HELP! I REALLY need some advice...

[KatieBug1028]

I just had surgery over a week ago, I have a pretty small stoma about 1 inch. Im having a lot of problems finding the right bag, I got sent home with Coloplast 1 piece but the barrier is way too big, then the ones the nurse ordered me are the coloplast 2 piece and the barrier fits fine but the bag does NOT stick to it, at all. Its like a fabric type thing. How long did it take you to find the right bag? Its really stressing me out, ive had to change my bag 4 times in 4 days now due to leaks. My skin cant take it anymore. And what do you use for the irritation around your stoma? From all the leaks ive had, its really raw.

Also, I think I cut my barrier a little to small this last time bc my stoma had swollen up...but when I put a new bag on I cut it a little bigger and the swelling went down...has this happened to you?

 

[mflaum]

See Terriornut's sticky regarding supplies. All the companies will send you samples. I use Hollister and the contact I have spoken with was always helpful.

Your stoma is new and it will go through some changes over the next 2 months. Be patient. I usually cut my flange about an 1/8" larger. Use Eakin seals under the flange if you are not doing so already. They help protect the skin around the stoma.

It will take tone, but things get better. Much better.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Your stoma is new and crazy in the beginning but definitely get supplies from every company to try to see what is best.

Is your stoma an inch high or wide? Are you using barrier wipes to protect the skin and a ring around the stoma to protect from the output?

Ask all the companies to send you a cut to fit barrier so you can measure and cut for yourself. You may also want to try convex barriers if your stoma goes inwards a bit because it will help push it out.

Don't worry I'm 2 months out from surgery and had leaks daily in the beginning. I promise it will get better.

 

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

It is an inch wide, and I have no idea what half of the stuff you guys are talking about even are. I have the barrier rings but don't know how to use them, I tried today and it didn't stick for shit. I did all the calling for samples on Friday. I'm small framed so I'm looking for a small bag with good support. Idk, I just hope this gets easier, bc its really starting to get to me.

 

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

Sorry, I was under my other account. I couldn't member my password and email wasn't working so I made the other one. Lol. Oops. Forgot which one I was under.

 

[UnXmas]

I've just had my stoma a few weeks. I have an excellent stoma nurse and have had no problems. She pre-cut me several bags and gave me a template to cut more of my own, then she saw me a week after I left hospital, and re-measured my stoma, as they apparently shrink a lot when you first get them, and gave me a new template. She's seeing me again in another week to re-measure again.

It's usual for the stoma to change a lot in size and shape when it's new. Do you have a stoma nurse or doctor helping you - did they give you a template so you know what size to cut? My stoma nurse also gave me these skin barrier wipes as my skin is sensitive and was getting sore, not from the stoma output but from where the bag adheres to the skin. They are made by coloplast, who also make my bags and are just called Skin Barrier Wipes.

I've had no leaks. I'm thinking now that perhaps this is at least in part due to having an excellent stoma nurse. I was in hospital a long time with complications from the surgery, and she visited me every day, and every day we practiced emptying and changing the bag and cutting out templates. She also took care of all arrangements so that my next box of supplies, with a new template, were delivered to me as soon as I was out of hospital - I didn't have to do anything by myself. She said the last thing people need when recovering from and operation is worrying about ordering supplies and cutting templates.

 

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

Yes, I have a stoma nurse. She was great, she just ordered me barrier rings that don't work with the bags. I personally like the one pieces, like I said the bags don't stick to the ring at all. It's a fabric type thing. It was small enough to fit my small frame but they just ain't gonna work. I'm gonna call her tomorrow to see what to do. And I have the skin wipes, but they burn my skin.

 

[2thFairy]

There are sting-less skin barrier wipes available if you are still interested in using one. I need a skin barrier because I am sensitive to most adhesives and yet my skin is very sensitive to many of the skin barrier wipes as well.

I am currently using Cavilon No Sting Barrier Film and it works very well for me.

 

[VeganOstomy]

I found the regular wear Coloplast wafers don't have good adhesion, but the Coloplast assura extended wear and sensura xpro are wonderful.

