Changing and emptying your ileostomy pouch

Changing and emptying your ileostomy pouch

How often does the pouch need changing? Is it difficult?

It will be very helpful if you can establish a routine for changing your ostomy pouch – a good rule of thumb is to change your pouch at a time when your ostomy is relatively inactive – many find that first thing in the morning is a good time. Frequency of changes depends on many things such as amount of output, output consistency, location of the stoma and wear time. You must always change your ostomy pouch if you feel itching or burning from the skin surrounding your ostomy. Typically, you should change your pouching system at least twice a week.

An ileostomy bypasses the large intestine (where water is absorbed from the stool to turn it solid), thus the output will be more liquid. You should empty your pouch when it is 1/3 to 1/2 full or more often if you desire. If your pouch is too full, it can get heavy causing the barrier to pull away from the skin and emptying can be more difficult.

SenSuraMio2 instructions
SenSura Mio. Changing or emptying the pouch.

Is changing or emptying the pouch difficult?

The first few times, it may seem difficult, but it should get easier.

Take your time, it may take a few times before you get it right. Make certain the first few times you try emptying or changing the pouch, you do it somewhere you feel safe and comfortable. Eventually, changing and emptying your pouch should become routine for you.

 

 

Information from Coloplast Care is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice and should not be interpreted to contain treatment recommendations.
You should rely on the healthcare professional who knows your individual history for personal medical advice and diagnosis.

Videos

  • How to prepare the barrier

    The video will show you how to measure and cut your ostomy barrier.
    Note! This is an instructional video for using a 1-piece pouch. The procedure is the same if you use a 2-piece pouching.

  • How to apply a 1-piece pouching system

    See video on how to apply a 1-piece ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to close the outlet of the pouch if you use an open pouch before application.

  • How to apply a 2-piece click pouching system

    See video on how to apply a 2-piece click ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to close the outlet of the pouch before application if you use an open pouch.

  • How to apply a 2-piece adhesive coupling pouching system

    See video on how to apply a 2-piece adhesive ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to close the outlet of the pouch before application if you use an open pouch.

  • How to empty a drainable pouch

    See video on how to empty a drainable ostomy pouch.

  • How to remove a 1-piece pouching system

    See video on how to remove a 1-piece ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to empty the pouch by the outlet before removing it if you use an open pouch.

  • How to remove a 2-piece click pouching system

    See video on how to remove a 2-piece click ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to empty the pouch by the outlet of the pouch before removing it if you use an open pouch.

  • How to remove a 2-piece adhesive coupling pouching system

    See video on how to remove a 2-piece adhesive ostomy solution.
    Note! Remember to empty the pouch by the outlet of the pouch before removing it if you use an open pouch.

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