I have had my stoma for two weeks now. In the beggining the stool that came out was more on the liquidy side but now since I have been eating more and introducing more foods into my diet it has gotten thicker. When it was liqiudy the bag was easy to empty but now it is harder since it is thicker. Is their an easier way to empty the bag as the stool gets thicker? Is it ok to put a little water in there and swish it around?

Yes, it will get thicker as you eat a more regular diet. Some rinse out the bag with water. I simply use some toilet paper and clean out the "tail" end of the bag with it, since I use the velcro-close bags (without a clip). Usually works fine for me.

Oh, I forgot, Adapt makes a lubricating/deodorizing gel that you can put into the bag after each emptying session. If you coat the bag with it, it makes it easier to get everything out and cuts down on the odor.

I do the water swoosh and I recently got samples of the Adapt lubricant and really liked them. I'll be ordering them when I call in my monthly supplies.

I'm a swisher too. My stool is almost always too thick and sticky to just empty and I really hate doing the giant tube of toothpast squeeze thing!

At home I keep a small jug in the bathroom and I carry a small water bottle in my handbag which I fill at the sink before going into a public stall. It's quick and easy and I'm in and out of the loo in a couple of minutes whereas if I had to try to squeeze out the poo from my bag and then clean the tail I'd be there for ages.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't waste my time or money on bag lubricants because swishing with water is not only free it's a lot quicker and easier.

Shell

I agree, pouring some water in there makes me feel "cleaner" and does make emptying the bag so easy. I just put a couple squares of toilet paper in the bowel first to prevent splash-back.

I too am a swisher...got the tip from Shell and it has made life so much easier.
You learn so many cool tips on this site. My ostomy nurse at the hospital could learn a thing or 2 from this site
David
Go Colts

I always used water to clean out the bag, it made it easier to empty.

janna

Hi

When at home,
I use a turkey baster, fill with water, shoot it in 'gently' and rub/swoosh a bit then drain.

works well

E

Thanks everyone for the tips on the water and the Adapt lubricating/deodorizing gel. I did get some samples of the adapt lubricating/deodorizing gel when I got my starter kit from Hollister but have not tried it yet. I will probably try them to see how they work but will probably just stay with swishing it with water. Yes, shell I have been doing the toothpaste like squeeze and it was taking me forever to empty it so I figured that there had to be an easier way Shell, thanks for the tip about keeping a small water bottle with you to fill up in public bathroom (I had thought about what I was going to do if I was in a public bathroom and there was a line waiting and I had to empty my bag and it was thick because I would not want to take forever if other people were waiting to use the bathroom).

Yes, I love the swishing technique, but I usually only did it when I was home.

Oh, and two question for you, Shell.
Do you carry around a little syringe/turkey baster with you along with the water bottle to easily squirt the water in, or do you just pour? If I poured, then I'd would worry that if I didn't 'aim' it right, then I'd make a mess, and that wouldnt be good!!



xo♥,
Win

Hi Winnie,

I really am all for an easy life and whatever is quickest and least complicated is fine by me so I just pour it in. I use a small mineral water bottle which has a screw top so if I'm going somewhere that I think might not have a wash basin (there's plenty really old "hole in the ground" type loos in France for instance) I can fill it up before I leave. I have always used this method, even when I had my loop ileo many moons ago and never worry about spilling. I always sit with the bag between my legs to empty and make sure I have a good grip on the tail of my bag. Even if I do spill a little water it goes down into the loo anyway with sitting in this position.

Shell

Shell & Winnie , I pretty much do the same thing. At home I use an empty Dawn dish soap squirt bottle and when I go out of town I use an empty sport water bottle. I fill it up with water of course.

Thanks Shell, Hope.
Good system you guys got going there, might have to try it if . . . well, thanks again.



xo♥,
Win

I am a swisher and a squirter too. I use a little bottle from the Container Store for on the road emptying.

http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=253&PRODID=61415

They are cheap so I buy like 10 at a time. At home I use a different bottle. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IFBCZO

I got a case of 50 for $20.