My mainstay right now (and for at least the last two years) has been the Hollister New Image 2pc appliance (tape border). 

I get the ones with filters and usually wear the transparent version (because I always wear a band, belt, or pouch cover).

I like the minimalist design of the Hollister bags and it works consistently enough for me. 

Each brand offers their own pros and cons, which I hopefully illustrate well through my reviews. 

I'll have another appliance review up this week ☺️

I used the Convatec Mouldable 2 piece that click together

My reasons

- the mouldable base meant that I always got a perfect fit without having to worry about cutting bags to size

- using a 2 piece meant that I could see what I was doing when putting the bag on (especially useful for a newbie)

- the two piece that clip together add a bit of bulk. Most people see that as a disadvantage, but for me it solved my pancaking problems. Handy tip, put some soap on the rings to help them clip together easily 

- the Convatec mouldable bases come with a range of different bags depending on what your preferences are

- the bases have little loops on the side that you can attach a belt to for added security 

- the base has got a white flange extender built into it

- the drainable part of the bag closes into itself, meaning that the more full the bag becomes, the more secure the closure becomes, it can never accidentally open

With stoma bags everyone has their own preferences, bit like a pair of shoes. The best piece of advice that I can give you is to keep searching until you find what's right for you. Don't ever think that leaks are normal, they are not, you probably just haven't found the right combination of products that works for you

I've been an ostamate for about two years and have experimented with  various bags over that time.  As the V.O. As pointed out, there are pros and cons with each system. 

Hollister New Image:

Pros: Love the tape wafer. Easy to apply, easy to remove. The best for my skin.  

Cons: Pouch material is poor quality, hard to dry the pouch and wafer after a shower. The opening hangs unless you add your own velcro as suggested by V. O.  The pouch is not as easy to clean after emptying compared to the coloplast sensa mio.  

The biggest con: I tend to wear my pouch sideways in a comfort belt yet I have also experienced several embarrassing separations of the pouch from the flange.  I would vote this system, most likely to detach compared to the other systems. 

Coloplast Sensa Mio:

Pros: The pouch is the very best quality.  Pouch and wafer dry quickly after a shower, easiest to clean after emptying.  The opening tucks under pouch material with velcro. STRONG flange pouch attatchment that is very unlikely to detatch.  This system also allows you to turn it without the need to add oil (hat tip to V.O.) as required by the Hollister system.

Cons: The wafer sytem is plastic and compared to the Hollister tape system not as comfortable on my skin. It is a little harder to remove and can cause some inflammation. 

What I do:

I wear the Coloplast Sensa Mio to work and social events because of  my fear of an accidental detachment of flange and pouch. I wear the Hollister to give my skin a rest.  

Posted by: Dan

I tend to wear my pouch sideways in a comfort belt yet I have also experienced several embarrassing separations of the pouch from the flange.  I would vote this system, most likely to detach compared to the other systems. 

Hey, Dan! Welcome to the forums. 

Can you explain when this happens? Is it when your bag is really full or during certain activities? I've never had the Hollister 2pc separate on me while using a support band, but I'd like to know under which circumstances this is more likely to happen!

Thanks V.O.

I believe that the attached plastic pouch supports may come in contact with my belt or possibly my comfort belt may pull on the plastic supports when I'm untucking my shirt.  Really not sure why this happens occasionally but as you can imagine it is a major issue in a public place. A little gun shy with Hollister otherwise they would have been my system of choice. 

Posted by: Dan

I believe that the attached plastic pouch supports may come in contact with my belt or possibly my comfort belt may pull on the plastic supports when I'm untucking my shirt.  

That'd be embarrassing for sure! 

If you don't use those plastic tabs (which are meant for the thin, accessory belts), you may be able to just cut them off and perhaps avoid having them get caught up in anything. Might be worth a shot :)

Welcome to the land-O-Ostomates, Dan.

I also use the Hollister system. Two parts: The wafer and and bag.  The wafers are quite flat on the body and stick ( and remove) very well. The Bag I like has the 'cloth' covers on both sides and feels nice on my skin ( almost matches my skin tone too). The one I use is drainable  ( closes with the roll up velcro kind of stuff) and has a filter ( I add the EZ Vent ... highly recommended). You will learn that the filers  that come with the bags ( for gas build up) don't work very well .

I like the two part system as, Like Sarah said, its easy to place it correctly over your stoma.  I can also angle the bag (making  it lie not perpendicular to my body) so it fits in my undies better. With the two part system, you can also change the bag and not the wafer if you need to. Handy sometimes.

This whole thing lies very flat. I have never had it become uncoupled.

Note that as you heal your stoma may change size ( mine shrank a lot).

I am able to use a precut size wafer  which is handy.

I also use an Eakin Ring( cohesive brand...not Hollister) right next to my skin..under the wafer. It really sticks & stops leaks for me. I do not get the same wear time with Hollister rings.

I have had  an illiostomy for about two years.

BEST OF LUCK! You WILL figure this out and it will become second nature ( or first!). Someday, you will even forget you are 'wearing' it!

One more piece of advise: Once you figure out what works best, Change the appliance to a schedule, do not wait for it to leak. Main thing ( besides preventing leaks) is to protect the peristomal skin. Keep it healthy smooth and dry.

Well.. in my above post...I meant to welcome LarryC! Hi.

Thanks V.O, I have cut the tabs off in the past, thinking of that possibility but I admit I don't do it every time.  I have had two recent mishaps and thought that the addition of oil onto the pouch seal may have compromised the seal.   Not sure  if it was the tabs, oil,  or my inattention when gaining access to empty, just have more confidence in the Coloplast seal .

