Hi Bob, yes, with a 1pc you would have to have a large hole already cut in the back to even have a chance to cut out the pre-filter (I wouldn't even attempt it in that case).

But it seems like that pre-filter "should" work better for people who have a colostomy (dry, infrequent stool). For us with ileostomies, it just soaks up fluids and fails quickly.

The video on how to put the 2 piece bag together is sort of misleading as it is quite easy to put it together OFF your body but I found it impossible to put together ON my body. If anyone has a suggestion for me I'd love to hear it as I am using the one piece now but would much prefer the two piece.

@Diane

Hi Diane. Which brand and model are you using? I use Hollister New Image 2pc and only ever connect it when the wafer is already on. They are designed to be easy to do that for people who change their bags more frequently than their wafer.

Posted by: @Bob

Eric, thank you for replying so quickly! You wrote: "I can only guess that filtered models are more popular, even if they don’t work for everyone."

Well, Coloplast has been promoting their full-circle filter very strongly. See their video at https://www.coloplast.us/global/ostomy/convex-launch/convex-innovation/?section=The-pre-filter-is-the-key_391002 And they seem to think it's such a great innovation that they're putting it in nearly every Mio model. It's possible that this pre-filter is causing problems for a lot of people who have no idea that it's a problem. Sometimes it's pretty obvious, as in Gail's case below. It wasn't so obvious in my case. I was getting occasional major leaks for no apparent reason, which was very frustrating. Finally, I figured out that my leaks seemed to be related to pancaking caused by the Mio pre-filter.

You also wrote: "If you are feeling adventurous, you CAN cut out the large pre-filter from the Mio bags, and then put a sticker over the outside of the filter from the outside of the bag"

Since I had saved one of the filtered Mio pouches that I used to use, I've examined it to see if this would be possible. I decided that with the 1pc model I used, it wouldn't be possible to cut out the pre-filter without destroying the pouch. But it might be possible with a 2pc.

Currently experimenting with appliance combos and have several thoughts and questions on Mio 2 piece. I’m still healing and have long stoma so sticking with 2 piece systems for now. 

Used Hollister with CLIPS while inpatient but ordered the lock and roll once I got home. I’m still at the stage where I want to see my output and stoma as its early days (and actually will likely prefer to always be able to see stoma). Ordered Hollister transparent and they changed the material! It’s now this thin crinkly plastic that extends to the spout, is hard the clean and does not inspire confidence! Apparently this is also what you get if you order ultra clear as well.  Anyone else notice this change in material?

Back to Mio click 2 piece: 

-Love the feel of the bag, ability to roll cuff, and locking mechanism

-super difficult to attach bag to wafer on skin as others have noted and unable to rotate once on even when unlocked (will try water as Eric suggested next time)

-I have very thick output despite hydration and the prefilter is a recipe for pancaking. I cover the small filter on day one to allow for air but that huge prefilter sucks! It just sits there collecting shit around the stoma. I’d love a filterless option that I can attach the EZ vent to. 

Question: is the Mio Click pouch available anywhere without a filter?

(interestingly, only the wide spout maxi (11473) are available in the US, not the narrow Eric mentions. I think this is ok though as I like the little Velcro tabs that hold back the spout protector). 

I need to see how the Coloplast wafer treats my skin then decide between the Hollister (would need to to opaque given the new flimsy fabric) and Coloplast and deal with the prefilter issue. So confusing!

Wanted to clarify: anywhere you can get the Mio opaque pouch with inspection window (best of both worlds!).  There is still one filterless Mio available in transparent (11474). 

Hi JTvT, You sound like a Pro already 😀 can’t give you any feedback on those particular products but on the pancaking yes the filters are a cause! Try a little air in the bag or roll up some toilet paper and put inside so it’s allowing room. On another point with a longer stoma which is good 👍 always remember to inspect the underside. I was guilty of this in the early days. Wrapping the stoma after cleaning will keep moisture of cleaned skin. Don’t use toilet paper for this. Yer doing well 👍

Posted by: @jtvt

Question: is the Mio Click pouch available anywhere without a filter?

The only two that I see without a filter are the 11474 and 11484, both are transparent. Even their closed bags, which all seem to be opaque with an inspection window, have filters on them. 

Filterless bag options aren't very common, regardless of the bag, but I think the real problem is that many filters are just so bad that you'd want to only use a filterless option! 

@john68

Haha. Thanks but by no means a pro. I’m still 50/50 on even emptying without making more of a mess than I would like! Need to buy stock in TP and wet wipes. 

