Patient Education Colorectal Cancer: Your Care and Recovery | Page 48

Types of Systems Two-piece The pouch can be changed while the barrier is left attached to the skin. This is part of a “flange” unit. It includes a closing ring that attaches to a mating piece on the flange — often a pressure-fit snap ring, similar to that used in Tupperware®. One-piece This consists of a skin barrier and a pouch joined together as a single unit. While it is simpler to change, you need to change the skin barrier when you change the pouch, because they are one unit. System Changes The type of pouching system that is used in the hospital may need to be changed as healing occurs. Your stoma may shrink and may need a change in the size of the opening of your pouch. You may also find that you need to change the pouching system after you have recovered and are doing your regular activities. Make an appointment 4 to 6 weeks after surgery with the Mount Carmel Health Wound Care Clinic (614-234-6588) to have your stoma measured and to evaluate your management system. 47