Hi There, If I am reading you right if it’s only the bag being changed no need to change anything else. If it’s a complete change every thing new. On the paste i don’t see I need to use if the barrier ring is working for you. Don’t feel you need to use products because they are their. They are all useful in their own way but many just use the wafer/bag on its own. Product overuse can sometimes cause an issue. Also the only silly question is one not asked.😀👍

Im curious why you've choosen closed end bags over drainable?   I empty my bag faster than urinating, changing bags twice a day seems so time consuming. 

Drainable allows you to empty multiple times a day if desired, no need to carry "it" around half the day.

I would use bags that can be drained. I use a 2 piece system and only change the bag when I change the wafer. Once a week, luckily. Could probably use the same bag for a lot longer than a week. At home I have a hand sprayer that I can clean/flush the bag end nicely after draining. At work or elsewhere I manage to clean it up pretty well after a drain with paper towels/ hand towels. My laziness regarding changing wafer/bag has gotten me to once a week and must please my medical plan provider due to the lower costs.

Alida, 

I would recommend trying some different sample of bags, including drainable ones. I know colostomies don’t have as frequent output as ileostomies, and if you did stick with closed bags, I certainly wouldn’t think you would have to replace the wafer every time you changed the bag. I have never really understood why someone would use a closed bag vs a drainable one, though there must be a reason. Otherwise no one would use them 

I used to only use paste, but with time got to where I feel as comfortable with rings as I did with paste and the rings are so much easier to clean off the skin. If you were changing your wafer more than once a day, cleaning all the paste off your skin would be a huge hassle. 

Hi Alida,

I would have to agree with the others. I have had my colostomy since 2018, and I only use drainable bags. I have  a light convex and only use paste, but you do have to do what's best for you and your situation. Wishing the best.

God bless,

Stella

OK, my reasons for using closed bags:  my output is sometimes the consistency of toothpaste, and I end up having to squeeze the bag; even if I rinse the bag and dry it really well, I still end up with brown water dripping down my leg.  Maybe I'm doing things wrong.  Any suggestions would be very helpful!  I was recently using a 2-piece Hollister set, but changed to Coloplast because it seems to be easier on my skin.  I also went with a 1-piece because the Hollister was bulky (along with my hernia) under my clothes.  Does anyone have experience with the 2-piece Flip?  Is it as bulky as my former brand?  

@alida 

Changing the bag 2 - 3 times a day will be a bit hard on your skin, stripping the surface layer etc.

A drainable bag might stay on for 3 plus days less erosion of the skin.

A two piece means you can keep the wafer for several days again, only  having to changing the bag esp if the filter fails and causes ballooning.

I like other's flush the bag through the drain using a squeeze bottle, also with a 2 piece you can take the bag off an rinse from the flange ring, for me these advantage outweigh the extra depth

Try some samples from the companies to find your best option.

Also to protect your hernia a wrap or hernia belt will reduce the visible appearance of your hernia and hopefully reduce risk of complications.

.

Rinsing the bag can be messy, try warm water and 3-4 rinses.

Or try a film of vegetable oil on inside of a new bag.

Tooth paste consistancy is very common for me.  I usually just push it down like tooth paste. 

@alida 

Concerning the dripping down your leg, if it is possible, try "kneeling before the throne" to empty out. That is the way that I do it - and this 65 year old is still able to get off her knees with out issues!

Good luck and God bless,

Stella

I don't understand why you would have leakage down your leg after emptying the bag? I use the Sensura Mio Clik. My output varies from watery to pudding consistency. At work or at home I have never had any leakage after emptying and resealing. It is harder to get the end cleaned up using just paper towel. But the seal is always 100%.

Posted by: @alida

even if I rinse the bag and dry it really well, I still end up with brown water dripping down my leg.

Does this happen after you've closed the end of the bag or does it happen with the closed-ended bags too?

If it happens with the drainable bags, what you need to do is dry the inside of the outlet - maybe 3" in - by rolling up some toilet paper and spinning it around.  

Once you've tried the outlet portion, it's important to keep the tail of the outlet upright until you've had a chance to roll it up and secure it. If water gets back into the last part of the outlet it will find a way out - I've had this happen to me before several times and it seems to be worse with certain brands.