New Ileostomy? Medical Supplies You Will Need When You Return Home

If you will be undergoing ileostomy surgery soon, then you are likely learning all about ileostomy care and how to keep your new stoma healthy and infection-free. One of the most important ways you can help prevent infections and other ileostomy complications is to change your ileostomy barrier and bag properly on a regular basis and keep an eye out for symptoms of infection of your stoma and/or the surrounding skin. 

You can make bag and barrier changes easier and safer by always ensuring you have the right medical supplies you need on hand to perform changes at all times. Read on to learn about medical supplies you will need to care for your ileostomy properly and a few supplies that make living life with an ileostomy much easier. 

Extra Pouches and Skin Barriers

Health professionals recommend that patients with ileostomies change their skin barriers and ileostomy bags about once every five to eight days. For this reason, you should always have plenty of extra skin barriers, also called ostomy wafers, and bags on hand at all times. If you currently use a one-part ostomy system instead of a two-part system, your bags are already equipped with attached skin barriers that you do not have to purchase separately

Two options you have when purchasing either type of ileostomy pouch are whether you would like a drainable or closed-end pouch and the choice between an opaque and clear pouch. A drainable pouch has an end that is kept shut with a clip that can be removed for quick ileostomy pouch draining. A closed-end pouch, on the other hand, must be discarded every time it fills up. Unless your healthcare provider has suggested one type of pouch over the other, choose the pouch type that you prefer. 

The choice between an opaque and clear ostomy pouch can be based on personal preference alone. While clear pouches make it easier to determine when your bag needs to be changed, some people prefer the appearance of opaque, skin-toned pouches.

Ileostomy Accessories

While some additional medical supplies are needed during pouch changes, such as pouch adhesive and adhesive remover, others make living with an ileostomy much easier.

Stoma paste fills the crevices of your stoma to make applying your ileostomy skin barriers much easier. In addition, since people with ileostomies may be more prone to bag leakage, because much of the waste matter that enters their pouches can be in liquid form, you may want to also order ileostomy absorbent gel packs. You place these packs inside of your ileostomy pouch where they absorb liquid waste before it has a chance to leak out of the pouch. 

If you have just had ileostomy surgery, then be aware that you will need a variety of medical supplies to aid in ileostomy care. Always keep extra pouches on hand for quick, easy bag changes and consider purchasing ileostomy accessories that make living with an ileostomy more convenient.