There is no set frequency of ostomy pouch changing. An ostomate may have to change a bag three times a day, every other day, every two days, or every five days. This frequency varies from person to person and case to case. However, the general recommendation is to avoid exceeding seven days.

It takes a few days for the stoma to start working after the operation. Initially, the output is a watery liquid with a strong odor. The output may also include blood. However, the consistency of the stool thickens, and the smell settles as the patient continues with a more balanced diet.

The frequency of bag changing depends on the diet and type of ostomy. With the ostomy, an ostomate has to adapt to the new habits and routines to manage fecal and urinary elimination. Ostomates must learn multiple psychomotor to perform tasks like bag changing, ostomy cleaning, and peristomal skin care.

The skill that you need to learn first after the surgery and the one that you are going to need to use more often is emptying your ostomy bag.

The feces are more watery when the stoma starts to work. You will get initial training regarding emptying and changing the pouch from the nursing staff handling your case. Until you are ready to come back home, you should be able to learn the basics of how to manage your ostomy pouching system.

A good approach is to establish a bag changing routine and hold on to it until you figure out when your stoma is more active during a day. Once you know about it, you can readjust your routine.

The best time to change the bag is when your stoma is not active. And while you head to the bathroom for the pouch change, make sure that you have everything in hand to help you with the entire process.

With an ileostomy or colostomy, you are going to have to empty or change your bag when it is one-third to half full.

In the first few weeks after a colostomy surgery, you have to deal with the more unformed stomal output. You might have to empty your pouch 3-4 times per day. This repetition reduces to two times per day when the stool thickens. Once your GI tract starts producing more formed stool, the frequency of its excretion reduces further. That’s when you can consider using a disposable bag because it will take an entire period of 24 hours for the stool to fill the bag by half.

In the first few weeks after ileostomy surgery, you may have to empty your bag 6-8 times a day. The stool will attain the consistency that of toothpaste in a few weeks after the surgery. At that time, you can reduce the frequency of bag changing or emptying to 4-5 times a day.

Whether you have a colostomy or ileostomy, you have to change the flange once every 3-4 days, given the barrier forms a tighter seal with your peristomal skin.