HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How do you empty your bag?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/26/2010 12:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey!

So I was out at the shops the other day and it got me thinking... How do other people empty there bags?

I was in hospital after my surgery for a little over a month. While I was in the hospital I emptied the bag into a jug in my bathroom, so I was standing up.

Now that I am at home I sit on the toilet 'normally' and just open up my legs and empty it through the gap.

But sometimes when I go to a public toilet some nice person has decided to pee all over the seat! (I've seen poo on seats too). Now obviously I just go to the next cubical But I remember countless times before I got my bag where I'd be in a hurry to use the toilet and have to clean the toilet as fast as possible so I could use it. But now that I have a bag I thought it'd be nice if there was a way to empty my bag without even having to touch the toilet seats.....
Posted 3/26/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Some people can stand.
I just sit there and do it like im peeing.
Posted 3/26/2010 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
I got to dislike public washrooms when Crohn's forced me into them every hour of the day if I went out. Now I still don't like them much and try to avoid them if possible.

If I have to I'll move or clean up before I sit and do it with wide legs.
Posted 3/26/2010 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Wow I wonder how people do it standing up. Good shots I guess :p
Posted 3/27/2010 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I agree! I do it sitting, just after I pee...standing would be ridiculous and annoying. However, I think for girls it's a no-brainer that you'd do it that way. It's probably really only guys who have to make the decision.
Posted 3/27/2010 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
My first time emptying it by myself in the hospital was the one and only time standing. I had not received much instruction at that point.

You talk about one having good AIM if standing. The operative word to think about is SPLASH!!!!!!!!! Like I said, tried that only once.

I've since had the reversal so it's in the past for me. However, if I were in a situation where the facility was absolutely horrible and had to stand, I'd empty into one of those brown disposable bags they provide with the other supplies.

Additionally, try to empty when it's no more than a third full. Even if you should go very active, you should have enough time for a Plan B.
Posted 3/27/2010 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
someone posted that they kneeled in front of the toilet and emptied

Here is something to help with public toilets though, also helps with the smell

You know those breath spray things, like fresh breath or whatever? they are small and you pump them and a mist comes out. Well, if you take those with you to the bathroom, it will fit inyour pocket. And spray it before you empty, the smell wont be so bad, PLUS they have alochol in them, so if you spray it on the seat and then wipe it off it will help disenfect the seat!
Posted 3/27/2010 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
That is such a great idea....thanks summerstorm
Posted 3/27/2010 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
just be sure you spray it before you use the bathroom! otherwise it doesnt work as well, and you would have to use it with dirty hands!
Posted 3/28/2010 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
"....Now that I am at home I sit on the toilet 'normally' and just open up my legs and empty it through the gap....."

That's pretty much how it works.

"...If I tried to empty standing it would splash and that would be unthinkable....." Nope, I'm not a bombardier..

Also keep 2 20oz cups.. McDonalds soda cups work especially well for this. both full of water First one I use to flush out the .. substance.. that's still in the bag, 2d one then rinses it out. When I'm in a public rest room, try to carry on in there with me that is kept in the car somewhere. Just take it in fill the cup with water and then flush out the bag
Posted 3/29/2010 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Well, at home I sit but in a public restroom (where I don't ever sit to pee) I stand and bend my knees. For me the trick is not to pull my pants down...I just unzip my pants to get access to my ostomy pouch.

Another trick which not everyone is told in the hospital...put plenty of TP in the bowl! Will help with the splashing:)
Posted 4/8/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I crouch down in front of the public toilet and empty that way. That way nothing touches the toilet, and nothing but my feet touch the floor.
Posted 4/8/2010 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
I used to carry bleach wipes in a plastic bag with my supplies in case I came in contact with a nasty seat.
Posted 4/8/2010 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I stand to empty. Oscar pancakes his goodies so I wear a closed pouch.

-Allie
Posted 4/12/2010 1:06 AM (GMT 0)
I always sit. One problem that I have overcome........poop sticking to the front of the toilet bowl even after you flush. To solve this, tear off a strip of toilet paper two squares long. Drop one end into the water and drape the other end on the front of the bowl. Empty onto the paper. When you flush everything goes in one flush.

Dan
Posted 4/15/2010 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
Ha interesting subject!

As a girl i just crouch over the loo wihtout actually sitting - it is unbelievable what mess you find on some loo seats - argh. but is is hard work and i hate it in small loos cause of hte smell - even with a spray etc.

my nurse told me when i first got my bag that if i stood up to empty, i should throw a lot of paper down the loo first - so you could always do that.  what fun we have tongue

Posted 4/15/2010 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Actually I remember my nurse told me the same thing (about putting a lot of toilet paper into the bowl) but she only said it was for the noise. I didn't quite understand as I wasn't too bothered as to what it sounded like when i emptied.

But now that kinda makes more sense...
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply