2 piece bags

Hello all, I hope you are all well on this fine British morning!!!

Basically, I assume there have been numerous posts about similar topics before BUT I can't be bothered to search so thought I'd start my very own discussion instead!!!

I have always used a 1 piece bag since having my lovely stoma introduced to me but the more and more I get back to my active sporty lifestyle, I was wondering whether I would be better trying a 2 piece bag instead??

I have never been shown a 2 piece system so I have no idea how they work, so I am hoping you lovely people could inform me with your experiences and preferences???

I assume the 2 piece is better for showering/swimming and sport as you can change the bag quicker without having to change the wafer?? On the flip side, I assume a 2 piece is more prone to leaks due to having more vulnerability?? I play football twice a week so will the fast paced game with lots of body movement be a problem for a 2 piece?

Who makes 2 pieces and which ones are better? I use a convex 1 piece so ideally would want another convex style in the 2 piece and are the closed or drainable ones better?

I will probably stick with my 1 piece for normal use but use the 2 piece the days I am playing football or fancy taking my little lad swimming!!

How often do you change the wafer with a 2 piece? I change my 1 piece daily after an eveining shower!!!

So many questions but I'm sure you'll all shine with your informative psots!

I enjoy reading them all

Simon

Never tried one, but my stoma nurse showed me one once in an effort to put me off.........and it worked! Much more bulky, and the extra element of a detachable bag looks risky to me. I would see it as an added risk for physical sports, not the other way around. My stoma nurse said that the two piece is more prevalent in the USA, due to insurance companies demanding longer wear times. Here in the UK we have the luxury of the NHS, and the freedom to use one piece bags. Your prerogative to try it, but I'd stick with one piece mate.

I have used both one and two piece bags, and prefer the two piece. The main reason I like the two piece is because I can snap the bag off anytime I like to get a look at my stoma and see that all is well. I also like being able to burp the bag easily, having the option to change to a clean bag without putting on a new wafer and being able to shower without the bag on without having to remove the wafer.

I do not find the two pieces to be much more bulky than the one pieces and any leaks I have had were not from the place where the bag snaps on to the wafer.

When I change the wafer just depends on my schedule, any skin problems and how the wafer is feeling in general. I go anywhere from 3-6 days usually.

I have tried Convatec, Coloplast and Hollister, and they all worked well. You can get free samples from all of the companies to see what will be best for you. If you call them up and tell them exactly what you're looking for they will help decide which of their products would be best for you to try.

I have to say I find the burping thing a non issue, I prefer to do mine in the bathroom, which is fine with a one piece. At the end of the day it's what is best for the individual, but as I said, I'm led to believe 2 piece is the norm state side due to insurance companies costs. The only real advantage I can see with 2 piece, is it must be a lot easier to see where you're placing it when applying, for that I envy you!

I burp my one piece by undoing the Velcro at the bottom of the bag, tilt the end up with one hand and then gently squeeze the bag from top to bottom with the other hand.... You'll be impressed to know I've even mastered the art of doing this whilst lying down in bed, although the wife wishes I hadn't because the smell alone wakes her up (I blame her for having super nostrils though).
I definitely want to try a 2 piece but I have no idea how to order them as I assume you order the bag separate to the wafer and it doesn't come as a standard complete pair but you can mix an match bags to wafers?

Probiotic said...
I dunno about the insurance cost thing, as I my insurance covers far more bags and wafers than I need- I mean, Enough for a complete change every two days or so vs the 5 or so I wait until changing, so i think it is more a preference stateside for 2 piece. How does one burp a one piece bag without emptying it?

By burping I guess I meant emptying, which I don't mind going to the bathroom and doing to get rid of gas. Like I said, it's an individual thing, there's no right or wrong answer.

I wore a one piece, and then had trouble w/the adhesive, wanted to switch to an extended wear. I only started wearing the two piece because coloplast only makes the xpro one piece in clear, and I wanted opaque. But I have come to like the two piece better. I do burp sometimes, but the main thing I like is that I can easily change the angle of the bag ... makes it much easier to wear the bag angled and inside underwear. My stoma is oval, so it was just too tricky to cut the one piece so that the bag would end up at the angle I wanted.

