All my fellow ostomates know how hard it can be to find the right ostomy gear for your needs. Some people with a stoma are okay with buying some generic, off-brand ostomy supplies that you could find in your local Walgreens. If you are like me, then you only treat your stoma with the absolute best, premium, and highest quality ostomy gear and supplies. I know that not everyone is willing to go to great lengths to find the best ostomy gear, but personally I am all for it. I have a set amount of money each month that I set aside to buy the best and most premium ostomy supplies available. I wanted to go ahead and make a list of some ostomy supplies that I feel everyone should know if they themselves have a stoma. There are some obvious ones on this list, that I am sure every ostomate has or knows about, but hopefully there are a few that are new to you and there is something you can take away from this article that I spent so much time on.
If you are new to the ostomy world, then you may think that occasional leakages in your ostomy pouch as well as frequent skin irritation is normal – well let me stop you right there. Those things are not normal, and it can get a lot better! There is much more in store for your stoma and I want to enlighten you on a few things. You should be prescribed some ostomy gear as you are discharged from the hospital, but this will only get you so far. It is important to know that you are not locked into any one ostomy pouch, and there is a surprising amount of customization involved in ostomy pouches and other accessories and supplies. One piece of advice that I wish I had known earlier is the difference between one-piece pouches and two-piece pouches. If you are rocking with a one-piece pouch, then I suggest you research more about the difference between the two. I started off primarily using a one-piece pouch, and I stuck with this for longer than I should have because I was worried about changing the kind of pouch I used.
A one piece-pouch is easier to use when you are first getting adjusted to having a stoma, but after a while there are some noticeable setbacks. One drawback is that you have to change the entire pouch with the skin barrier system every time you want to change out your pouch, because they are attached to each other. The benefit of the two-piece system is made apparent here because you can change the pouch without having to change the skin barrier as well. This is ideal for traveling, or being anywhere on the go because it makes changing much easier and faster.
Another thing you need to know about ostomy pouches is that it is important to wear ostomy wraps, belts, and other accessories when you are going about your daily life. Wraps will ensure that your ostomy pouch is kept tightly in place and form fitting to your body, so you do not have to worry about it bouncing or squirming around during the day. Belts and wraps can also offer some protection for your ostomy pouch in the event that you bump into something or experience some sort of impact with it.
Ostomy Basics 