Steps On Replacing Your Ostomy Appliance

By Arline Bradley


One may have had an ostomy in the past few days. If you are one of them, you really must wear the appliance on it every time. There would be times that you will get frustrated with it. There will also be times that it makes you feel itchy.

In this article, you would be guided on what to do. You will be guided on the steps on how to change your ostomy appliance. Doing this will also help maintain the skin around your stoma healthy.

The first procedure would be preparing the things you would be using. You should have some clean water, strips of gauze and some paper towels ready. You should also have your new bag ready. You should have it pre cut. Throw away the old one so you must have the necessary stuff ready.

Remove your t shirt first. You should insert a paper towel between your skin and underwear. This would help in changing bags in a way that is neat. This would also help in avoiding dirt from getting on your underwear and your skin when you will change.

To remove the old one, hold the skin down with one hand. Pull the bag away until the stoma is completely uncovered. Throw that away in the waste bin. Be sure that you always have a bin that will just be a reach away when you are changing so that you could easily throw that away. It is also best to shave away the hair around it. This would help the bag stick better. You will also feel less pain when you peal it away.

Soak those strips of gauze on water to wipe your skin. You have to pay much attention on the parts surrounding it. Wipe your stoma until it gets clean. Use the paper towel to have it dried. It is suggested that you use it as it is capable of absorbing fast. It will not stick on the skin too.

One can also apply a suitable lotion. This will be helpful to lessen the sore. But, it will not help to stick the appliance well. Place a newer one. Check if it sticks. You may use your palms to place it well.

It would be better if you will be changing it in the morning. This is the time that the stoma is the smallest although it is still active. Most people who have it do that as well. The number of times you are going to be changing your appliance will depend on your supply and its behavior. There would be circumstances that you could just do that every other day. There would also be circumstances that it should be done every day. If you think that is not budget friendly just have that done every morning.

You should ask for the assistance of your doctor so you could take care of it in a better way. Doctors could recommend the best type of appliance for you. They could recommend stuff to lessen pain as you are replacing it. Before you change it, check if your hands are clean. If you check it, you could prevent some infections.




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