Vitality Medical offers a vast selection of ostomy care supplies for people who have ileostomy, colostomy, and urostomy stomas and need the right tools for discharge collection, skin protection, and maintaining daily digestive health. Our top manufacturers are chosen for their high quality, diverse types of ostomy pouches. These pouches include a number of specific features, such as pouch vents and filters, drain openings, and easy-attach flanges. Whether you need a one-piece ostomy pouch or a two-piece ostomy bag, you are bound to find the right shape and style, as we offer plenty of options to choose from. For those who use two-piece ostomy systems, most pouches come with their corresponding ostomy barrier; however, they are also offered separately along with the many other necessary ostomy supplies.
Throughout our available products, you will find many fine accessories made by top manufacturers. This includes items such as deodorizers, ostomy paste and ostomy powders to prevent skin irritation, a tight stoma seal, and other products to help keep odors from being detected. These are all valuable tools for those who use colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy pouches. Many ostomy care products offer specific accessories to help apply the pouch system, including products like stoma adhesive, an ostomy belt, as well as cut-to-fit patterns to help shape the wafer barrier for uniquely shaped stomas. There are also irrigation systems that are especially useful for colostomy bag wearers. For some pouch wearers, these specific supplies may be difficult to find; however, Vitality Medical strives to have the best and most available selection of ostomy products anywhere and will prove to be a valuable resource for all types of ostomy users. When you shop for the products that you need, you'll find quality supplies at discount prices. Plus, if you have questions we can help you make the right decisions regarding what to buy.
Ostomy Pouch Patient Applications
- Ostomy Pouch Applications: These are products that attach to a stoma opening, are used for external waste elimination, or a space to accommodate or take the place of a section of the bowel.
- Use Ostomy Care Accessories for keeping the ostomy pouch shut with a clamp, as a skin barrier using a wafer, and deodorizing any odors from the pouch with a spray.
Living with an Ostomy
Living with an ostomy does not have to be an intimidating experience! To help you transition into your life with an ostomy bag, it is important that you to not only understand the importance of ostomy surgery, but to also take into consideration advice from dependable sources on living with a stoma post-surgery. Advice and guidance from professional sources and people who have undergone the surgery, will help you in terms of what to expect in the future.
The Importance of Colostomy Surgery
Many people have lost the normal function of their bladder or bowel due to disease, birth defects, injury, or similar situations. When this happens, it is important that he or she undergo an ostomy surgery to help restore the normal function of the bladder or bowel. Ostomy surgeries are divided into the following categories:
- Colostomy Surgery: Colostomy surgery is intended to divert waste from your digestive system through the stoma; a small opening on the exterior of the abdomen. During a colostomy, a piece of the colon is diverted to an artificial opening in the abdominal wall to bypass the damaged part of the colon. After undergoing this surgery, patients will need to learn what colostomy supplies are needed and how to properly use them.
- Ileostomy Surgery: An ileostomy is a stoma in the small intestine. The ileum contains digestive enzymes and acids that can contribute to skin irritation. Due to this, extra care is necessary to prevent waste materials from coming into contact with the outer skin on the abdomen.
- Urostomy Surgery: Urostomy surgery is a type of surgery that helps encourage the healthy flow of urine from the body following the removal of a diseased or damaged part of the urinary tract. A urostomy effectively moves urine into a pouch or collection device that can be easily cleaned, emptied and replaced as needed. Urostomy pouches contain a drainage tap at the bottom of the pouch to allow patients to empty the contents at their convenience.
What Does an Ostomy Surgery Entail?
An ostomy surgery effectively allows for normal body wastes to leave through a surgical opening in the abdominal wall called a stoma. Depending on the type of surgery performed, this stoma may be temporary or permanent. If you undergo ostomy surgery, such as an ileostomy or colostomy, supplies are needed to ensure proper maintenance and care. For example, you will be required to wear a special appliance (known as an ostomy pouch) to cover the stoma and to collect the output of the stoma.
Depending on the severity of your condition, ostomy surgery may be performed a few days after your initial diagnosis. Before you undergo surgery, your bowels will need to be completely cleaned out. After this is performed, an enterostomal therapy (ET) nurse will speak with you and your loved ones in order to provide all of the information you'll need concerning your upcoming surgery and post-operative care.
Daily Life and Stoma Care
Although most colostomy appliances are two-piece systems that contain a flange, one-piece ostomy pouch are also available. A flange is the portion of the system that attaches directly to the skin, while the pouch collects the waste through the stoma. You will need to take good care of your stoma to ensure that you have a healthy recovery following your surgery. Cleaning the stoma, changing your appliance, and purchasing the correct ostomy products to care for your stoma are all crucial aspects of ensuring that you have a healthy recovery following your ostomy surgery.
Tips for Living with an Ostomy Pouch
There are several tips that can help you live your life to the fullest while wearing an ostomy pouch. Here are a few guidelines that can help you transition smoothly into your new life with an ostomy pouch:
- Ensure that your skin is clean, dried, and prepped before placing the flange on the skin. This will ensure that the flange secures completely to the skin without issue. It is normal to experience some difficulty getting the flange to secure completely to the skin immediately following surgery. This issue will resolve itself with time, as you become more familiar with placing and adhering the flange to the skin. There are also several products available, such as Hollister Spray Adhesive that can help adhere the flange to your skin more securely.
- In the event of an emergency, it is important to carry some ostomy care supplies with you whenever you leave the house. An emergency ostomy kit can include supplies such as extra pouches, extra pre-cut flange, a roll of tape, a mirror, diaper wipes, and/or Q-tips.
- If you are feeling self-conscious about your ostomy pouch, consider wearing loose-fitting clothing until you become more accustomed to it. When beginning to wear and being comfortable with your pouch, use caution around small children and animals that might jump into your lap and accidentally disconnect the flanges.
- While driving, exercise caution when putting on your seat-belt. Make sure that the lap belt does not stretch across the area where your stoma is located. This will help ensure that you remain comfortable throughout your car ride.
Resources for Ostomy Patients
One Piece Vs Two Piece Ostomy Systems
When choosing an ostomy system, one of your first decisions is to choose a one-piece or a two-piece system. The system is comprised of a the ostomy pouch and a wafer, which is the barrier to protect your skin from stoma drainage and secures the pouch. There isn't a right or wrong choice when deciding on a system, it's just what works best for the user.
How Do You Decide Which Ostomy System Is Best For You?
One-Piece System: The ostomy pouch and wafer, also known as a barrier or base plate, are one piece. One-piece units are generally less expensive than purchasing each piece separately. Since it's one unit, the system is less likely to have connection issues. There are fewer steps to connecting the device and therefore would be helpful with users with dexterity problems such as arthritis. The once-piece system's design is very flexible and will lay flatter against the body making it less intrusive. The drawback to the one piece is if the pouch is compromised or punctured, the entire system has to be replaced.
Two-Piece System: The ostomy pouch and wafer are purchased separately. Many users prefer having the two separate pieces because the pouch can be easily removed to attach a new one instead of an entire new system. If the user needs to check on the stoma, the whole unit doesn't have to be removed, just the ostomy pouch. There are also a number of wafers to choose from with varying hole sizes and shapes for unique stoma sizes. Another great feature is the two-piece system allows for the pouch to flip horizontally at any time. Users who are very active may enjoy this feature. The price point for each piece is generally more expensive than the one-piece system. Users also need to make sure the ostomy pouch and wafer will work together.
