Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ostomy pouch?
An ostomy pouch, which is a specially constructed latex bag, is used to drain human waste after normal methods have been bypassed medically by a surgery for patients having colon problems, such as colon cancer, or urinary problems. An ostomy pouch is a disposable appliance placed in the vicinity of the waistline near the bellybutton and attached to the body at an opening in the body known as a "stoma."
What is the Ostopak™?
Ostopak™ is a cloth cover that reduces some of the difficulties associated with ostomy pouches. The cover provides extra protection and obscures the presence of the pouch, which is a latex bag used to drain a human waste product after normal methods have been bypassed by medically required surgery.
What conditions can require a pouch?
Certain surgical procedures require bypassing the normal human processes of excreting waste products. Conditions requiring this are fairly common resulting from colon cancer and other diseases such as Crohn's disease that require partial or complete removal of the colon or partial removal or dysfunction of the urinary system. After the colon heals a few months later the need for the pouch is often eliminated by a second operation. Other conditions such as paralysis of the lower body may also require such an operation.
What are the most common operations that result in the need for a pouch?
The three most common operations are:
- An ileostomy—an outlet (stoma) from the end of the small intestine
- A colostomy—an outlet from the colon (large intestine)
- A urostomy—an outlet that bypasses the bladder and urethra
What are some of the difficulties with ostomy pouches?
- Though pouches may worn under various types of clothing, wearing them under tighter clothing such as jeans may be problematic. The user may find himself/herself wearing exclusively baggy, long, unattractive clothing outside of the home.
- Family members may find the appearance of the bag disgusting when worn informally around the home in the more comfortable position external to pants. This is especially true for transparent pouches.
- A large percentage of ostomates (i.e., people with ostomies) are not otherwise incapacitated and can participate in sports. During sports activities the pouch is especially vulnerable. If the plastic clip opens, it can lead to unpleasant consequences if not immediately detected.
- During driving, the seatbelt may be placed immediately above the pouch or underneath the pouch, neither position being ideal during a minor accident.
- The ostomy pouch, made of latex, is not comfortable when touching the body directly for extended periods.
- The ostomy pouch becomes heavy as waste is collected causing the user to empty it frequently.
- The weight of ostomy pouch may cause the pouch landing (the attachment to the body at the stoma) to become suddenly detached from the body.
How can Ostopak™ assist using a pouch?
- Covers an ostomy pouch making it less conspicuous without having to tuck the pouch under loose-fitting clothes
- Provides an extra measure of support, especially for ostomy pouches without belts
- Is easy to empty the pouch while still wearing Ostopak™. Just uncover the pouch and empty it
- Provides extra protection in case of pouch failure. A waterproof version is available
- Is adjustable for pouch size and waist size
- Looks good. It's made of quality materials and available in a small number of conservative colors.
How do you empty the pouch while wearing Ostopak™?
Perhaps the most important feature of any pocket/cover is the ease with which an ostomy pouch can be removed from the pocket for emptying. Even if a cover provides excellent protection, if the pouch is difficult to empty especially in a public facility, few people will want to use it except for special occasions. Ostopak™ has been specifically designed to facilitate emptying the pouch and putting it back in place with a minimum of inconvenience. Retaining vertical orientation of the pouch promotes easy flow of waste material as it exits the bag.
After attaching the pocket/cover at the waistline, the ostomy pouch is inserted into the pocket, which is on the inside next to the wearer's body. Use of an internal pocket makes it especially convenient to empty the pouch without having to detach the belt. When the user needs to empty the pouch, it is removed from the pocket, the cover moved out of the way, and the pouch emptied. Emptying the pouch may also be accomplished by removing the ostomy pocket/cover by unbuckling the belt and removing it from the waistline.