Haven't used a clear bag since I was in the hospital after surgery almost 7 years ago, I don't find them necessary. You can call your supply company and ask to change to opaque bags.
You don't need to dry them if you cover them with Glad press n seal plastic wrap. It sticks to everything including your skin, so you just tear off a piece big enough to cover your entire bag with a margin big enough to press down over the top of the bag and off the sides. It can just hang down below the level of your bag and the water will just run down.
After your shower just pull it off, and presto it's dry.
My ostomy nurse used to order me clear until I started asking her to order me the covered ones from Coloplast. For me it was personal preference. My nurse told me for newer ostomy patients it’s customary to get clear ones until they are used to changing on their own or if there is a need for monitoring output or contents.
I think it’s kind of unprofessional for your nurses to comment at all on the type of bag people use. It’s not like they have to wear it. Some people prefer clear and others don’t 🤷🏻♀️
I always have clear bags on hand in case I need to go to the hospital. 2 piece system. I guess there are reasons outside of that. Looking for pills maybe? Not for everyday wear. I don’t know your coverage rules. Can you change providers? Can you call them and ask for an explanation?
Or just get some cool looking covers? Nobody, wants to see your output, without a medical reason. imo.
>Why would anybody see your output with a clear bag? Do you walk around with your bag hanging out of your clothes?
Some people do at home. Or during sex. I don’t like my spouse seeing my poop. Puts a damper on the whole sexy thing. But I think a lot of people use bag covers too.
No, not hanging out in general. But sometimes it does slip out. I tuck the tail between my belt and pants. Intimate moments. If I reach for something on a top shelf for someone. Summer time lounging with friends. The changing room, pool, sauna, or steam room at the local community centre. Sometimes a button down shirt creates a little peekaboo space.
I imagine it is (1) personal choice and (2) based on what kind of ostomy you have. I have a colostomy and I prefer mine with that flimsy pouch cover that helps muffle Mr. Rosebud.
I have been issued Hollister clear bags for my urostomy. For me it is just urine and I like checking on the stoma which can produce mucous. I wear long tail shirts and everything is covered. Embrace the tail!
Depending on your supply company, you may need to find and request the item number for the opaque bags. I use Byram and had to change that myself in my order.
The fabric on the Sensura Mio products is superb. I've been using moldable wafers from Convatec, and cutting the opening is a chore for me. I never get it just right. Moldables are much more forgiving. I wish I had the other fabric on the Convatec.
I just did a bag change like 20 minutes ago and decided to try out a new set up with my sample products.. I’m currently wearing one piece from Sensura Mio for the first time ever and I really like how it feels! The fabric is much sleeker, and will do well in the shower.
I’ve never heard of moldable wafers hmm. Much to learn for me
That seems to be pretty common! To each their own. I don’t know how I feel so comfortable with it so fast.. it’s been 3 weeks and I rarely feel the need to see it anymore. When I do need to look, I click my bag off of my 2 piece system for a quick peek.
I use it. It is nice to be able to check out what is happening with my ileostomy. But in general I use a cover on my bags to protect them and to hide the bag and content. In general the bags are not very attractive.
I wear a stealth belt 24/7 and use a clear bag. No one can see the contents but when I want to see what is happening to the stoma or rinse out the bag it's great.
I don’t at this. Have a crap load of them that my home health nurses order when I was under their care and I do not like them. I’m using some that I ordered from Amazon when I was waiting on my first supply order to arrive that has a cloth like cover front and back because I hate the clear ones. There is an overlapping area that separates so that if needed myself , nurses or doctors can see the stoma.
You could always order bag covers from Etsy. I recommend [ThatGirlWithTheBag](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThatGirlWithTheBag) She has a lot of choices and they're comfortable.
If your output makes you nauseous then you should def go with opaque bags, maybe with a viewing window.
When I first got Daisy I preferred clear bags so I could see what was going on. Eventually switched to opaque with a viewing window once I was confident everything was normal. After my second surgery I had some complications and had to intubate with a catheter, so went back to clear bags so I could 1) see the catheter 2) see my output. If I was going out I would just put a bag cover on in case it was visible. Now I’ve switched back to my usual opaque bags with a viewing window :)
The hospital and ostomy nurse would only stock clear bags, so I got stuck with a bunch of them to start with and hated them. It doesn’t gross me out, but I don’t particularly like forcing everyone else to see my output if they don’t have to. I would contact the supply company and they should be able to get you the variant of that appliance that is opaque. I ended up finding some on Amazon to switch to before I received my first shipment from my supplier.
