After the bag is empty, it can be disconnected. Some people leave the bag there, but roll it up and place it under their clothing. When the dialysate is in the abdomen, wastes and excess water pass from the tiny blood vessels in the peritoneal membrane into the dialysate. The person can move around freely and perform most daily activities. Afterward, the bag is again connected to the catheter and lowered below the abdomen.
Gravity now makes the dialysate containing waste products drain out.
Once the bag is full, it is discarded. Then a new container of dialysate is connected, and the process is repeated. An exchange, which includes draining the solution and adding new dialysate, takes about 45 minutes. Usually the dialysate remains in the abdomen 4 to 6 hours before being exchanged. At night, the dialysate is left in for about 8 hours.