Questions about managing a Stoma Pouch

The VA hospital will give you clear instructions on the application and care of a urostomy before you are discharged. I you still have questions after that please write to us again. We are always here to help!

Thanks for your reply.

Ileostomy

Those strips have not worked for me, alas! Thanks I will try two piece system however. Thsnks

Gordy, How are you doing? Any new news? Will they still make a decision after the 17th?

Hi Catherine,

I'm scheduled for Chemo #6 in a couple days, January 17, at the VA hospital in Madison, WI.

A couple weeks ago, at the adjacent U of W research center, they did a special PET scan to check that no cancer cells had spread beyond my bladder.

None were detected, so that's good news. During my Wednesday visit for Chemo #6 I'm also scheduled to meet with a doctor to discuss further plans and/or procedures.

So far I've been lucky, very few side affects from any procedures, and those few have been minimal. Hopefully that continues.

Thanks for your concern.

A quick question....

Within the next few weeks the VA should be scheduling a urostomy.

A common problem appears to be urine leakage close to the stoma due to poor adhesion of the pouch.

Since urine will continue to drip from the stoma during pouch changes, what can be done, if anything, to keep the surrounding skin dry?

I always change the bag first thing in the morning before having even a sip of water.
After removing the old bag, I cover the stoma with a couple of 4x4" non woven sponges
brand Dynarex from Amazon, just in case there is any leakage. The key is to have everything
staged and ready to go before you remove the old bag - have the ring fitted in the new bag,
sponges separated, glue remover pads ready to use and skin prep ready to use with all the
little bags already separated. I am a big fan of these sponges because they do not release any
lint or filament which might compromise the adhesion. Train yourself to stage everything ahead
and make the process fairly quick, no interruptions by spouse, kids or pets. This is YOUR time.
Practice will make you faster.

Thanks, that's great information...

To do it right, I'm sure it will take some practice.

Hopefully the VA will provide me with quality products.

In discussions with other military vets, their best experiences have been with the VA hospitals in Phoenix and Madison, Wisconsin.

I've been to both, and have always been well treated.

My answer only applies to a urine ostomy because that is what I have and know.
Emptying your urine bag will be no different that regular urination and should happen with the same frequency. I think a leg bag is over engineering it and complicating things. If you have the right equipment, you should not have to worry about leaks. When you go to bed, you will hook up to an overnight bag which will collect all night, then you empty it every morning and put it away for the day. Always keep the overnight bag in a small bucket, just in case there is an equipment failure(for me, twice in 3 1/2 yrs) you don't want urine all over your carpet!
I suggest you get hold of a company like Hollister and ask for urostomy samples, I think once you have the different pieces in your hands then it will all make better sense. Pls reach out if you want more specifics - once you get the hang of it, it is really not complicated. When is your surgery, the one that will give you a urostomy?