New member need advice...

You've got quite a unique circumstance!

It's recommended for us to empty our pouches when it's 1/3 full for a few reasons:

- a full bag can be uncomfortable, especially when it's tugging at the skin.
- full bags have more of a tendency to "blow out", which is to say, cause a major leak.
- full bags can contribute to wafer erosion and could shorten your wear time.

If these aren't issues, then there's no reason to be concerned. Your stoma us use to having stool touching it, so "festering" in it shouldn't really cause any problems.

I have an ileostomy, not a colostomy, but it's my understanding that colostomates tend to only empty their pouch maybe once or twice a day (like regular bowel movements), but this can depend on how much colon is left. We tend to have more output after surgery as our body learns to adapt, so what you are describing sounds normal to me.

Use the m9 drops in your pouch after it's emptied. It might help to put some M9 in the pouch when a new appliance is put on you.

Good luck!

Hi, I have a colostomy, with a good portion of my colon still working. I'm often not aware of having a bowel movement, but it seems to come out in small quantities over the day and night. I would guess the quantity is more or less the same as before I got sick.

I empty the bag 2-4 times a day. I wear a small bag, 7 inches, so hit the 1/3 level fairly easily, and have had it get quite full overnight without incident. I've had the bag so full of gas it's as hard as a rock, also without having an accident. I could empty less often, generally just dump when I go to pee. I find it more comfortable being relatively empty, especially with tighter pants or going up and down the stairs. I would guess that you may be less susceptible to this sort of discomfort, so could go longer. Especially with a larger bag. As VeganOstomy noted, the stoma is your bowel, so is well used to poop.

I don't use deodorant very often, don't find it makes much difference. The recommended way is to put it in the bag at the top before attaching it to the wafer, but (they don't mention this, but I learned the hard way) AFTER closing the drain! But if you needed to add some deodorant after the bag is attached, you could have your helper hold the bottom of the bag upright, and add the deodorant through the drain. Probably not as effective as adding through the top, but a little rubbing of the bag could distribute it somewhat.

Best wishes for a smooth adjustment to the stoma,

Ann

I take Devrom to cut down on the odor. This helps tremendously and my output is virtually odor free. This might be an idea for you since your brother empties and changes your bag.