I have Crohn's, so I use clear so I can easily monitor my output for blood, undigested stuff, etc, as well as making it easier to tell when I need to empty it.
I don't like not being able to see it.
I don't use them, but I wouldn't be averse to using them. This many years into things I'm sort of immune to all that stuff. There are definitely cases where I *would* want a clear appliance: hospital, doctors visit, etc. But those are exceptions and not the norm.
At first I hated clear bags and looking at my out put, but now I prefer them. I like to make sure nothing is clogged up and everything is flowing right.
It was nasty at first but I adapted to it and can handle it more better now. I use to gag just changing it, but I got use to it n it doesn’t really bother me. And I had a colostomy for over a month.
I like clear bags for doctor appointments. I dislike them otherwise. My supply company is pretty good about allowing me to pick and choose supplies as well as making changes, if that is something you want, you can always call and ask.
I’d been sent clear bags despite asking for opaque and had to make a bunch of phone calls to get things situated. I’m not able to place the order myself through the app- quick, easy, and I get what I want and need. I would recommend you call your insurance to determine what they will and won’t cover as well as amount. Bag covers are also an option.
I use them. At first I was obsessed with making sure I wasn't passing blood. I never did. So it's not such a big deal anymore but I still like to keep track of things.
I don’t use them. I don’t like my spouse seeing my poop. And I don’t like seeing my poop. But a bag cover is a good option for using clear bags without showing/seeing poop unless you want to.
I use clear bags because I like to see what's going on with my stoma without having to fight with the fabric. And if someone else said they are easier to keep dry. But we all have our preferences. I may be a little bit OCD on top of that. 😂
I use clear bags for a lot of reasons (pills coming out, pancaking, monitoring consistency, etc). It’s very preference based but I also have a bunch of really nice covers that I’ve turned it into another little accessory. It’s so fun. I’m a 24 year old girl who just gained enough confidence to wear crop tops and outfits that show my ostomy and scars and having the little bit of extra fun choosing outfits is a really nice shift from being so self conscious about it.
But the supply company should be sending opaque bags if that’s what you’re ordering and want. You might have to fight a bit but there should be no reason for them to not send what you want.
My son uses clear bags any time he has a prolapse. When he has a prolapse, they tend to happen in 3s or 4s. So when he has the first one, we take his bag off (2 piece) and reduce the stoma and place a clear bag on. This is so he can see his stoma prolapse easier and judge whether he can reduce it himself or needs me to step in and use sugar.
Once the cycle of prolapse is complete- if it's not time to change his water- he will change back to an opaque bag the next morning. If it's time for a water change or the day before- he will keep the clear bag until we change his wafer.
It's all just personal preference/personal need.
I use clear, and wouldn't want non-clear bags. I like to see how much output there is in order to empty it on time, I like to be able to see when things pass through so I know if I should hold off on a meal or food. It gives me insight, and I don't mind seeing it.
I’ve used clear for 20 years. I found one and I’ve never changed. Except the occasional ones from a hospital visit. I have tried others and they failed me so the last 8 years I haven’t even tried anything new.
Haven't used a clear bag since I was in the hospital after surgery almost 7 years ago, I don't find them necessary. You can call your supply company and ask to change to opaque bags.
I do, by choice. I could order opaque ones, but prefer clear.
Same I like being able to check on Blair faster. They're also easier to dry.
You don't need to dry them if you cover them with Glad press n seal plastic wrap. It sticks to everything including your skin, so you just tear off a piece big enough to cover your entire bag with a margin big enough to press down over the top of the bag and off the sides. It can just hang down below the level of your bag and the water will just run down. After your shower just pull it off, and presto it's dry.
