The United Colon Vlog

This video really kicked off the idea of UCVlog.com in the first place. At the time, the only videos demonstrating how to change an ostomy appliance were sterile, professionally made ones from ostomy companies. These videos, I feel, lack any emotion or character behind them. How was I supposed to connect with a faceless and nameless stomach with a stoma? I’m sure all the people in these professional videos have great stories about their ostomies, but I never got to hear them.

So I made my own video. This video, along with the Emptying Ostomy Pouch video have been super popular on this site. This video, and Part 2 have generated lots of comments. Unfortunately, you need a YouTube account to view Part 2, since I show my bare stoma and you need to verify that you are over 18 to view it. Only about a fifth of the people who watched Part 1 ever saw Part 2, so if you don’t have an account now is the time to sign up and finish watching the video!

Many ostomates have mentioned that they change their pouch differently, or that my way is inefficient. Maybe so. I just want to be honest with you, this is how I changed my appliance for 6 months. Though over time, I got much faster, and sometimes I skipped the steps in these videos or didn’t use all the accessories I mention.

And while this video is geared toward ileostomies, much of the procedure is similar for colostomies. Though the shape and placement of your stoma will necessarily change how you do some of this.

If you are facing surgery, know that this is just one way of changing an ostomy appliance. There’s no right or wrong way. With experimentation, and trial and error, you will find a way that works best for you.

Keep fighting,
~Dennis

Question: How do you change your appliance? Do you do anything different? Respond so others can hear your tricks!