Are Pre-Cut Pouching Systems Worth It?

Some people may want to consider pre-cut pouching systems over time, especially if you get older and the ostomy supplies are ore cumbersome. It also can leave you open for mistakes too. Are there alternatives to cut-to-fit pouching systems? There are, and here, we’ll go over it. 

Pre-Cut Pouching systems 

This is a great one for those that have normal round stomas. A lot of the big companies have different systems that are for pre-cut stomas, usually in both convex and flat styles.They offer a range of different sizes, up to a 2-inch stoma. 

The thing with pre-cut systems though is that the flange needs to be about an eight of an inch bigger than the stoma base. When it’s the same size, or a little bit smaller,  can cause trauma.  This is especially important if you have a convex flange, since they’re firmer than the flatter options for this. Depending pm the needs that you have, your stoma, and the like, this may be an easier option. 

Scissors

If you’re using scissors to cut the stoma opening, switch it out for a flange cutter. They offer cutters that do round or oval shapes, and they’re pretty much cookie cutters, where you cut the indentation into the flange. This is a lot easier to work with, and usually is better if you don’t have the motor skills to handle scissors, but you can use this on surfaces which are solid to make it easier and to reduce damage to this. 

Moldable technology 

This is a newer product, but a good ne to consider for ostomy needs. It’s a barrier that doesn’t need cutting, but instead uses pliable barriers on this, making sure that you get the right shape for the flange. Roll the inner portion of it outside until it’s the size that you need, and when it touches the stoma area, it will stick on there. 

This does create a smaller, softer feeling to the stoma as well, crating a cuff that will enlarge and shrink as well. Unlike the normal barriers that you have, you never have to worry about it possibly coming in place, and it actually will prevent trauma from hitting the stoma too, so it’s better for protection. 

This is only good for those who have a protruding stoma, since it’s hard to stop the rolled outer parts of the barrier from being unraveled. It also is only good for two piece systems, so if you have to like 1 piece3 systems more, this is probably not the right option for you. But, if you’re struggling to figure out whether or not you should use one type of service or another, you should as well ask them about the  best way to handle cutting a flange. 

If you want to use pre-cut stoma flanges, it may be good for you. There are also some stories and pharmacies that offer services for cutting a flange, and these can either be free or for a tiny charge. You can check the supplier that you get all of this from to see if this is the right option for you. 

You also can ask for friends and family to possibly help with this. If you’re in an ostomy support group, don’t be afraid to ask for help there, since there are a lot of people who know how to do it, and these people usually are also good at doing this sort of thing too, offering a better, more rewarding experience for you as well, especially if you struggle with cutting them yourself.