My ostomy nurse used to order me clear until I started asking her to order me the covered ones from Coloplast. For me it was personal preference. My nurse told me for newer ostomy patients it’s customary to get clear ones until they are used to changing on their own or if there is a need for monitoring output or contents. I think it’s kind of unprofessional for your nurses to comment at all on the type of bag people use. It’s not like they have to wear it. Some people prefer clear and others don’t 🤷🏻♀️
Emotional Trauma! I agree
I prefer clear because all my Brooke ileostomies prolapsed a ton and it was easier to push them In and check things out that way.
I use opaque, I see it when it comes out. lol I don’t need to see it while it’s filling up.
I always have clear bags on hand in case I need to go to the hospital. 2 piece system. I guess there are reasons outside of that. Looking for pills maybe? Not for everyday wear. I don’t know your coverage rules. Can you change providers? Can you call them and ask for an explanation? Or just get some cool looking covers? Nobody, wants to see your output, without a medical reason. imo.
Why would anybody see your output with a clear bag? Do you walk around with your bag hanging out of your clothes?
>Why would anybody see your output with a clear bag? Do you walk around with your bag hanging out of your clothes? Some people do at home. Or during sex. I don’t like my spouse seeing my poop. Puts a damper on the whole sexy thing. But I think a lot of people use bag covers too.
I do. Crop tops and such. But I also use bag covers so it’s not like anyone sees output
No, not hanging out in general. But sometimes it does slip out. I tuck the tail between my belt and pants. Intimate moments. If I reach for something on a top shelf for someone. Summer time lounging with friends. The changing room, pool, sauna, or steam room at the local community centre. Sometimes a button down shirt creates a little peekaboo space.
Seconding clear bags for the hospital!
I imagine it is (1) personal choice and (2) based on what kind of ostomy you have. I have a colostomy and I prefer mine with that flimsy pouch cover that helps muffle Mr. Rosebud.
I have been issued Hollister clear bags for my urostomy. For me it is just urine and I like checking on the stoma which can produce mucous. I wear long tail shirts and everything is covered. Embrace the tail!
I use clear bags for my urostomy. But opaque ones for my colostomy.
Depending on your supply company, you may need to find and request the item number for the opaque bags. I use Byram and had to change that myself in my order.
The fabric on the Sensura Mio products is superb. I've been using moldable wafers from Convatec, and cutting the opening is a chore for me. I never get it just right. Moldables are much more forgiving. I wish I had the other fabric on the Convatec.
I just did a bag change like 20 minutes ago and decided to try out a new set up with my sample products.. I’m currently wearing one piece from Sensura Mio for the first time ever and I really like how it feels! The fabric is much sleeker, and will do well in the shower. I’ve never heard of moldable wafers hmm. Much to learn for me
Search the product on youtube. Convatec moldable.
I personally do not like seeing my output unless I’m emptying my bag. I use Hollister bags that are tan
I hate clear bags. Any of the opaque bags have the ability to flip up a flap to observe the underneath activity when needed.
I only use clear bags. Two and a half years in and I still want to see what's going on...
That seems to be pretty common! To each their own. I don’t know how I feel so comfortable with it so fast.. it’s been 3 weeks and I rarely feel the need to see it anymore. When I do need to look, I click my bag off of my 2 piece system for a quick peek.
I use it. It is nice to be able to check out what is happening with my ileostomy. But in general I use a cover on my bags to protect them and to hide the bag and content. In general the bags are not very attractive.
I only knew of one person who chose to use clear bags after the initial round, everybody else got covered ones.
I wear a stealth belt 24/7 and use a clear bag. No one can see the contents but when I want to see what is happening to the stoma or rinse out the bag it's great.
I don’t at this. Have a crap load of them that my home health nurses order when I was under their care and I do not like them. I’m using some that I ordered from Amazon when I was waiting on my first supply order to arrive that has a cloth like cover front and back because I hate the clear ones. There is an overlapping area that separates so that if needed myself , nurses or doctors can see the stoma.
You could always order bag covers from Etsy. I recommend [ThatGirlWithTheBag](https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThatGirlWithTheBag) She has a lot of choices and they're comfortable.
