I'm fresh out of Step 1 surgery and opted to start with the 1 piece bags. My only logic being that there are less links the chain that could fail. But in reading some posts I see that a lot of people prefer the two piece system so that you can shower with the bag off and probably prevent skin irritation better by being able to totally wash the stoma off every day in the shower. Do a lot of you guys do that?

Personally I prefer the 2 piece because I really hate the the way the bags go so yucky after a few days. By using a 2 piece I can change my bag every day even though I change the wafer every 4-5 days. It just makes me feel fresher.

The other reason is that I can see better to apply the new wafer which is better for me as I have a long stoma and the fact that I use opaque bags would mean positioning a 1 piece would be very difficult.

The system I use has an adhesive coupling so is almost as descrete as a one piece anyway.

Just my own opinion

Shell

Hi!

My brother is 7 weeks post surgery, and I am the one in charge of caring for his ileostomy, and when we were discharged they had me totally convinced that he would want the once piece system, and that would be easier...but I really like the ease and cleanliness of using the two piece I switched him to. It just feels cleaner being able to change the bag every couple days....he usually changes the bag every other day...and we've recently got the wafer to last for 4 days now...so that's really nice. We also found that the two piece feels more secure with the ostomy belt he wears, as well as his heavy work jeans he prefers to wear.
I am by no means an expert...but I didn't feel really great about putting the one piece on. I was worried that I wasn't lining it up right, or if I didn't have a good enough view on everything as I was attaching it. And he does like to shower with the bag off right before we remove it....
That's just my two cents.
Good luck...he's going on month #2 and things are getting SO much better SOOO fast. It's amazing once you develop a system how great it is.

Add my vote to the 2-piece column. I like them for the same reasons stated above (feels cleaner, easier to position wafer over stoma), but also because it's much faster, after a shower, to blow-dry just the wafer, as opposed to having to blow-dry a wet bag, too. In other words, after I shower, I change the bag. That way, I'm just blow-drying the wafer. Those bags take forever to dry.

My ostomy nurse also told me the one-piece system was the way to go but, like Shell said, the bags go 'yucky' very quickly (especially the bags with filters). I had a very high output (temporary) ileostomy and I ended up changing bags every morning (not good for my skin).

I also prefered to use the 2 piece system for the reasons that others have listed already.

You can change the bag if you want to, it's easier to put the flange on being able to see where it's going, etc.

I use the 2 piece because I switch from having the bag sideways with the Phoenix Ostomy belt during the day to up and down at night. I also switch froma 12 inch bag to a 7 or 9 inch bag and having a 2 peice makes that a snap as well.
I also change the bag in between the flange changing days...especially after I eat Chinese or Spicy food
hope this helps
David

I preferred the 2 piece system for both my end and loop ileos. I tried the 1 piece several times, as it is a bit more "low profile" under clothing, but I had problems with leaks. I found it much easier and more secure to go with the 2 piece system....I just didn't wear pencil skirts anymore until after takedown.

Add a vote for me for the 2-piece.

Shell said it first and I agree - fresher, easier, etc. But I'd also like to add that my system (2 pc convatec) is actually a 3-piece if you count the liner bag inside the ostomy bag. I use the closed end bag with disposable liner. I love that because each time I empty (pull out the liner and snap on fresh bag with liner) I wipe off Mr. Stoma and can peek at him to make sure all is well. I also LOVE to be able to shower without the bag. Yummmmy.

I hated the clip and dumping out the bag. I also tried the one-piece because its was touted as being very low profile. But, it wouldn't stay stuck on and I like security. I do not use an ostomy belt 'cause I'm just too petite. I can go 5 days with my two-piece. The convatec I use is really flat so unlike what Michelle said, I can wear pencil skirts and tight clothes. Do keep in mind however, that my perm ileo is quite low on my belly so it's usually below waistbands. It's also only about 1-1/2 long.

But, as others have said here - you need to try lots of different types at first and once you find what works for your body and personality, then go with that.

