I carry a 330ml water bottle with me (I've started to carry it filled so people don't look at me filling a water bottle before going into a cubicle).  I sit sideways facing the cistern, fill the toilet bowl with some paper and then empty the bag.  Rinse it out with the water, dry with some more paper and reseal.  Some people have said that you shouldn't use water in the bag but my dr and nurse recommended flushing the bag out.  If you don't want to touch the stoma with water then just flushing the neck of the bag gets out any residue and cleans the opening.  I also carry a travel size mouthwash and put a few drops in the bowl before emptying for any smell.  I am in Australia and our toilets aren't filled with water, there is only a small amount in the bottom before flushing.  I have wondered how I will cope with the US toilets and splashing.  What do you do?

Oh my yes indeed! I know for myself, I also use toilet paper for the most part or those toilet seat papers work too! Eric has posted some great visual aids above in this article too but that's what I do as well! I don't know if you caught those or this comment came through the other methods for posting so this is the link to the article: https://www.veganostomy.ca/how-to-empty-ostomy-bag/

Hey - the mouthwash is a great idea! That certainly can have a strong enough scent too! I like that & they come in travel sizes as well! Thanks for sharing Sydneychic!

Hi, may be here in the UK our toilets are a little bigger I don’t know but I sit forward as normal just a little further back and their is plenty of room. It’s the way I have always done it🚽😀

Posted by: john68

Hi, may be here in the UK our toilets are a little bigger I don’t know but I sit forward as normal just a little further back and their is plenty of room. It’s the way I have always done it🚽😀

I believe they are  because I had a conversation with a Brit who said that sitting gives them a lot of room and there's no way I could pull that off comfortably sitting on our toilets.

I always sit forward to empty the bag and because of my bladder disease I usually have to tinkle at the same time anyways. I always use to carry a full water bottle with me too, but now I fill at the sink if it is in small stores as in our small town area I am going to a place like Walmart, I do not want anything much to do with the sinks so I carry a full one there. I wash my hands at the sink but use paper towels to shut the taps if they have handles, and take two for the door handle, then when I get out I will use hand sanitzer also. Large stores in our area (Canada) have the sensor for turning water on these days. I LOVE the tip for the auto flush toilets, that is great, they freak me out when they suddenly flush! Silly I know, but man, some of them have a such a huge attitudes! Walmart store is always busy in the washroom. I would like to see a sink and toilet in the handicap washrooms, just because sometimes we need the water to clean at the same time as a sudden bag change or empty. Such great tips. Thank you.

LindaK

I also have another question I had Squamish cell carcinoma on my anus and in my rectum. I cannot sit to empty my bags do most people sit or kneel on the floor to empty them .I have to kneel on the floor and that is why I prefer disposable. Is it common To kneel .

@shazzon Hi Shazzon. I've moved your post to this forum topic and I feel it's more appropriate. I also had difficulty sitting after my rectal surgery, so I empty my bag while kneeling on one knee. It's worked out well for the past 6+ years, although if your knees are sore or if you find it uncomfortable I do suggest purchasing a foam matt you can kneel on to make the floor softer. 

@shazzon Hi, I always stand and bend my knees a bit, which works well - however, I am short ....

Maybe we should have a quick poll?

I'm definitely a down on the knees type sometime with a few "Oh God's" especially if I think I need a tinkle during rolling the odd golf ball 8-O 

I agree with Eric a memory foam bolster helps the old creaky knees.

The odd thing with my rectal cancer the toilet was the most comfortable seat in the house all the cushions, memory foam, special rings, Hard gurning seat was the best

Google if you dare:-  gurning toilet seat ! :twisted: 

Folks I was in a hardware store this morning and I seen kneeling pads for gardening and general floor work. Very neat compact and wipe clean. Would sit neatly out of the way and would be comfortable for those that prefer to do it that way 

Posted by: @john68

Folks I was in a hardware store this morning and I seen kneeling pads for gardening and general floor work. Very neat compact and wipe clean.

These can work quite well! If looking for foam anything (knee pads, floor pads, etc.) make sure to get one that is "closed cell", which means they won't absorb water and are very long-lasting. That's usually the same stuff that yoga blocks are made of, but I would imagine high-quality knee pads also use closed-cell foam. 

I love the way this article was written. The tone and the message were clear and positive. Thank you so much. I am one week post op and this was extremely helpful.

@Michelle Thank you, Michelle. Good luck with your recovery! 

What do illeostomy persons do when going for a hike and no toilets in sight, is there a portable toilet ?

Hi Susan,

This can depend a lot on the area and your comfort level.

The blog "Back Country Ostomy" has a wonderful article with some options, so I highly suggest checking it out: https://backcountryostomy.com/emptying-your-ostomy-outdoors/

carry a small shovel, pretend to be a cat.

Having enough room to empty while sitting on the toilet was a bit tough.  So I replaced my toilet seats with the "open front" style.  Freed up at least 1 - 2 inches.
 

I have a fairly active ileostomy and  just kneel on two knees on a thick bath towel in front of the toilet with the cover and seat up. Our home toilets are pretty low but even in public restrooms with taller toilets this works. I'm about 5'10" and my thighs seem long enough to do this. Bag opening is fairly close to the water level and splashing doesn't seem to be a problem. This setup prevents any stool coming in contact with any part of my body. I'm strong enough to push myself up with my arms and hands on the toilet rim.. If you're of too small a stature or because your strength might limit your ability to stand from your knees on the floor, this might not work.

Hi All . I too stand and bend my knees or kinda squat . Yes a little paper in first for splash but I squat far enough that there's not much worry for a splash . I've tried sitting on the toilet but just not enough space the toilets here can be elongated or round . And now most places have automatic flush and hands free sensors for soap and water . After having seen what people do in public toilets I could never kneel when in public or care to sit on the toilet . I do also prefer to rinse so when in public I carry a collapsible cup to use for water wherever possible . 

I dig a cat hole (small hole, 6” deep) and empty into it. Clean pouch with a tissue, bury tissue and poop.
or I carry a nylon pouch with some prestaged products. A few ziplock baggies, each containing a closed end pouch and a few tissues. I swap the full pouch for the empty, bag the full pouch and used tissues, carry it home in the nylon pouch and throw the used bag(s) in the trash. I do this if the area is too public or not conducive to digging a cat hole. I’ve even used this method in cities.