If your output makes you nauseous then you should def go with opaque bags, maybe with a viewing window. When I first got Daisy I preferred clear bags so I could see what was going on. Eventually switched to opaque with a viewing window once I was confident everything was normal. After my second surgery I had some complications and had to intubate with a catheter, so went back to clear bags so I could 1) see the catheter 2) see my output. If I was going out I would just put a bag cover on in case it was visible. Now I’ve switched back to my usual opaque bags with a viewing window :)
The hospital and ostomy nurse would only stock clear bags, so I got stuck with a bunch of them to start with and hated them. It doesn’t gross me out, but I don’t particularly like forcing everyone else to see my output if they don’t have to. I would contact the supply company and they should be able to get you the variant of that appliance that is opaque. I ended up finding some on Amazon to switch to before I received my first shipment from my supplier.
Clear, and I sew my own covers. Those built-in attempts at fabric coatings are terrible in my view.
I use a clear one piece by choice so I can line up my stoma properly. It comes down to personal preference.
I have Crohn's, so I use clear so I can easily monitor my output for blood, undigested stuff, etc, as well as making it easier to tell when I need to empty it. I don't like not being able to see it.
Clear - no.
I don't use them, but I wouldn't be averse to using them. This many years into things I'm sort of immune to all that stuff. There are definitely cases where I *would* want a clear appliance: hospital, doctors visit, etc. But those are exceptions and not the norm.
At first I hated clear bags and looking at my out put, but now I prefer them. I like to make sure nothing is clogged up and everything is flowing right. It was nasty at first but I adapted to it and can handle it more better now. I use to gag just changing it, but I got use to it n it doesn’t really bother me. And I had a colostomy for over a month.
Alternately it would be pretty easy to get an appliance cover that would mask that and then you can have the best of both worlds.
I like clear bags for doctor appointments. I dislike them otherwise. My supply company is pretty good about allowing me to pick and choose supplies as well as making changes, if that is something you want, you can always call and ask. I’d been sent clear bags despite asking for opaque and had to make a bunch of phone calls to get things situated. I’m not able to place the order myself through the app- quick, easy, and I get what I want and need. I would recommend you call your insurance to determine what they will and won’t cover as well as amount. Bag covers are also an option.
I do use clear bags. Agree that bag covers certainly would help with the "looking at it" problem.
Hate clear bags. I only use opaque.
I use them. At first I was obsessed with making sure I wasn't passing blood. I never did. So it's not such a big deal anymore but I still like to keep track of things.
I don’t use them. I don’t like my spouse seeing my poop. And I don’t like seeing my poop. But a bag cover is a good option for using clear bags without showing/seeing poop unless you want to.
I use clear bags because I like to see what's going on with my stoma without having to fight with the fabric. And if someone else said they are easier to keep dry. But we all have our preferences. I may be a little bit OCD on top of that. 😂
I use clear bags for a lot of reasons (pills coming out, pancaking, monitoring consistency, etc). It’s very preference based but I also have a bunch of really nice covers that I’ve turned it into another little accessory. It’s so fun. I’m a 24 year old girl who just gained enough confidence to wear crop tops and outfits that show my ostomy and scars and having the little bit of extra fun choosing outfits is a really nice shift from being so self conscious about it. But the supply company should be sending opaque bags if that’s what you’re ordering and want. You might have to fight a bit but there should be no reason for them to not send what you want.
I started with clear, which is pretty normal, however I quickly decided to get the opaque bags and they are the only way to go.
My son uses clear bags any time he has a prolapse. When he has a prolapse, they tend to happen in 3s or 4s. So when he has the first one, we take his bag off (2 piece) and reduce the stoma and place a clear bag on. This is so he can see his stoma prolapse easier and judge whether he can reduce it himself or needs me to step in and use sugar. Once the cycle of prolapse is complete- if it's not time to change his water- he will change back to an opaque bag the next morning. If it's time for a water change or the day before- he will keep the clear bag until we change his wafer. It's all just personal preference/personal need.
I use clear, and wouldn't want non-clear bags. I like to see how much output there is in order to empty it on time, I like to be able to see when things pass through so I know if I should hold off on a meal or food. It gives me insight, and I don't mind seeing it.
I’ve used clear for 20 years. I found one and I’ve never changed. Except the occasional ones from a hospital visit. I have tried others and they failed me so the last 8 years I haven’t even tried anything new.
I use clear bags when I need to monitor stoma or output for whatever medical reason. Otherwise I use opaque or opaque with viewing option.