Now this video isn't intended to be a how-to video, I just want to try and explain what
these products are typically used for.
Now the ostomy pouch is also part of the entire appliance package that you would normally
put on when you have an ostomy.
Pouches come in many different shapes, sizes and styles.
Some of them are clear, like this one here, and some of them have a fabric covering on
them.
This one happens to be a two-piece drainable with a transparent cover.
What I mean by drainable, is that it actually has an outlet on the bottom that allows you
to empty the pouch throughout the day rather than having to change the pouch throughout
the day.
Now, for ileostomates, they'll generally go with a drainable pouch, because they do have
to empty frequently throughout the day, so it doesn't make sense to replace a pouch every
single time.
Now, colostomates may generally go with a closed-ended pouch, and the reason for that
is typically because they don't have to empty their pouch very often.
Most colostomates might need to empty their appliance maybe once or twice a day, and many
find it easier to simply remove the pouch, discard it, and put another one on, rather
than having to empty it once or twice a day.
Now, some pouches come with filters, and some of them don't.
It's really a matter of preference.
Most ileostomates and urostomates might find that their filters will clog up very quickly,
and that makes their filter ineffective.
In some cases, you might get stool or urine coming out through the filter and you'll notice
odor outside of the pouch.
If that's something that's been happening with you, you might want to try a different
pouch that uses a different style of filter, or abandon the idea of using a filter altogether.
As with wafers, pouches will have different coupling systems that join the wafer together
on a two-piece.
This one here is a mechanical coupling with a lock - this one is a Coloplast product - but
you might find other pouches that have adhesive couplings so that they can stick right to
the wafer.
Other still may snap into place.
Each brand will have their own style of coupling, and some of them might be appropriate for
your situation and you might want to experiment with a few to see which one you really like.
One of the great things about using a two-piece system is the fact that you can remove your
pouch whenever you need to without having to take off your wafer.
Many ostomates might find that to be convenient if, for example, they are using a filtered
pouch that clogs after a day or two for them, and they really don't want to change their
whole appliance that soon.
They may discard their old pouch, put a new one on, and that way they'll have a fresh
filter on there that might get them through a few more days until they actually have to
change their wafer.
Some pouches come in different sizes; this one here is a large pouch, but you can find
some that are medium size and then some that are smaller still.
It really depends on your own situation and whether or not you have a high-output stoma,
if you have an inactive stoma, if you irrigate your colostomy, and that sort of thing.
There are special bags that are intended for urostomates or ileostomates that have very
high-output stomas.
Those bags generally have a much larger capacity than this style, and sometimes they have a
spout or a drain on the bottom, rather than this kind of closure.
That will allow you to empty liquid or loose output more easily.
You can also find overnight pouches that are designed for people who have very high-output
ostomies, and who don't want to be bothered in the middle of the night with having to
empty their pouch.
Or they've come into situations where they've had their pouch leak or burst overnight, and
they just really want a better solution to that.
So these overnight pouches are generally very long, and they can hang off the side of the
bed.
They'll collect upwards of 2 liters of output before they have to be drained.
If you get one of those overnight pouches, and you use a two-piece system, you can swap
that system with a regular pouch during the day, and then go with the longer, overnight
pouch at night time.
Pouches are considered completely waterproof, so you shouldn't have any concern whether
you're going into a swimming pool or sauna, or a shower with your pouch on.
There should be no problems with getting that pouch wet, however, I will caution - some
pouches that use filters will usually come with these tiny stickers that you'll notice
in your box.
If you were wondering what those stickers are, you basically put those over your filter
if you're going to have a shower or if you're swimming and you don't want any water to clog
up the filter.
There are some brands that don't come with stickers, because their filters are designed
in a way that repels water.
Hollister, for example, has their New Image product, and their filters don't come with
stickers and they say that you can go for a swim or shower without having to worry about
that clogging from water coming from outside.
The pouches are 100% waterproof, and they should also be 100% odor proof.
If you find that your pouch has any kind of odor coming from it, one of the first things
that you might want to do is check to make sure you don't have any leaks.
That's a common source of odor, and if you are experiencing leaks, then you might want
to change your technique or perhaps use a product to help manage that better so you
aren't faced with those issues when you're out in public.
Thanks for watching guys!
If you like the video and you want to see more like it, please subscribe to the channel,
give it a like and share it if you think that someone else might be able to benefit.
Until next time, I'll catch you later.
Have a great day!