No issues with leaks (I did start w/a two piece and had an issue right away, but that was inexperience). It does stick out a big more, that's a downside.

I agree with Probiotic. I by no means have to eek out bags because of my insurance. They allot me so many that I could change it every day, sometimes twice a day, and not run out. I don't change that often because it isn't needed and it would kill my skin. If I could ever settle on exactly what my favorite brand/style is...I do plan on ordering as many as I can every month just so I have plenty if an emergency should ever arise. Besides, this year my deductible was all used up by surgery, so supplies are free...that won't be the cast next year, so I might as well take advantage while I can. Hopefully I figure out what I like best and FAST since I only have a couple months left to stock pile...HA!

Every brand has pros and cons, and for just that reason I haven't really been able to pick a favorite. You really just have to get samples and try them all for yourself.

Convatec I like because the seal between the bag and wafer is very secure, but the first couple times you're putting on a new bag you have to press pretty hard to get it on tight. I also like the way the Convatec bags that I use close, folding up and under to hide away the rough edge, but I don't think all their bags do this....just the ones I use.

Hollister I like that the wafer is more thin and flexible and it is a bit easier to snap the bag off and on. Their bags are also less noisy, but I don't like the way the close as well as the Convatec.
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Coloplast has a neat system that "locks" the bag onto the wafer. Some people love it, but I could never really get the hang of it. Their wafers are also nice and thin, less irritating to most peoples skin.

I have also tried CyMed. Their wafers are great, VERY thin and flexible and the whole system is very low profile for a 2 piece. But theirs is an adhesive based 2 piece system, making it less likely that you can change bags on the same wafer. They claim it can be done, but I had trouble having faith that it would work. I really do love their set up in general though.

I feel like I have tried others, but can't think of them right now. You are correct that you order wafers and bags separately and can mix and match to some extent. You have to be sure that the bags you are ordering match the size of the wafers you are ordering. For most wafer sizes, each company offers bags that are closed or open ended, velcro or clip closure, different sizes, see through or opaque, filter or no fliter and some other options. Good luck finding your fave!!

Lol, I really need to try some other brands- I have been using Hollister since day 1 and have no problems whatsoever but seeing how everyone seems to try so many I think I am just being very lazy, lol. Can any Coloplast or Convatec user mention if that system allows you to rotate the bag angle after snapping it on? Not that this bothers me at all, but I was just curious, since that is not the case with Hollister. I need to try summerstorm's technique re the sharp edges on the Hollister velcro end too...

@petal- the main thing when ordering for 2-piece is to make sure the flange size is the same. One does have plenty if choices by and large, apart from that, in mixing and matching from within any oarticular manufacturer.

In the Uk, I use a company called Fittleworth to oder my stoma care, I emailed them today saying that I wanted to try a 2 piece bag and they emailed me back within 10 minutes saying they were sending me a sample of every 2 piece bag they do, which is a lot as they supply every manufacterer for stoma care.... hopefully I'll find 1 I like.

There are two types of hollister pouches- those with a velcro to hold the folded up end secure, and those that use a plastic clamp. The clamp type is semi obsolete and rarely used anymore- but it sounds like those arrived and that they forgot to include the plastic clamps? I got sme kf those once by mistake and dont have a clue how the clamp even works, but I imagineit's very simple just as the velcro is simple. Mine is very secure- never leaks and cant pop open even if the pouch was overfilled.

KC70 - If you are now using a 1 piece and want to try a new 1, then I currently use and love the pelican 1 piece. It also has the deep convexity, it sticks like a dream, you can cut it to size and it also has the clear bag with the opaque cover which has a window opening to see the stoma, it also have a velcro end which folds up and then velcro's to the bottom of the window to make the bag appear even smaller. It is by far the best bag I have ever had and I will continue to use the 1 piece most of the time, I only really want to use the 2 piece when doing sports or going swimming so I can change the bag quickly if needed.