Advice and Tools
For every step of your Ostomy Journey
SASS aims to advocate and align the standard of Stoma care and services across South Africa which will be applicable to both the private and public sectors.
Ostomy Care
Tips and Tricks
The South African Society of Stomates (SASS) is a Non-profit organization formed by Ostomates across Southern Africa to facilitate a “holistic” approach to ostomy patient care by bridging the gap between the private and public sectors whilst advocating for the rights of fellow ostomates throughout the country.
SASS VALUE STATEMENT
SASS is dedicated to advocating for the rights and well-being of ostomates across South Africa. We strive to bridge the gap between private and public healthcare sectors, ensuring that all ostomates receive the highest standard of care.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive support, education, and resources to empower ostomates and their families, helping them navigate their new normal with confidence and dignity. By collaborating closely with clinicians and healthcare professionals, we ensure that our community receives expert care and guidance.
Aligning with global standards set by The International Ostomy Association (IOA), we aim to foster a community where every ostomate feels supported, informed, and valued.
Featured Topics
For Living with a Colostomy, Ileostomy or Urostomy
Help us achieve
What we set out to achieve with YOUR help
GET EDUCATED
Medically reviewed surgery-specific information. Making sure you have access to the best possible care. Ostomy pouch management tips, diet & nutrition, skincare, sexuality, travel tips and more!
FEEL SUPPORTED
Support to you & your family whilst you transition into your new normal. You will have access to a local peer support group, where you can get answers to questions, or connect with our Facebook community.
BE AN ADVOCATE
We aim to advocate the standard of Stoma care across private and public sectors, whilst aligning with the global standards set out by The International Ostomy Association (IOA).
Not all stoma pouches are the same. Let’s talk about what makes a urostomy pouch unique.
A urostomy pouching system is specially designed for urine, and it’s not interchangeable with colostomy or ileostomy pouches.
Here’s why:
🔹 Drainable tap outlet
Urostomy pouches come with a tap at the bottom for easy and frequent emptying—ideal for liquid output.
🔹 Anti-reflux valve
This internal valve prevents urine from flowing backward toward the stoma, reducing the risk of skin damage and infection.
🔹 Night drainage compatibility
Urostomy systems can connect to a night bag, so you can sleep through without needing to wake up to empty the pouch.
🔹 One-piece and two-piece options
Just like other stoma pouch types, you can choose between a one-piece or two-piece system—based on your skin, comfort, and lifestyle.
🚫 Important: Urostomy pouches are not interchangeable with colostomy or ileostomy pouches.
Each system is designed for a specific type of output—urine, stool, or high-output liquid—and using the wrong pouch can lead to leaks, skin issues, and complications.
👉 When in doubt, always check with your stoma nurse before switching products.
#UrostomyCare #KnowYourPouch #StomaSupport #OstomyAwareness #SASSouthAfrica #StomaEducation #StrongerTogether #PouchingConfidence #UrostomyAnatomy
Image credit to ostomy.org
Let’s talk intimacy — without shame, without fear.
For many women with an ostomy, getting back to a fulfilling sex life can feel daunting. But the right tools and honest conversations can change everything.
💡 Here are some tips:
✨ Empty your pouch beforehand
✨ Secure it with tape, a cummerbund, or crotchless underwear
✨ Try discreet pouches like stoma caps
✨ Explore different positions together
Bleeding from friction can happen — it’s not dangerous. So take the pressure off, talk it through, and rediscover connection on your own terms.
#OstomyAndIntimacy #OstomyConfidence #StomaCare #WomensHealth #StrongerTogether #OstomateVoices #BodyPositivity #StomaSupport #LoveAfterSurgery #SASScommunity
Getting back to intimacy takes time — and confidence. Learn tips to reduce discomfort and manage your ostomy pouch discreetly. For women especially, these simple changes can help ease anxiety and bring joy back into your relationship.
Closed vs Drainable – What’s Right for You?
It’s not just how your pouch attaches – it’s also how it empties. Let’s talk output.
Your stoma output will influence whether you use a:
🔸 Closed pouch – for firmer output (usually colostomies)
🔸 Drainable pouch – for loose or frequent output (common with ileostomies)
Your pouch type should match your stoma type, lifestyle, and daily needs.
Not sure?
Your stoma nurse can guide you to the best fit.
