After I had been in the hospital a few days my ostomy bag leaked and had to be changed. My first experience at changing an ostomy bag wasn't a good one. I really didn't know much of anything about ostomies. During my four years as an Air Force Medic, I never had to change one. In fact, I probably only emptied one a time or two. The nurse did my first change for me and discussed the steps she was taking.
The first step was removing the old ileostomy bag. I don't remember if she used any adhesive remover or not. She probably did, as I don't recall it being particularly uncomfortable. Then she explained that ostomy powder needed to be applied. She sprinkled the ostomy powder all over the area that had been covered. She then took the new wafer, cut it to size and applied it to my abdomen. Her final step was putting the bag on. Since I had recently had my colectomy, my abdomen didn't feel that good when it was pressed on. The nurse had to press the ileostomy bag pretty hard to get it to snap into the wafer she already applied to my abdomen. It was uncomfortable to say the least. I didn't know any better way of doing things, than what I had just been taught.
I would learn better techniques from a series of ostomy nurses. My favorite ostomy nurse was one that actually had an ostomy. She was more patient with the many questions I had and explained many good techniques. Her experience with ostomies made a huge difference.
The first step was removing the old ileostomy bag. I don't remember if she used any adhesive remover or not. She probably did, as I don't recall it being particularly uncomfortable. Then she explained that ostomy powder needed to be applied. She sprinkled the ostomy powder all over the area that had been covered. She then took the new wafer, cut it to size and applied it to my abdomen. Her final step was putting the bag on. Since I had recently had my colectomy, my abdomen didn't feel that good when it was pressed on. The nurse had to press the ileostomy bag pretty hard to get it to snap into the wafer she already applied to my abdomen. It was uncomfortable to say the least. I didn't know any better way of doing things, than what I had just been taught.
I would learn better techniques from a series of ostomy nurses. My favorite ostomy nurse was one that actually had an ostomy. She was more patient with the many questions I had and explained many good techniques. Her experience with ostomies made a huge difference.
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