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Wonderful idea for keeping bag dry while showering!

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Posted 11/9/2006 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I live in Minnesota and HATE having a soaking wet bag after my shower in the winter, it's such a hassle to get it dried off enough not to be uncomfortable when I have to go out afterwards.

I discovered what I assume was an unplanned use for a normal household product tongue which has solved my problem!

I was experimenting with various products one day, and discovered that Glad Press n'Seal wrap sticks to skin...

...so I take a piece of that, wide enough to go across my abdomen from one side of my bag to the other side of my scar, and long enough to cover from over my belly button, on down. I fold my empty bag up on itself, then press down the top line of the wrap all the way across my abdomen, down over the bag, and on either side of the bag down to my pubic area (since I don't shave there, it won't stick, but it still hangs down well below the folded up bag, so the water just runs off.) If I want to, I can press it further down on the side that goes down towards my leg, opposite the pubic area.

I love this, I only wish there were a way to get the stuff to stick repeatedly, but it won't.
Posted 11/9/2006 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Oh Meilandra,

I love that idea, I'm from the UK so dont know what our alternative to that product is...I'll have to do some research. Sounds like a fab idea though. I always have to change my bag after having a shower!

Thanks for posting it.

Smiles
Posted 11/9/2006 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Meilandra, great idea. I'm also from Minnesota. I just get wet and use a hair dryer to dry bag. This would help if I'm in a hurry.Thanks, Westcoast Joe
Posted 11/13/2006 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
I use a ziploc bag.
1. Turn the ziploc bag upside down so the zipper opening is at the bottom, 2. make a hole at the top of the bag large enough for the plastic ring on your pouch to fit through,
3. fold your pouch up enough to fit inside the bag, insert your pouch in the bag and snap it on to the flange.
4. close the zipper fastener on the bottom of the bag and lather up.

A little bit of water may get in through the hole but it's not much. If the bag is not a heavy plastic try and catch the edges around the hole when you are snapping on the pouch so they are snapped in with the pouch, that will ensure nothing gets in. Taping around the edges of the hole will also work. After your shower just let the bag dry and it's ready to use again and again.
Posted 11/14/2006 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
My 9 month old colostomy stoma gets washed everytime I get in the shower - I never leave the bag on.  The flange of my 2 piece gets soaked, but I dry it with a hairdryer when I get out of the shower and it hasn't affected wear time.  Highlight of my week is change day when I remove both bag And! flange before bathing.

More constantly producing ileos are harder to control, but I understand a handful of marshmallows 15 minutes before getting into the shower will slow output considerably ... at least long enough for a shower. 

Good Luck!  :-)

Posted 11/19/2006 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
I've had an ostomy for 17 tears and I know a wet pouch can sometimes be uncomfortable. But I prefer a wet clean pouch over a dry (not necessarily clean) one anyday. You realy should bath your pouch(it's part of you now) as part of your daily personal hygiene regimen.

Posted 11/23/2006 4:58 AM (GMT 0)
Wow I am gonna try the press and seal. I have always replaced my pouch and flange on every shower. Because of this I only take a shower every 2 - 3 days, doing a sponge bath between. This would be great. Thanka for the idea.
smiley I would be happy to send you some if you can not find it there. Click on my email and send me your address if you want me too.
Posted 2/12/2007 7:26 PM (GMT 0)
Meilandra - I bought Saran Wrap and it didn't work - will try and find the Glad Press and Seal because I'm really getting tired of the tape residue on my skin!
Posted 2/12/2007 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I put a shower cap over my bag and use a thin hair bobble to keep it in place. I doesn't keep all the water out, but I find it a lot easier than changing my bag every time I shower :o)
Posted 2/14/2007 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
i just hit the bag and the flange with a hairdryer until they're dry. takes 5 mins after a shower. i like to clean the exterior of the bag while i'm in the shower, i mean most likely the bag exterior would get bacteria on it off your hands, so why not try to stay as germ free as possible? that's my reasoning anyway...but you're talking to someone who cleans his kitchen with antimicrobial wipes, ha!

--matt
Posted 3/9/2007 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
I finally tried the Glad Press N Seal and it works like a charm! I don't have a problem with the area around the bag opening (or anywhere else on the bag) getting particularly soiled so I prefer to keep it as dry as possible. Thanks for the suggestion!
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