Urostomy Bags
What is a Urostomy?
A urostomy is the surgical creation of an artificial opening, or stoma, to divert the natural flow of urinary waste from the body.
After urostomy surgery, urine will pass through a newly created tube and out of the stoma. Urine will be collected by a urostomy bag going forward. Ostomates with a urostomy may also need other urostomy supplies, urostomy bags, and accessories.
Despite needing some new ostomy supplies to accompany their urostomy, people can go back to their normal lives after healing from their urostomy surgery.
Why Do I Need a Urostomy?
In a healthy and fully functioning urinary system, kidneys process the body’s waste. Then they excrete urine. Next, ureters collect the urine and send it to the bladder. Finally, the bladder works to hold urine until it’s time to release. However, when one part or all parts of this system are non-functioning or diseased, a urostomy may be a medically necessary surgery to save a life or restore one’s quality of life.
Various reasons contribute to why someone may require a urostomy. For example, if someone has bladder cancer, a doctor may determine that the solution is to remove part of or all of the bladder, which is known as a cystectomy. Severe incontinence or neurogenic bladders can sometimes lead to having a urostomy as a solution.
Other potential causes of needing a urostomy may include:
- Spinal cord injury
- Spina bifida
- Severe chronic infections
- Ureter blockage
- Bladder cancer
- Bladder reconstruction surgery
What Happens After Urostomy Surgery?
Adjusting to living with a urostomy can take some time. Immediately after urostomy surgery, you will need time to recover and heal.
In addition to getting used to wearing a urostomy pouch (also known as a urostomy bag) and practicing proper peristomal skincare, you may also go through some emotional changes.
Sometimes, it can feel isolating or stressful when you don’t know anyone who also has an ostomy. However, you are not alone, and living with an ostomy doesn’t have to feel embarrassing. Around 1,000,000 Americans also have ostomies (ileostomy, colostomy, or urostomy). Many people with ostomies live normal lives and still work, go to school, and travel.
Also, you can still be active after urostomy surgery (once your doctor gives you the green light to do so). You might be surprised to hear some of the adventures our customers with urostomies get to experience.
Want more detailed information about your urostomy and what to expect after urostomy surgery? Take a look at this helpful guide provided by Convatec, Living With Confidence after Urostomy Surgery.
Where to Get Home-Delivered Urostomy Supplies
Of course, once you have a urostomy, you’ll need urostomy supplies, such as urostomy bags, skin barriers, adhesive remover wipes, and more. This is all to collect your urine and keep your peristomal skin (the skin around your new stoma) healthy.
180 Medical is a trusted provider that specializes in ostomy supplies and intermittent catheters for customers all across the United States.
We’re known for our top-notch customer service that doesn’t stop at your first order. We’re here for you, and we’re always glad to help if you need to change something in your urostomy supply orders. We want to ensure you are using the right urostomy bag for your specific needs.
Additionally, 180 Medical customers have access to a team of certified WOCNs (Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses) for any questions or concerns about your ostomy.
We’d love to help you take your next step toward better health by helping you find just the right urostomy products for your unique needs. Contact our Ostomy Specialists today.
