How to Empty and Change Your Colostomy Pouch?

A patient with colon cancer, rectum cancer, colon injury, colon blockage, colon infection, rectum disease, and bowel disease needs colostomy surgery. Doctors will remove the entire colon or a defected chunk of colon or rectum to let you get rid of the digestive malfunction and illness. Thus, they create an opening in the abdomen of the patient for solid waste discharge. After the removal of the infected colon or rectum, the anus will not work; therefore, a patient will excrete the stool through the hole or opening in the belly wall, called a stoma.

A colostomy patient will always release the solid waste in the form of feces. Moreover, the bowel movement is usually predictable, until the ostomate is not suffering from constipation or diarrhea. So, a colostomy person discharges the stool once a day or two times per day. As the anus will not responsible to eject the solid waste any more; therefore, the stoma will replace the duty of the anal opening. The hole or stoma in the abdomen will allow an exit gate to the feces. So, the stoma needs something that will collect the waste. Therefore, a complete pouching system will cover, protect, and collect the feces. These supplies include a bag, skin barrier, paste, adhesive, ostomy rings, adhesive remover, wipes, and other small accessories.

Usually, every ostomate assumes that changing the pouching system is a complicated job. But, this is not true, during the stay in the hospital, a patient learns how to empty and change the bag. Evidently, an ostomate will take time to learn the techniques, but once you know all the tactics, this will be the easiest job for colostomy patients. The key is knowing that you need drainage now not change of the bag. The colostomy stoma discharges the solid stool when the patient is healthy. An unhealthy digestive system and stomach can release loose motion also. In this case, an ostomate will eject liquid stool, then he/she needs frequent emptying and cleanliness.

How Often Do a Colostomy Person Empty the Ostomy Pouch?

The emptying of the colostomy pouch is predictable in the case of healthy stoma and stomach. As a person discharges the feces once a day. In the situation of a disturbed stomach, a patient can excrete the stool more than one time per day, but it depends on the digestive system and your diet. Thus, a healthy diet is necessary for every ostomy patient. However, the drainage of the colostomy pouching system depends on the following factors:

·         The location of the stoma opening.

·         The frequency of bowel movement.

·         The activity of the stomach.

·         A patient's physical activities and daily routine.

·         Diet of the colostomy patient.

Well, a colostomy patient's stomach is fine and working properly, then the person will feel the bowel movement. Thus, he/she can drain or empty the ostomy bag after the discharge. Moreover, the solid waste content will make the stoma pouch heavy; thus, a patient can feel the fullness of the pouching system. So, you can go to the restroom and empty the bag. In case of unpredictable movement or disturbed digestive system, a patient should go to the loo, two to three times daily to check and drain the content.

How to Change Your Colostomy Pouch?

A colostomy person should not change the entire pouching system daily. Well, it depends on the frequency of discharge, but a colostomy stoma discharges the solid stool; therefore, a colostomy pouch can last for a longer period. So, a person can change the entire pouching system once or two times a day. First, a patient has to remove the adhesive or paste. Use the best quality adhesive remover to remove the glue. Once the skin is clear from the sticky content, you need to pick the pouch and gradually remove it with the help of your hand. Then, clean and dry the stoma and peristomal skin with a medicated wipe or a soft cloth. Let it be free for a few seconds. Once the area is completely dry, apply the adhesive and place the skin barrier. Finally, you can paste the ostomy pouch on it.