How many years are pouches good?

[NEskier]

I'm looking at surgery which is likely to have me in the hospital for 5 days or more (not ostomy related). I usually wear a shorter length pouch which I find more comfortable exercising. I bought a box of longer ones in 2017 after having the flu and diarrhea. I've avoided that in the years since. So now looking at hospital time I was thinking the longer pouch might be a good idea. So do I go with what I have? Or ......

Thanks for any thoughts on this!

[Mara]

Why don't you look at more recent boxes of pouches as now they seem to have expiration dates - so you can get an idea of how long they last...
Best wishes with your surgery!

[darick]

If they have been stored in a stable envionment, they will likely be okay still. I ran out of my typical ones a few months back, and found some very old ones (well over 5 years ago, as ive used filter for ages and these had no filters). They did the job. If anything, some odor may permeate through them. If they are single piece, the 'glue' may not be as secure, but if its a two piece I'd blow them up hah.

[NEskier]

Why don't you look at more recent boxes of pouches as now they seem to have expiration dates - so you can get an idea of how long they last...
Best wishes with your surgery!

Good thought! I hate to buy more of something I hope not to keep using for long. And thanks for the good thoughts! I want them to finish doing tests and give me a date to plan for.

[To Dream a Dream]

I'll add my own good thoughts & prayers for your hospital stay. Your posts have been cheerful & inspiring over the years.
As for the pouches, I'd take some of each. Wafers, also. If you put them into zipper top Hefty bags with your name & date of surgery/admission written on the outside with a brief explanatory note enclosed, the staff would appreciate it. Consider taking any peripherals you will need, too. Wipes, tape, etc. (The last time I was In-House--admitted from the ER--, they didn't supply a toothbrush.) Show it all to the admitting nurse & be sure they make a note of it on your papers.
Again, I wish you all the best & have really appreciated your dedication to the UOAA Discussion Board. Please keep us informed of your progress.

[Mysticobra]

I'm using bags and wafers that are 3 plus years old.
Haven't had any problems with them.
I change once a week and they last. Unless I get a wafer leak which happens occasionally. Of course. Sometimes if I am really active I just change the bag. It just gets rough looking.
But as mentioned above store them properly and they should be ok.
I have a stock pole from 19 to 22. I hope they will be ok and have confidence they will be ok. Using one a week I have many years stockpiled.
Now ya got me wondering. Not worried. Lol.
Richard.

[NEskier]

I'll add my own good thoughts & prayers for your hospital stay. Your posts have been cheerful & inspiring over the years.
As for the pouches, I'd take some of each. Wafers, also. If you put them into zipper top Hefty bags with your name & date of surgery/admission written on the outside with a brief explanatory note enclosed, the staff would appreciate it. Consider taking any peripherals you will need, too. Wipes, tape, etc. (The last time I was In-House--admitted from the ER--, they didn't supply a toothbrush.) Show it all to the admitting nurse & be sure they make a note of it on your papers.
Again, I wish you all the best & have really appreciated your dedication to the UOAA Discussion Board. Please keep us informed of your progress.

What a great idea to date everything in individual baggies. If they get me in and out on the 'perfect' recovery time line I might not even need a change, but I know better than to count on that! I figure while I'm in ICU someone probably will have seen something like an ostomy ... right?!

Thank you for the good wishes! I found a checklist online for what to ask about ahead of time, what to take, what to plan for afterward. I like working from a list so I don't forget things! I had already started a folder with notes for any phone calls. I must say it's easier, in some ways, these days where I have access to all doctor's notes and test results. And I can read reviews of the medical types. Somewhat reassuring. Anyway, they are still in the running test stages to make sure what they have do deal with on the inside.

[steiconi]

I was just in the hospital, and they provided all ostomy products. Different brand, but worked fine.

[NEskier]

I was just in the hospital, and they provided all ostomy products. Different brand, but worked fine.

Thank you! It's a major hospital so I'm sure they know about such things .... I'm just over planning!