Cat

I guess I am the oddball here on this one.javascript:void(0)
Smiler

Coloplast, convex, one piece with a belt, was what worked for me. I changed appliances every 3days. No serious skin issues, No leaks, and gave me confidence to go out with it.

Due to where my stoma was, right on my waistline, every 2 piece I tried leaked, no matter what. The stiff plastic "tupperware" rings were just to rigid.

I used a tip from grateful (Paul) and washed out the bag after every emptying, with warm water, and a squirt bottle. It got most of the nasty stuff out, and the warm water felt very good too.
Monique

Perhaps I am a fence sitter, but I wear both. I have been wearing two-pieces since my surgery. I generally liked them better, as they were easier to put on, didn't require a barrier ring (only paste), etc. Then I sampled the SenSura one-piece (I normally wear an Assura two-piece). The bag was just better. It had a more substantial cloth, a better filter that doesn't leak, and a good Velcro system--I am in the I-hate-most-Velcro camp.

So I ordered a box of them, and I was wearing them. Then I started to have leaks. Something changed on my stoma, so I need to wear the barrier rings now. However, even with the barrier rings the one-piece is cheaper than the two-pieces.

The Velcro is good enough that I can even burp my one piece by pointing the bag towards the ceiling. I'll probably keep ordering the one-pieces and the rings because they're cheaper. But there are times--when I'm flying, etc--when I prefer to have the two-piece.

quote:

But I'd also like to add that my system (2 pc convatec) is actually a 3-piece if you count the liner bag inside the ostomy bag. I use the closed end bag with disposable liner. I love that because each time I empty (pull out the liner and snap on fresh bag with liner) I

cmkbirdlady I am really curious what these bags are. Is there a link or anything you can send me??? My son uses convatec, but I just can't find anything like this.
Thanks,
Melinda

I've always preferred a one piece. Over the years, at various times, I've trialled two piece samples but am always paranoid that I haven't stuck the two pieces together properly and have to constantly check lol.

I get 7 days wear from my one piece and can burp it from the tail end while lieing in bed in the total darkness without a problem

It's just a matter of experimenting and finding out what you're most comfortable with.

Good luck.

Seagull originally mentioned above the idea about being able to shower without the bag (2-piece, leaving the wafer in place, but removing the bag) in order to keep the stoma and skin in good shape. I don't underststand this.

Surely it's the case that the gut surface (the stoma) doesn't need any washing because of its constant mucous production? And if the wafer is protecting the skin immediately adjacent, then what is there to clean? My fear is that the very hot water I like for a shower will soften the wafer and it will erode. Immediately post surgery, I did that with a heating pad I'd used to relieve achey belly. Comments?

For all the reasons given, I prefer the two piece system, and like Shell, now use the Coloplast easilock (good velcro/burping/non-rustling/very secure design) with convatek adhesive wafer. Softer, lower profile than the tupper types. But, I've had to make some adjustments along the way as my stoma shrinks and the skin tightens up a bit. Originally the stoma rose from the belly evenly all around. Since it now has a dip on the bottom side, that is it tilts downward toward my belly skin rather than sticking up evenly all around, stool was collecting there and eroding skin slightly. A light convexity on the wafer helps with that, and coloplast makes a good one piece like that.

I've also found that depending on what I'm doing, sometimes I prefer one system over another. New bag, hot day in the garden, belly still folding in weird places after surgery/fat deposits collecting at incision or stripped away right on the incision, etc., I can get a leak in the adhesive system, and the rigidity of the tupperware two piece with a belt appeals. Most of the time, the tupper type is too rigid, esp. for a tender belly just a few weeks post surgery, and I prefer the softness of adhesive system. I think hospitals fit a one piece cheap transparent system because they know from long experience that body changes over time will dictate more individualized choices. They can slap one on quickly, see the functioning and waste texture, use one standard huge size when output is high, and buy by the trainload.

Barbara

One big plus for me is if I eat gassy foods I can burp the 2 piece and not have to empty it each time... Or when I am sleeping and I need to burp it (though wife isnt to fond of it nor was she when gas worked the other way LOL). So I only empty 3 times a day or so and if I had to unclip/velcro it would be a lot more.