Its a bag... otherwise the names I have for my 2 stomas have no relevance, they are...
Frodo & Bilbo BAGgins. ?

Good one ( ones) Alex! 

And welcome to the forum.

It’s a bag for me. It’s simple, straight to the point and Non-Ostomates ‘get it’ right away. I have tried to use ‘appliance’ and people think that I need to empty my toaster or stove. When I further explain that I have to empty ‘my bag’, then they understand and I then get the opportunity to share the ‘experience’ of having a bag on the outside of your body. Which is way more beneficial, than worrying about what adjective to use to describe my bag.

I’ve always used “pouch” because that’s what my ostomy nurse called it from my first visit before I had my ostomy surgery. It sounds a little gentler than “bag” to me. Just personal preference.

Love it!

Posted by: Patrick Sinclair

It’s a bag for me. It’s simple, straight to the point and Non-Ostomates ‘get it’ right away. I have tried to use ‘appliance’ and people think that I need to empty my toaster or stove.

Patrick, that's an important piece to remember! If the public (i.e non-ostomates) don't understand what you're talking about, they have less understanding and generally won't pursue it anymore.  If they still have questions after hearing that you have to "empty your bag", it can certainly open up the lines for discussion. 

Posted by: Bunny

I’ve always used “pouch” because that’s what my ostomy nurse called it from my first visit before I had my ostomy surgery. It sounds a little gentler than “bag” to me. Just personal preference.

Hi, Bunny. 

I wonder if your ostomy nurse called it a "pouch" in order to avoid any perceived negativity that might have come from calling it a "bag" in front of a new patient. 

I honestly don't remember what my nurses referred to it as. I wish I was paying more attention to these details back then!

I had gastric bypass surgery and my stomach is now called a pouch as it is 2 ounces small. Just as we sometimes name our stomas after ostomy surgery, after gastric bypass surgery we name our pouches, or new stomachs, sometimes as well. It is incredibly un appetizing, and counterproductive to my weight loss recovery to refer to a bag of poop hanging from my side as anything as fancy as my lovely pouch that is my stomach....though all your points are valid and well taken. Appliance sounds like a mouthfull considering that i also have leg and hand braces....i do not mind calling a spade a spade in my particular case! Be well!

Hi Ruth! Yes, too many things can be called "pouches", so it can certainly cause confusion - especially for those around you. 

I hope you're doing well. 

Lets just call it our personals........ :-)

I think that people should get over themselves. "Bag" or "pouch" falls in the category "SAME-SAME". It also falls into the category of "WHO CARES WHAT YOU CALL IT". I can't see this as being a large topic of conversation with the general public - only on line in forums such as this or at a meeting when the subject has to do with ostomies - or at your surgeon's office and stoma nurse. Well, this is my 2 cents worth - 2 cents seems like a lot here :)

Posted by: Kathy MacPherson

I can't see this as being a large topic of conversation with the general public - only on line in forums such as this or at a meeting when the subject has to do with ostomies - or at your surgeon's office and stoma nurse. 

It's not a topic you think about until you think about it ? I think it's important to at least discuss things like this because if there is confusion over what we call something like an ostomy bag, no doubt the general public is even more confused about the issue. And if they are confused, it will continue to cause stigmas or misconceptions about what living with an ostomy is about. 

That's why we like to kick it up a notch.. :-) Gets out minds off "it"  with a smile  :-) 

It is really confusing when you are just starting out. Different people refer to the same things in very different ways. Add to that the fact that a new ostomate can be sick , tired  and afraid and it can all be a real challenge. 

Its not even just the bag, its the whole nomenclature.

Whats in a name? what some thing is called gives an immediate image in our minds! that image could be negative or positive. for most for the ostomates bag will not offend but for some one else it could really be an insulting remark. More awareness of bowel problems is being brought to the general public and in the UK bowel cancer is now the 3rd biggest killer. what puts it in that place is embarrassment to go in time to the doctor with symptoms!! what could make the journey harder for any one facing having an ostomy the sigma of a BAG!! How many medical terms over the years have changed so much so they are not now correct!! Being an ostmate is invisible but no less a life changing event, more awareness is happening and more help, if debate don,t happen because a subject is awkward well that slows the process. On the lighter side of what we call it my Dad used to ask me "is every thing ok with yer wee purse" What can ye say "No Change" lol

Love the wee purse John..  Good 'ol dad.  huh?  I brought up an idea here in Harford, Ct. of Ostomy awareness--for our support group here.  We are gong to get some rocks and  paint them and put "ostomy support- and the google __####______" on them.  We will place them at resturants, banks, health centers, every place we can think of even T.V. stations. and raido stations.  These rocks will be placed in gardens near the doors... Many cancer support groups do this here.. So why not us??  think it is important to have others aware that this happens and can happen to anyone.. Many are like me = SURPRISE I got a what?????????? :-(   But the show must go on.   OCTOBER IS OSTOMY MONTH.. 

I use the word "personals" as we have black bears out now..  Had two big black bears marching down our driveway last week.  Our driveway is a path of their choice..  As they go about their business. So they are out and about being noisey etc. So I had my son bring in our trash barrel into the garage so my "Personals" don't get all over the place. So far as of my Ostomy appreance, this has not happened.  But always be prepared. It is my business, and if this does happen, I WILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT.. and really don't want to.. :-) 

I also had a failed "J Pouch" but glad I tried it. Even with the pouch after 0ne year I still had 15 or so B.M.'s per day. Had to convince my surgeon after 2 years to give me an ileostomy. Not tied to a bathroom any more....those were dark days. Bag or appliance is what I call it.

I use "bag" at home (as in "I can't talk now, I'm changing my bag"), and "pouch" when communicating with other ostomates, That's because it can lead to confusion with people who use bag liners. Ex., ""How much do bags cost?", "How often do you change your bag?" and "... then you drop the bag into the toilet" can be very misleading if misunderstood.

And don't even get me started on barriers, wafers, and flanges! LOL

The term appliance makes me think of a coffee maker or hand help mixer.