I love the Coloplast Sensa Mio pouch and the Hollister wafer, if only both companies could come up with a system that uses the best features of each pouch and wafer. 

?

Posted by: Dan

I have had two recent mishaps and thought that the addition of oil onto the pouch seal may have compromised the seal.   Not sure  if it was the tabs, oil,  or my inattention when gaining access to empty, just have more confidence in the Coloplast seal .

Or a combination of them all.  I definitely feel like the Coloplast 2pc systems (with the lock) increase confidence over a snap-together 2pc. 

I hope you don't have to experience that again!

And, while we are wishing. Why can't somebody make a bag with an integrated mechanical venting system, ( like the EZ vent) so we would not have to add them on later. I am sure they could make even more money!

Good point Dona

Posted by: Dona

And, while we are wishing. Why can't somebody make a bag with an integrated mechanical venting system, ( like the EZ vent) so we would not have to add them on later. I am sure they could make even more money!

They exist, however, are you willing to settle for an inferior bag/wafer for that feature? For me, the ez-vent is better because I can use it on any appliance. 

Wow. thanks to all who responded. I'm new at this so it was a comfort to hear that most of you use more or less the same one or two suppliers, I was worried that I was the only who didn't know about the best make and model and was using the worst, most expensive bag.

Second, thanks to Dona for the welcome to this forum.

Finally, a huge shout out to Eric for the hours it must take to administer this site.

Thanks to all 

Larry

I'm  little late responding here..  have had a busy month with shoulder rehab and catching up on life after 10+ weeks in an inpatient rehab facility.

I've been using the BBraun Flexima 2 piece with the guided tab system. They have been a God send for me, especially my skin, as they fit so well with a flat stomach, and I'm a colostomate, I don't know how well these would work with an ileostomy.. though I would expect similar outcomes as other 2 piece pouches. I use the Colo-Majic pouch liners and found them more difficult to use with the Hollister appliance, and even more trouble with the Sensio-Mio 2 piecers.    Just my liking and a system that has been working great for me.

I finally received the Sillicone Coloplast rings and really like the lifespan.. closer match for me than the Nu-Hope rings I have been using for a while. ..and finally bought some Trio Sillicone rings to try as well. Curious to see how well they work for me. I get such a long life out of the BBraun base plates, that they would outlast my rings, so these Sillicone rings are a welcome change. So far no difference in the way my skin reacts either, that was a concern.   Anyone else use or tried the Sillicone rings?  Any thoughts?

Posted by: Gimparoo

I'm  little late responding here..  have had a busy month with shoulder rehab and catching up on life after 10+ weeks in an inpatient rehab facility.

I hope you're feeling better!

I use the Colo-Majic pouch liners and found them more difficult to use with the Hollister appliance, and even more trouble with the Sensio-Mio 2 piecers.    Just my liking and a system that has been working great for me.

I appreciate you telling us about that! I know many colostomates are using bag liners, but if they've had difficulties using them with their appliance then this info is good to know!

So far no difference in the way my skin reacts either, that was a concern.   Anyone else use or tried the Sillicone rings?  Any thoughts?

If they work well with your skin, then you should have a lot of success with them! For some reason, they didn't stick very well to mine and I had leaks every time I used them (even when there really shouldn't have been any issues). That seems to be the only real complaint, but if it sticks and doesn't irritate your skin then you may have a winner!

Hi Larry!  

Welcome and hang in there!  For me it was about a year of trial and error, mix and match and sample after sample. I tried and agree with almost everything posted so far. 

I started out with 2pc systems because it was easier. Now I use a one piece for simplicity and low profile. I also had trouble with skin sensitivity  

I use ez-vents because no filter works for me. I have posted here about a rather complicated combination that I've settled on as my favorite. 

- Mio one piece precut. I love everything about the Mio pouch EXCEPT the monsterous and useless filter in the bag  

- sooo I cut it out and add an ez-vent. I also use brava barrier stops around it for extra security!

I have sensitive skin and I seem to tolerate it most of the time. I very rarely have leaks  and it's my fault when I do ?

All the best to you!  

Joanne

"If they work well with your skin, then you should have a lot of success with them! For some reason, they didn't stick very well to mine and I had leaks every time I used them (even when there really shouldn't have been any issues). That seems to be the only real complaint, but if it sticks and doesn't irritate your skin then you may have a winner!"

I have found that using the "Skin Tac" skin barrier wipes gives me a sticky film on my skin for the Sillicone seals to adhere to..  I didn't have much problem before, but these wipes sealed the deal for me!!

..and back to the Colo-Majic pouch liners, the Hollister 2 piece system was so tight of a connection, there was no way the liners/pouches would snap down correctly. The Sensa-Mio's security ring made the liners just to much work to get the comfortable connection I felt I needed to feel secure with the pouch liners, but the BBraun had enough play needed to get the pouch to secure and with the guided tabs it was a cinch to do.

I use the Sensura Mio 2 piece click with the opaque bag and love it for two reasons, one I feel secure in the click system that the bag is never coming off unless I undo it and secondly because the bag is water resistant and so easy to dry after a shower. Sometimes I will use a low setting on my hair dryer to dry the bag which takes maybe one minute.

I have ballooning problems as well and to relieve it I undo the bottom of the bag  and release the gas. Not ideal but it works. I tried the EZ vent but did not find that it helped that much. If there is another way to get rid of the gas I would love to know about it.

i just watched the video on the Salts appliance and am wondering how you dealt with the ballooning problem you had as it was a one piece appliance