I try to avoid this situation, but every once in awhile I have to change my entire ostomy bag while I’m out. For this reason, I always carry extra supplies with me. Hollister and ConvaTec provided me with supply bags to use on the go when I first had surgery. I still use the ConvaTec one when I’m traveling and need to pack more supplies. I stumbled upon this cute R2-D2 cosmetic bag at Hot Topic over a year ago and decided to try and make it work, and it does.
I always carry enough supplies for two bags, and anytime I’ve had to use my supplies I must remind myself to restock my little bag next time I’m home. I would hate to be out and about and in need of supplies.
A leak out in public is rare, but it happens. When it happens I can typically feel it, like something isn’t right and I might smell it.
The handicap stall is always prime real estate for a public bag change. More space, most of the time there is a sink and you can also utilize the baby changing station if it is available. Other times you have to work with what you got, which may be a very tiny stall.
If you don’t have the luxury of the handicap stall I have found that the best thing to do is to change your bag while sitting on the toilet. This is also a better option just in case your stoma decides to have some output mid bag change, you won’t get your clothes dirty.
When I’m changing my bag in public I get everything ready before I remove the old bag. I need to move fast and not because I’m worried about hogging the bathroom, people waiting will have to chill. I want to get the bag on before I have output and a mess on my hands. If I’m home cleaning my stoma and there is output before I’ve put on the new skin wafer and bag, I have more leisure and cleaning supplies.
On the other hand, you have to be careful about rushing and being careless. If you don’t apply the bag correctly you will have a leak. So hurry up, but don’t hurry up. I’m no help, right? If you’re new to the bag life, you really do get the hang of it. I can change my bag in my sleep now.
Anytime I’ve tried to cheat and do a quick fix, and by a quick fix, I mean using some paste or a piece of a barrier ring to try and fix a leak, I end up regretting it. Just start with a new bag and new wafer. It will take a few more minutes but will save you in the long run.
I purchase air freshener from Bath and Body Works. They have so many scents and the bottles are travel size and fit perfectly in my bag. I always wait for sales and purchase multiple at a time. In my opinion, $7.50 for a little bottle of air freshener is overpriced, but they last and the size is convenient.
Being out in public when you first have a stoma can be nerve-wracking. You are worried that others might notice your bag (they won’t), you are worried about leaks (it could happen, but not as much as you think), you are worried that you will never go out in public again. Take a deep breath. It’s an adjustment, but you will get there. Trust me, I’ve done it twice now.
You will really get to know how long a bag will last without needing a bag change and that way you can change your bag and clean your stoma at home before a leak happens. My skin is very sensitive, if I leave my bag on for more than three days sometimes the skin will get irritated, so I always try to change it on the three-day mark. This prevents skin irritation and public leaks. However, life is messy and not perfect, sometimes shit happens.
