UCVlog: Changing Ostomy Appliance pt. 1

[TheXtheta]

dude, if i were your nurse, i would be so proud that i have educated you well. you take good care of your stoma real good! and very educational too! :)

[annabelbatocael]

THANKS ALOT Mr. Dennis!!!! You are very helpful and your videos are informative. GOD BLESS YOU :))



[biggeorge96]

Dennis: After 3 bag changes in 9 hours Dec 17th, the day and the night of the Christmas party, I found you on the internet during the early hours of the 18th. I followed your pt.1 instructions, particularly about washing the stoma and surrounding area, use of the barrier spray, the hairdryer, and rimming the cutout with the rolled up 1/2 barrier ring (the main thing); and have ENJOYED, so far, 4 days each on the last 3 bags. Thank you, thank you, thank you. George and Jane.

[biggeorge96]

Dennis: I figured out the obvious and have viewed part 2, which was also helpful to us. I was especially wanting to see how you used the ostomy and the barrier spray. I think that now, thanks to you, we're back on track. George and Jane

[biggeorge96]

Dennis: Thank you for your prompt response and your good work. I'm afraid I'm guilty of generational computer/youtube ignorance - how do I get to your YouTube channel?

[biggeorge96]

Found your part 1 particularly helpful. I'm caregiver for my wife who has the colostomy, and we've had a terrible time with leakages in recent months. Has had the colostomy since April '97, and had another surgery in Jan '10 for repair of abdominal hernia and possible takedown that turned out to be not possible. We believe part of the problem was now flatter belly with maybe some concavity since 90% of the leakages in her 3 oclock position of the barrier. Trying hard to find part 2. Help/thanks

[UCVlog]

@biggeorge96 Part 2 is available if you go to my YouTube channel. It's one of the earliest videos. You have to be signed into your YouTube account since the video is blocked to minors because of the open stoma.

Dennis

[hanage1]

im curious about the supplies for helping irritation, i have it around mine dut didnt get to read what you recomended for the relif, please tell me what those are, thank you :)

[UCVlog]

@hanage1 I'm not sure what you are asking. I don't know much about irrigation, or what supplies are good to use. There are other videos on YouTube that talk more in depth about irrigation.

~Dennis

[leia0stevens]

Thanks for the VLOGs, just had the op and its been really helpful :)

[aupperlecj]

Thank you so much for your sharing of your life. It took a lot of courage but has helped me with my recent colostomy. I appreciate you.

[Hyemoonie]

where is part 2?

[UCVlog]

@Hyemoonie Part 2 is up. Just go to the channel page, click "Uploads." It's toward the bottom, on of the first videos posted.

~Dennis

[821loveforever]

Thank you for sharing this.

[witheringwhitewriter]

exellent video! I'm off to find part 2....

[KDelphi]

Thank you for this..I used to have one..people should know before they get one of these how complicated it is..its not just a matter of vanity--and how much it can cost! Very generous of you

[ryanosso]

lol you look like ur new to it :p had mine for 15 years not to mention the fact im only 15

[UCVlog]

@ryanosso This was over 3 months into it. I know not all people change the appliance this way. But this is what worked for me. If you have a different way or a better way of changing it I suggest making a video and showing everybody! YouTube could use more demonstrations from experienced ostomates!

[llomn8]

Very informative. Thank you! This must get so expensive with all of those supplies. Wow. I really apreciate that you are so open about your ostomy. I think it's great. Thanks again!

[llomn8]

Very informative. Thank you! This must get so expensive with all of those supplies.  Wow. I really apreciate that you are so open about your ostomy. I think it's great. Thanks again!

[llomn8]

Very informative. Thank you!

[99F]

I hope everything works out for you man

[gfnidave]

y don't you use gloves for ur protection u keep on touching stuffs...that ul use for ur ostomy care

[UCVlog]

I did wash my hands well before I start and after, so that always seemed good enough for me. And if things were messy when I took the appliance off, I washed my hands again. I guess I've never liked the feeling of gloves when trying to do something intricate like changing an appliance.

[poison3119]

The intestions don't need to be sterile. It is okay to get your intestines dirty somewhat because it come within all those bacteria anyways

[Murse20]

Thank you so much this is great, I am a nursing student, I have changed a few of these bags. I have a return demonstration coming up and this is an excellent refresher and great educational video. Thank you good sir and all the best to you.

