The main aids to stoma patients are DISC and BAG that is placed onto a disc and get emptied. Additional aids are a belt, creams and ointments for the daily care of stoma, powders, lotions, wet tissues. The main aids can be divided into single ones (where a disc and a bag are attached) and separate ones (where a disc and a bag are separate).
All patients, no matter if with ileostoma, kolostoma or urostoma use SAME DISCS. (There are special discs for the stoma which was performed underneath the surface of the stomach). Depending on stoma type we use different bags. Patients with kolostoma (large intestine - left side, even though exceptions are possible) use closed bags. Patients with ileostoma (small intestine, right side - exceptions are possible) use bags with openings in order to have excretion of liquid feaces in an easier way. Patients with urostoma use bags with the pipe for catheter.
With ileo and /or kolostoma exceptions can be made as far as usage of the type of the bags is concerned.
In a post surgical period the patients need to consult a doctor who will address him to a board of surgeons who will, taking into consideration your results, decide and allow stoma aids. For permanent stoma you need to renew your allowance once a year, for temporary stoma you need to do it every six months.

Our market offers 4 different Stoma aids producers:

"ConvaTek" 38; 45; 57; 70 mm
"Coloplast" 40; 50; 60 mm
"Dansek" 43; 55; 80 mm
"B-Braun" 40; 50; 60; 80 mm

These sizes are trademark of the producers, but for us patients, the difference of a couple of millimeters is almost none. (This is the space is filled with urine and feaces).
The importance lays in the difference of quality of the disc and the bag. Some patients become allergic on some of the products from one particular maker, and we suggest immediate change of the product. One of the products does not necessarily have to be good for some patients, but on the other hand might be just the right one for someone else. There is definitely a difference between all 4 products, but we all have different shape of stoma, metabolism, skin, scar tissue, so we strongly advise you to try all four different programs and choose the one that suits you the best.
In all our cities there is one pharmacy where you can get your stoma aids. Patients insured via Military
Health Insurance, get their stoma aids at certain private pharmacies. You can receive relevant information with your representative who is giving you a stamp on your medical receipt.
In Belgrade the patients get their stoma aids in "Mr. Milan Zivkovic", Mekenzie Street 47, Ph. 3086 - 795 as well as "Balkan" pharmacy, Balkanska Street 30, Ph. 305 - 5899.
NHS has enabled us from June 1st 2006 to receive higher number of stoma aids, and has made our lives
more comfortable ones.
Our monthly allowances (which we have to make use of, since they can not be transferred to the next month) 10 discs (ileostoma, kolostoma, urostoma)
60 bags (ileostoma, kolostoma)
30 bags for urostoma or 30 single bags (stomadres)
Yearly - for each product you need a receipt from your chosen GP 4 creams - for the care of damaged skin
- once a month 2 ointments - to fill in the scars and uneven parts - once a month 1 elastic band with opening for stoma (there are 4 different sizes, Velcro closure, you need to cut the opening).

Stoma aids history