What do you mean by “wrapping” the ventral aspect? I am now inspecting this area more closely as have some mucocutaneous separation there that I treat with each appliance change. I try to be careful to ensure that the barrier ring is closer to this area for protection though it’s difficult with a long spout! Each change is still a frustrating exercise but baby steps. 

Hi JTvT, when I say wrapping I mean using a strip of gauze after cleaning to wrap up the stoma. With a longer stoma it’s not easy to see the skin underneath. So I tend to lift the stoma and make sure all is ok and dry. I know this all seems like a lot of knowledge to take in. Plus each ostomate will have their own ways as we are all different. But believe me it becomes second nature. Take your time changing, it’s not how quickly but how well. A bit extra time is well spent.

@veganostomy

For thick output, the filter works too well on day one, squishing stoma and output, then is useless for me other than to create a less than appetizing pancake for remaining 2 days. 

Thinking of trying filterless with EZ vent. I like to be able to vent on demand from the top like with the Hollister 2 piece Tupperware flange. Once I heal up a bit I’ll be covering it with some sort of wrap or belt anyway so maybe the Coloplast transparent will work.  I have a bad feeling they may be phasing them out though :-(  

The new Hollister transparent/ultra clear material is a deal breaker for me though. Way to thin, crinkly, and think it may leach odor. Do you use the opaque Hollister and forgo seeing your stoma in action?

Thanks for the tips on the Mio click! They take some effort to get on!

I don’t know if we are allowed to share links, but when I watched this YouTube video, it taught me how to lubricate and rotate my sensura mio and utilize a stealth belt.  I can’t explain how much improvement life is when able to wear a stealth belt.  This is the link

I don’t know if we are allowed to share links, but when I watched this YouTube video, it taught me how to lubricate and rotate my sensura mio and utilize a stealth belt.  I can’t explain how much improvement life is when able to wear a stealth belt.  This is the link

@uctoostomy

Ahhh. That was super helpful. I hope the Coloplast works for my skin as that is a slick (pun fully intended) set-up. Thanks! 

Thanks UCtoOstomy. I’ve been thinking of trying the click 2 piece again instead of the adhesive. Now I think I will for sure try it and try a stealth belt too. I’ll take any life improvement I can get!!  Though I might have to wait until my wound is healed before trying the stealth belt? Maybe wait til the hernia is fixed too? 

@uctoostomy

Yup! It's a great trick! I've also written about it because it's so helpful, especially those wearing bags that don't easily rotate: https://www.veganostomy.ca/rotate-ostomy-bag/

@veganostomy

I have eagerly been investigating the, 2 pce  system for a very long time, wondering just what exactly is the big attraction to this piece of equipment! Sure I've watched as many  videos as I possibly can too.  But...my biggest concern is exactly how this gadget stays together, and,  what if it pops open on me, with high output, and it likely would just so it could say it did if it could actually talk!!! The longer this forum gets, the more convinced I am to give it a try.

My main reason for considering trying it is because as you ever so honestly, pointed out in your Video Eric...the unpleasantness of having a pouch that has gas or output in it and what it "looks like"  with said product in it, when  a pouch is not worn *sideways. The first time I heard you say you wear yours sideways, my ears not only stood at attention they soluted you!!! Being female,  gassy as ever, with short short gut syndrome, yes I said that twice, it is what it is, these are  my greatest concerns  & embarrassment! But, l heard you loud and clear that day.  I have been learning all I can and reading every word here, sometime several times, and the more I learn, the more I have a need to try this system. So,  I will make my phone call to Coloplast tomorrow and give it a whirl!

Eric, is this the exact pouch system you use? Sorry, post concussion memory issues and I did not take notes. Also, would you recommend this for high, frequent output producers? What about frequent bending, ny dogs are small- med. size and I groom them  & play with them a lot.

JTVT and Liza, your questions and concerns have been particularly  helpful to me. Thank you to everyone else who has taken part here also.

Knowing I can attach the Osto EZ Vent, helps me with this decission, tremendously.                                      

Posted by: @dlkfiretruck

Eric, is this the exact pouch system you use?

It's not. I've been using Hollister New Image 2pc appliances for years now. 

Coloplast SenSura® Mio Click #18500 with pouch #11463

Hi Diane,

Those are the Concave products, which I haven't tried myself, but the coupling looks to be the same as their other Mio Click products, so they should still snap together. My suggestion would be to make sure that the locking mechanism on the coupling is unlocked when you try to snap them together, but it's entirely possible that if the coupling is curved while on your body then it may not line up very easily.

Ahhh, I never thought of the convex curve causing the problem. Perhaps that is it. Thank you for this site, it has answered more questions than were answered during my almost three months in the hospital! The one piece convex (not concave) is what I am using now and it seems fine. The 18500 is convex not concave, by the way.