[2caver]

Can you use one-piece bag? I use Holister 8591. However, my stoma is not close to navel. The wafer is close to but not overlapping the navel. Would photos help you? I will be happy to supply some of my stoma area.

[UCVlog]

Hi, there's nothing wrong with a one-piece bag. I personally never used one when I had my ostomy but I don't see any problems with it if I had. If I had an ostomy again I would certainly experiment with it.

Dennis

[hhefner2000]

How often do you change the bag?

How often do you drain the bag per day?

How much does all those supplies cost over a year?

Do you wear it over/under your underwear/pants?

Are you currently on any medication?

[UCVlog]

1) I changed the bag every 3-4 days, though sometimes every 7 days if I was lucky.

2) I emptied the bag about 6 times a day, once at night.

3) If you buy at full price you will likely spend hundreds of dollars a year, so it's important to see if insurance will cover the cost of supplies.

4) I just tucked the end of the pouch into my waistband of my pants and covered the bag with my shirt

5) I was on no medicine while I had my ostomy!

[2caver]

I noticed that you have taped your appliance up quite a bit and you said you did it on the 3rd day. I have been wearing ileostomy pouch for 12+ years and have never had to add additional tape.

I will now watch the remainder of your video. I've never been able to video my method of changing pouches.

[UCVlog]

The reason I taped it up is because my stoma was very close to my belly button and the wafer didn't cover the belly button so water frequently got under it, hence loosening the seal. I experimented with different ways of cutting the wafer so that it didn't interfere with my belly button, to limited success.

[xgeekette]

Just wanted to say thanks for such a comprehensive video! I am also a student nurse and this video was recommended to me to learn about ostomy care. :)

[ollywoodAngel]

I am a student nurse... you video was helpful. Thank you for sharing. All the very best to you :)

[burgmail]

I am so sorry to hear you had to go with surgery. Having been diagnosed with chronic ulcerative colitis as well (2003), there was a point where I thought surgery was my only option. But I have been able to bounce back, EVEN HEALTHIER than before, through diet and heeding my body's messages. I wish you the best in your recovery. To those who've yet to undergo this, feel free to watch my train-of-thought video and share your comments ("Conquering ulcerative colitis WITHOUT SURGERY : Prologue").

[UCVlog]

Thanks for the comment, but really, no pity is necessary. Surgery was a lifesaver and I don't regret any decisions I made. Living with an ileostomy was not nearly as bad as some imagine.

After they removed my colon they commented that the entire first layer was eaten away. I'm not sure if the colon can regenerate or heal that damage. I've read that the first layer is very important in keeping bacteria from infecting the colon.

[burgmail]

I do have friends who have had the surgery and who are grateful to have their life back. Although I'm not a medical expert, there have been cases where the body has performed what seems like miracles in regenerating/healing itself. It sounds reasonable to say the first layer keeps bacteria from infecting the colon... I believe that's the way the epidermis works with your skin/flesh as well. I also have a belief concerning how Crohn's similarly develops from Colitis, but that's for another time.

[bummercucumber]

My grandmother has one of those appliances because she's paraplegic and doesn't have control of her lower back and butt. When she first was paralyzed she didn't need it for some reason.

[linnerfors]

i got UC when i was about 6 years old and i got an ileostomy surgery right before i turned 7. i'm 18 now. but i change my bag 1 or 2 times a day. when i go up in the morning and right before i go to bed.

[UCVlog]

Why do you change your bag so often? Is it just a one-time use bag? Do you not have to empty it during the day or is your stool very thick?

[linnerfors]

No you can have the bag on for a couple of days. but i dont like it :P and my stool changes. sometimes it's as thin as water. and sometimes it's really thick. depends on what i eat. but most of the time i would say .. more thick than thin. haha. i change my bag maybe 1-3 times a day. but mine is not as big as yours.

[chummyD]

do you have a j-pouch or are you stuck with that thing for good?

I was diagnosed with UC when I was 12. I had an ostomy for almost a year (during jr. high) then I got it reconnected to a j-pouch.

[UCVlog]

I do have a j-pouch, but my takedown surgery is still a couple months away.

12 huh? I've always been interested in talking to kids about UC since it doesn't seem to happen that often. I'm sure it was a rough time.

[tweetie35]

wow you have to many thing to do just to change your bag