ostomy care and complication management.Dtsch Arztebl Int.2018;115:182-7. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2018.0182
United Ostomy Associations of America.Types of pouches.
Mithany RH, Shahid MH, Shahid R, Hannan A, Gill MU, Aslam S.Ileostomy 101: understanding the basics for optimal patient care.Cureus.2023 Oct;15(10):e46822. doi:10.7759/cureus.46822
Murken DR, Bleier JIS.Ostomy-related complications.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2019;32:176-182. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1676995
MedlinePlus.Changing your ostomy pouch.
University of Chicago Medicine.How to use a pouching system after ostomy surgery.
International Continence Society. Skin damage from incontinence.
Colostomy UK.Getting a good night’s sleep.
Rose C, Parker A, Jefferson B, Cartmeil E.The characterization of feces and urine: a review of the literature to inform advanced treatment technology.Crit Rev Environ Sci Technol.2015 Sep 2;45(17):1827–1879. doi:10.1080/10643389.2014.1000761
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.After ostomy surgery of the bowel.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance.Nutrition with an ostomy.
University of California San Francisco.Ostomy education portal: preventing dehydration.
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