Follow us for more
#DrainOrToss #StomaOutput101 #PersonalizedCare #OstomyEducation #sassupport
Image credit - UOAA Ostomy.org
🎤 SASS Elevates the Patient Voice in Gauteng 🌟
Across the week, @heather.white.50159 carried the stories and concerns of the stoma patient community into meaningful dialogue at workshops in Roodepoort (19 August), Benoni (20 August), and Pretoria (21 August). Her thoughtful contributions reminded healthcare professionals, procurement leaders, and fellow advocates that dignity, empathy, and genuine access must always shape quality stoma care.
Too often, patient voices are overshadowed—or dismissed as “too emotional”—as conversations are steered toward predefined agendas rather than lived realities. Making decisions for patients, without listening to patients, is simply not acceptable.
Why the Patient Voice Matters:
This week, the Gauteng High Court delivered a powerful affirmation of that truth. In an urgent ruling, the Court ordered the Gauteng Department of Health to immediately comply with directives on radiation oncology services, despite its pending appeal. The judgment recognised that cancer patients “do not have the luxury of time” — with delays risking irreversible harm, metastasis, and death. This ruling, welcomed by Section27 and the Cancer Alliance, is a landmark moment that protects the rights to life, dignity, and meaningful access to healthcare. It is a reminder that when patients speak out, change is not just possible — it is necessary.
We are deeply thankful to the organizations who value and elevate patient voices rather than muting them. This week, we especially acknowledge @coloplastza & OMS Medical, who partnered with SASS to create platforms where patients can be heard and solutions can be shaped around real needs.
Together, we’re not just discussing change — we’re driving it. 💙
#StomaCare #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareEquity #SASSImpact #OstomyAwareness #PatientVoice #GautengWorkshops
Two-Piece Systems – Flexibility Meets Function
Want to change your pouch without removing the adhesive? A two-piece system gives you that freedom.
In a two-piece pouching system, the adhesive barrier stays on your skin while the pouch can be changed separately.
✅ Great for sensitive skin
✅ Easier pouch changes
⚠ Slightly bulkier and may take some getting used to
Ideal for: Those who prefer to change pouches more often without irritating their skin.
Follow us for more
#TwoPieceSystem #StomaLiving #SkinCareMatters #OstomyOptions #strongertogether
Image credit - UOAA Ostomy.org
Many women with a stoma face unique challenges around body image, intimacy, and self-worth.
But here’s the truth:
🌸 You are not alone.
🌸 You are still whole.
🌸 And you have the right to feel confident in your skin.
This Women’s Month, we’re creating space for open, honest conversations about living beautifully and boldly — with a stoma.
#StillMe #WomensMonth2025 #BodyConfidence #OstomyAwareness #EmpoweredWomen
“When do I tell them about my ostomy?”
It’s one of the biggest questions for anyone navigating dating after surgery.
But here’s the truth:
👉 You decide when to share
👉 You decide how much to say
👉 And the right person? They’ll be curious, not cruel.
Your stoma doesn`t define your desirability — your heart, your humor, your humanity do.
#OstomyDating #StomaConfidence #OstomyAwareness #StrongerTogether #OstomateVoices #SASScommunity #DatingWithADifference #BodyPositivity #SelfWorth #YouChoose
Talking about your ostomy in a new relationship can feel scary — but you are in control. You decide when and how to share, and the right person will be open, curious, and kind.
💪 Ostomates — CAN LIFT! 💪
Through our Ostomates on the Move program, we’re building strength, confidence, and the skills to move through life — functionally fit, every day.
From squats to supermans, each move teaches us to breathe, brace, and live fully — with stability, power, and heart health. 🏋️♀️💙
Because life after stoma surgery is about thriving, not just surviving.
#OstomatesCanLift #OstomatesOnTheMove #SASS #StrongerTogether #FunctionalFitness #LifeWithAStoma #InvisibleDisabilitiesVisibleSupport #StomaStrong #MoveWithConfidence
SASS Blog
What has been happening at SASS
Restoring Dignity Through Partnership & Education
SASS and Helen Joseph Hospital Lead the Way in Stoma Care In April and May 2025, the South African Society of Stomates (SASS) partnered with Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH) in Johannesburg for a multi-day capacity-building initiative aimed at improving stoma care services in the public health system. What started as a workshop quickly became a […]
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