Any clues that your stoma will be quiet for a bag change?

[Shamrock4806]

I've noticed my best success with getting a good bag on is when the stoma is not active.

I'm asking for clues that you know indicate a good time to change the bag.

Obviously diet has a lot to do with it, not eating certain things that will cause diarrhea.

Do you eat your food in a particular order, so that when it appears in the bag you know it's about finished?

I ate some green beans last during lunch and noticed it coming out for awhile in the bag which indicated perhaps it was going to take a rest. I ate some warmed cinnamon apples and then after a bit removed old bag and took a shower, which the last of the green beans exited and I had no trouble from the stoma while putting on a fresh bag.

Since apples are on the list that thickens output, im thinking it caused the stoma to be quiet for awhile.

So is there any clues you use or methodology that gives you the time to properly prepare and attach a new bag with no output from the stoma?

Thanks

[Mara]

Ordinarily I change on Sunday mornings - I don't eat or drink other than brushing my teeth...very rarely is my stoma active.....
And I haven't eaten since the previous evening...
Hope that helps....

[Shamrock4806]

Thanks, I have a high output otosmy so it's been a real pain getting a bag on.

I think I'll incorporate more skinless apples into my diet.

[Shamrock4806]

Ah yes, if I'm ready for a bag change I'll eat an apple and wait a bit until the output thickens, then do the whole removal, shower and replacement routine.

What happens is if any output does come out, it's small, thick and less frequent. Thus it's easier to clean and recover back to the application process.

Full on blowouts are a rare occurrence for me now thankfully due to my more through system. Just small leaks which I'm trying to figure out what causes them.

Seems the crusting procedure on damaged skin is not working so the paste is separating and acid is making the damaged areas larger. I do wipe away excessive powder so there is only a very light coating.

I tightened my belt today so perhaps it was too loose.

[Shamrock4806]

Three adjustments, definitely a skinless apple and wait for thick output before a bag change. However the apple only thickens output, so not having any food or drink (water is okay) like after a night of fasting, then eating the apple, soaks up any bile then ready for a bag change.

Definitely do not remove belt, even if wet, unless it's a bag change. Blow dry in place. Make sure it's tight.

Trim protective sheet off scar tissue along its edge, a air gap is created by the protective sheet, the adhesive of the pouch and the extra strips will then not stick to the scar tissue but around it on clear skin instead. Reduces the itching problem substantially.

I'm also doing a much more thorough blow drying this time around and increased the paste ring to 1/2" instead of 1/4". Bag has been on for 8 days now..

OMG I almost feel like a normal human being again..

[Shamrock4806]

This is the 19th evening and it was on the 15th morning since my last bag change, I think I've won.

The bag is on firm, there is no pain and I even added a little soap and washed the bag so it appears and smells nice.

I recall this time I really dried the heck out of the gap going around the stoma, I think I wasn't drying it out as thoroughly as I should have. I also widened the Brava paste more than 1/4" to like 1/2" and the Adapt paste on top of the protective sheet to 1/2" as well.

Oh happy days!

[Shamrock4806]

Okay,

Apparently my body was still healing from the surgery a few months later still and I ate a lot, drank a lot of water.

Now I've cut my portions down and reduced water intake but still urinating properly, this and watching what foods I eat that don't cause runaway diarrhea has changed the game in my favor.

I can now see periods of time where stoma activity is very low or even stopped long enough to do a thorough appliance change.

Learning curves.

[sandys]

I have no output around ten in the morning, after eating breakfast at 8 a.m.
and not eating after 8p.m. the previous evening

[Diane C]

Ditto to what others have posted. I have an ileostomy. I usually don't eat anything in the morning before I change. I also take 2 Imodium tablets. I was taking prescription Diphenoxylate -- stronger than Imodium -- and it does "dry up your system." Unfortunately, it also makes me quite sleepy and I take other meds which are contraindicated with the use of this. If I'm going to a special event, I will take 1-2 tablets. It helps me for about 4 hours. I wish Imodium tablets or generic tablets were more effective.

[Shamrock4806]

I've found another issue, drinking too much water and eating too large of a meal.

I think my body has largely healed from the surgery and now food consumption isn't as high as it was before. Thus I'm eating smaller portions more often.

A egg McMuffin in the morning, a hot dog or two for lunch and something small like a bowl for an early dinner.

Less food equates to needing less water equates to more lull periods between bag changes which makes putting a new bag on nearly effortless.

Learning that the body will begin flushing out when it has too much has benefited immensely, so now I tailor my diet to be nutritious and in smaller quantities thus not needing to drink so much water.

Since I'm not experiencing any leaks anymore, I am timing my bag changes better with my diet and lull times better.