Perhaps the most recognizable part of your ostomy system, the pouch collects your stoma’s output. A pouch should be emptied or replaced when it is one-third to one-half full. A full pouch can pull away from the barrier or skin due to the added weight and can also cause bulging under your clothes.

Also called a 'wafer', your skin barrier is the piece of the pouching system that sticks to your body. It holds your pouch in place and should help protect the skin around your stoma from damage. It should fit snugly around your stoma to help prevent leakage and have an opening customized to your unique size and shape.

A one-piece ostomy system is where the skin barrier and pouch are manufactured together as one system and cannot be separated. One-piece systems can offer more discretion and flexibility for a variety of situations like exercise or other physical activities.

A two-piece ostomy system is where the skin barrier and the pouch are manufactured separately and can be applied to your body individually or together. With this option, the pouch can be removed to be changed or emptied without removing the skin barrier.

Do you have specific questions about what ostomy products might be right for you? Contact our me+ support team made up of ostomy nurses and product specialists, to find the ostomy system that is right for you. Call them at 1-800-465-6302, Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm ET.