 

[Ang71]

I use a baby nappy rash powder it works better than the stoma powder. And depending how red it is I would try some baby nappy rash cream then apply the powder. Apply powder how you would the stoma powder. As for the right bag I use dansac and I cut it to size & the bag clips on very simple. They have different size bases small up to large.. Good luck

I just had surgery over a week ago, I have a pretty small stoma about 1 inch. Im having a lot of problems finding the right bag, I got sent home with Coloplast 1 piece but the barrier is way too big, then the ones the nurse ordered me are the coloplast 2 piece and the barrier fits fine but the bag does NOT stick to it, at all. Its like a fabric type thing. How long did it take you to find the right bag? Its really stressing me out, ive had to change my bag 4 times in 4 days now due to leaks. My skin cant take it anymore. And what do you use for the irritation around your stoma? From all the leaks ive had, its really raw.

Also, I think I cut my barrier a little to small this last time bc my stoma had swollen up...but when I put a new bag on I cut it a little bigger and the swelling went down...has this happened to you?

 

[Ang71]

Also heating the base with a hair dryer before putting it on helps it stick & I reply heat again after I have put it on.

 

[BowelMeOver]

It is an inch wide, and I have no idea what half of the stuff you guys are talking about even are. I have the barrier rings but don't know how to use them

Some of the terminology can get a little tricky. Here is a wonderful glossary that you should find quite helpful.
http://www.hollister.com/us/ostomy/hcp/tools/glossary.html

Also, if you are reading something here on this forum, many of the key medical terms will be hyperlinked in blue, and if you click on the word, it will take you to a page with an explanation.

This forum also has a wonderful search feature. For example, if you were to type "poor fitting bag" or something similar into the search, you will find past threads with lot's of good information.

Another good source of information is YouTube. You will be surprised at how many helpful "how to" videos are out there from other ostomates.

I think you are doing a fantastic job handling everything, and it really does get better/easier over time. You'll get there.

 

[CrazyCrohnieKatie]

Bowelmeover...Thank you. Im going to check that out. I called my stoma nurse today and she kinda acted mad that the bags she ordered me ain't working. She ordered me the barrier waffers that are for the bags that clip on, but ordered me bags that are sticky not the clip on. It's ridiculous. My skin is so sore and raw, what can I put on it besides stoma powder?

 

[BowelMeOver]

Why not give Coloplast a call directly, and explain that you need the compatible bags and wafers to go with what you've already been delivered (sticky wafers for the sticky bags and clip on wafers for the clip on bags) This way, you have a full set of options to choose from at your disposal, which can always come in handy if you happen to run short. I'm not sure how many of each you've received, but Coloplast can send you a few as samples at least.

You will also need to find a company that offers these supplies and create an account for future orders, as the stoma nurse won't always be available to you once you recover from the surgery. Edgepark and National Rehab are a few user friendly companies.

For most people, using the powder alone will prevent you from getting a good seal on the wafer, and most use the powder in combination with a barrier wipe to perform a crusting method. First sprinkle a little bit of powder over the affected area, then blow off any excess. It's ok to rub some of the powder in using your fingertips. Then wipe over the same area using a barrier wipe, and give it a minute or 2 to dry. Repeat this process once or twice as needed. This will create some soothing protection for your skin as it heals, while not diminishing the ability for the wafer to adhere to your skin. As was mentioned previously, Cavillon Barrier wipes would be best for you, as they don't sting.

 

[Ang71]

Bowelmeover...Thank you. Im going to check that out. I called my stoma nurse today and she kinda acted mad that the bags she ordered me ain't working. She ordered me the barrier waffers that are for the bags that clip on, but ordered me bags that are sticky not the clip on. It's ridiculous. My skin is so sore and raw, what can I put on it besides stoma powder?

I use baby anti rash powder ( curash) and if I'm getting red will also use the cream as well I try and as much cream rubbed in then lightly apply the powder I use a hair dryer to blow off excess and go over the powder again with my finger tips and blow dry again. Then I spray barrier spray over the top and dry with hair dryer setting on all this cool.. Works for me and also every Change clean area and sit in the sun for 5 min then do you bag..
Good luck!