| If you want to live and live well, you need a good | | | | more personal note, its a good idea to have an |
| supplier for supplies. After Ostomy surgery, an | | | | "emergency" stash aside just in case). Most vendors |
| ostomate typically uses whatever ostomy supplies | | | | won't have a problem, but it never hurts to ask for |
| are recommended and given to them by the hospital. | | | | them to carry your product regularly if anything you |
| It's common nurses and hospital staff only use one | | | | use is back-ordered. |
| brand of Ostomy supplies, regardless if this is the | | | | Good Prices - Price is not everything, but Ostomy |
| best solution for that patient. This is due in part to | | | | supplies are a necessity, so finding the best price on |
| the nurse's education in Ostomy products along with | | | | your supplies is always and advantage. Find a provider |
| any insurance coverage for specific brand names. But | | | | that consistently keeps their prices competitive. Many |
| there are many, many vendors of Ostomy | | | | reputable online vendors will offer free shipping |
| appliances, and each person will find that certain | | | | discounts, volume discounts, and/or promotions that |
| products fit their needs more than others. While a | | | | can make your supplies more affordable. Your nurse |
| certain brand given to them may work just fine, it | | | | may also be able to recommend good suppliers for |
| never hurts to experiment with something that could | | | | your particular Ostomy supplies. |
| be a little more convenient and useful. | | | | Wide Selection - If you're a new Ostomate, you |
| Ostomy supplies are sold by medical supply retailers, | | | | should experiment a bit to see what products work |
| online stores, mail order catalogs, and sometimes | | | | best for you. Ostomy is a very individual-specific |
| through local drugstores. Check with your nurse for | | | | condition which is why the product selection is |
| recommendations and with your insurance for | | | | endless. |
| coverage by specific suppliers. | | | | Continue to try products out and keep a log book of |
| Here are some tips to scout out the best supplier for | | | | which ones work best for you. It's important to have |
| your ostomy supplies: | | | | a supplier who can provide you with the variety of |
| Reliability - Do they stock your items regularly? Do | | | | supplies to do this kind of experimentation to find the |
| they have a system in place to ensure a regular | | | | ideal ostomy system for you. |
| supply of products when you need them? (On a | | | | |