Choosing your appliance
One important thing to know is that there are different types of appliances available depending on your stoma and your preferences. Once you know how to handle your appliance properly, you will be given the opportunity to choose the type of pouch you will use daily.
One of the first decisions you need to make is choosing between a 1-piece system and 2-piece system.
One-piece & two-piece system
One-piece system
In the case of a one-piece system, the skin protector and the pouch are bounded together. People using this type of system must change their appliance every day.
Two-piece system
For a two-piece system, the base plate and the pouch are separated, before being attached together with a coupling system. With such a system the base plate is kept on the skin for a few days, whilst the pouch is changed when needed. This system can be quite useful for people with sensitive skin.
Transparent or beige pouches or pouches with split cover
You will have to choose between using a beige or a transparent pouch. A transparent pouch allows you to see your stoma more easily, the beige one is more discret.
Most people prefer using a transparent pouch at the hospital before switching to a beige one once at home.
If you wish to have both, discretion and the possibility of seeing your stoma when needed, you can choose also our split cover pouches, which are beige pouches with an inspection window.
This inspection window allows the visual control of both stoma and output.
Availability may vary depending on the product range.
Pre-cut or cut-to-fit skin protector & base plate
You will have to see if you prefer using a pre-cut pouch or a cut-to-fit one, where you can cut the skin protector/ base plate fitting it to the shape and size of your stoma.
- Cut-to-fit skin protector or base plate: Cut the skin protector or base plate to adapt it to your stoma.
- Pre-Cut skin protector or base plate: Ready to apply!
Convex or flat skin protector & base plate
Depending on your stoma, your choice will be a flat skin protector/ base plate or a convex one. Convex skin protectors are recommended for patients with flush or retracted stomas to avoid leakages. The convex skin protectors/base plates ensure an optimum pressure distribution.
Once you have decided which system you prefer, you will have different product ranges to choose from that best fits your need regarding your type of stoma.
