Having a stoma and an ostomy bag takes some getting used to.
It might be a little scary at first.
But you can do pretty much everything that you did before.
Your ostomy bag doesn't show under your clothes.
And no one will know you have one unless you choose to tell them.
So let's go over a few things ... like what a stoma is, how it works with your ostomy bag, and how to empty the bag and put on a new one.
A stoma is an opening in your body that is made after a section of your intestines is removed.
Body waste ... or stool ... leaves your body through this opening.
The ostomy bag is a plastic bag that fits over your stoma with a tight seal.
The waste goes into it.
The bag has two parts: a skin barrier that attaches to the skin and forms a seal ... and the bag.
Your bag may look a little different from what you see here, but they all work pretty much the same.
You can empty the bag whenever you need to.
And you'll need to change your skin barrier and ostomy bag every 3 to 7 days, or as often as your doctor tells you to.
It's important to wash your hands with soap and water before and after you empty your bag or change your skin barrier.
Emptying the bag is pretty simple.
Just hold the end of it over the toilet.
Undo the clip that keeps it closed and let the waste come out.
Then wipe the end and clip it shut.
When you need to change the skin barrier and bag, take the bag off ...
and gently peel the skin barrier off your skin.
Clean the skin around your stoma with warm water and let it dry.
You don't need to use soap or any special wipes.
This is a good time to check the stoma and your skin.
A healthy stoma is red and moist.
Sometimes it may bleed just a little ... and that's normal.
The skin around it can get irritated ... so look for any redness or broken skin.
Don't use an over-the-counter product on the area without checking with your doctor first.
Next, follow your doctor's instructions for applying a new skin barrier.
Make sure it sticks tightly to your skin with no gaps.
Then attach the new bag.
Most people have no problems with their stoma and ostomy bag.
But call your doctor if you have a fever ... constipation or diarrhea ...
belly pain ... or any blood in your bag.
And call if the skin around your stoma shows signs of infection ...
like increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness ...
red streaks leading from the area ...
or pus draining from the site.
Having a stoma and ostomy bag can be a challenge.
But knowing what to expect can make things a lot easier.
And if you have any concerns, you can always talk with your doctor.