How I Catch Output w/Viva Paper Towels | StomaGenie Option | #Ostomy Tips | See details for more...

When it comes to catching output during bag changes, there's a couple of options that I've seen. Of course if your stoma isn't active at the time, it's so much easier, right? But, in those cases it is...

1) You can wrap your stoma in a paper towel (I use Viva Signature Cloth because its super soft but leaves no residue). I demonstrate in this quick video but there's others out there too, and

2) A "gadget" on the market that is beginning to be carried by more medical suppliers, "StomaGenie". It's a cartridge that you hold against your stoma/skin, and collects output while you prep with the other hand. You can even slide your pre-cut (ready to be applied) skin barrier/flange/wafer (its called all different names in different parts of the world). That totally got my interest. Their website has Vimeo videos that show exactly how to do this: https://stomagienics.com/.

For the last four years, I've used the "paper towel wrap" method when needed. My first choice, is fasting - that significantly slows the output to a manageable level for me.

I was hoping to add the StomaGenie to my routine but unfortunately, due to my stoma prolapsing and bleeding a little bit underneath, I haven't successfully been able to yet. I have tried a couple of times but I will need to wait until my stoma is a bit "calmer". I didn’t want to possibly further irritate it by pressing the cartridge up against it. I do hope to try it again and possibly obtain the SecurPress as well as the stand they now offer, making it "hands free", at some point too.

**SUGGESTION** you might want to order a 1/4" size larger if you think you'll be adapting the cartridge like I tried to (see video). I may just request a larger size before I try again myself. Although I'm not sure if the use of the cartridge to place the wafer on would still fit...I would email or call them before ordering if you have any questions. The people I chatted with were very prompt & helpful at replies. I'd ask for a couple of samples. I had thought I'd be getting some but my order was actually filled so I have 10 right now - well 8, since I tried using twice.

On to my old stand by...

Fortunately, I keep plenty of Viva paper towels - “signature cloth” style - in the house. If you’ve never used them, these are the closest thing to soft cloth material that I found in any paper towels. Not only do they absorb liquid, but wrapping a piece around my stoma also catches any output dribble. And unlike tissues and paper towels or toilet paper, doesn’t leave any residue on the stoma. It is not as enclosed as the StomaGenie, but works for non “projectile” output too. You might have a challenge if it's coming fast and furious. In which case, be near the tub and consider wearing a plastic (maybe a doggie poop) bag just tucked into your undergarments to catch output.

As for where my supplies are? I only have one item left on my order from last month which is a replacement belt. Fortunately I do have belts that are a bit worn but still usable.

Thankfully I’m stocked up now.

But if you found yourself in this position, and your supplies are stuck in this "global supply chain crisis", where is your back up? Sure, there’s other suppliers out there & Amazon is also selling ostomy supplies but there are also other organizations that can help:

-UOAA: https://www.ostomy.org/
-Friends of Ostomates Worldwide (FOW) https://www.fowusa.org/
-your local ostomy group
-your local hospital
-local friends that are ostomates or even online
-local pharmacy (the big chains don’t tend to have them but the smaller mom-and-pop pharmacies often do).
-my current supplier is Edgepark: https://www.edgepark.com/
-Stomagenie is one of the Stomagienics products: https://stomagienics.com
-Viva Signature Cloth Paper Towels found just about everywhere.

Please feel free to share suggestions in the comments for fellow ostomates!

If you’ve found this video to be helpful, please consider liking and subscribing (hit that bell 🔔 too) so that you can get new videos in your feed as soon as they drop AND so that YouTube will share with others it may help too. Thanks!

Karah

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CREDITS:

Videoleap Unlimited app: video editing & audio tracks:

- [x] Intro: "Working Folks V2”
- [x] Body: “Hope For Change”
- [x] Outtro: “Hope For Change”

Canva: miscellaneous graphics, thumbnail

Photos: (myself or my husband via iPhones)

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