How to Change Coloplast Bags
According to Coloplast, almost 77,000 people have ostomy operations each year in the U.S. A colostomy or ileostomy does not have to interfere with your lifestyle if you care for it properly. Changing your ostomy bag is an important part of caring for your ostomy and avoiding irritation, infection, or other problems.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth or soft paper towels
- Warm water
- New pouch and adhesive
- Plastic bag
- Pouch deodorant and paste
Instructions
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1
Empty the pouch.
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2
Remove the adhesive patch from your skin, moving slowly and gently from the top to the bottom, and pushing down on the skin as you pull off the adhesive.
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3
Dispose of the ostomy bag using the disposable bag provided by the pouch manufacturer, or another sealable plastic bag.
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4
Rinse the skin around the stoma using soft paper towels or washcloth. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
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5
Pat skin dry.
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6
Examine the skin and the stoma. The skin around the stoma should look like the rest of your skin, and the stoma should look moist and red.
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7
Place the measuring guide your ostomy nurse gave you over the stoma. Trace the size and shape of the stoma onto the tracing guide on the new adhesive, and cut it out so that the hole is the same size as the stoma.
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8
Remove the paper covering from the adhesive.
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9
Position the new adhesive around the stoma and press it against the skin, using your hand to warm the adhesive so it will stick well.
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10
Make sure the clamp or Velcro closure on the new pouch is fastened securely.
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11
If you are using a two-piece system, attach the pouch to the adhesive.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Some bleeding of the stoma is normal. Many people prefer to change the bag in the morning when the stoma is not active. If the stoma becomes active while you are changing the bag, gently wipe it off with a tissue. If you prefer to use soap to clean the skin around your stoma, use a gentle soap without glycerin, oils or perfumes. Measure your stoma once a week for the first six to eight weeks after surgery, and once a month after that.
If you think that the stoma or the skin around it looks strange, contact your ostomy nurse. Never rip off the adhesive; this could irritate your skin. Never flush an ostomy system down the toilet.
