Colostomy: Changing Your Pouch

You were given a stoma (new opening for stool to pass from the body) during surgery. Stool starts to pass from the stoma soon after surgery. That means you'll need to learn how to change your pouch before you go home. A drainable pouch needs to be changed usually every 5-7 days. To change your pouch, follow the steps below. Start by gathering what you'll need:

1. Remove the Used Pouch

• If you use a drainable pouch, empty it first. Sit on or next to the toilet. Set the clamp aside.

• Start at the upper edge of the skin barrier. Carefully push the skin away from the skin barrier with one hand. Slowly peel back the skin barrier with the other hand.

• Peel all the way around the skin barrier until the pouch comes off.

• Seal the pouch in a plastic bag. Then put it in a second plastic bag. Throw it away in a trash bin.

2. Clean Around the Stoma

• Wipe any stool off the skin around the stoma with toilet paper.

• Clean the skin with warm water and a soft washcloth. Wash right up to the edge of the stoma. Pat the skin dry with a clean towel.

• If needed, put on extra skin protection, such as moisture barrier paste, cream, or powder.

3. Put On the New Pouch

• If you don't use a pouch with a precut skin barrier, size and cut the opening (1/16 inch bigger than the stoma) and peel the backing off the skin barrier. Carefully place it over the stoma.

• If you use a two-piece pouch, snap the pouch onto the barrier. Start at the bottom and work your fingers around the flange.

• Press the barrier against the skin with your hand over the barrier and hold it in place for 45 seconds. This molds the barrier to your skin.

• If you use a drainable pouch, clamp the tail.