Showering with a Ostomy

[Ita]

Hi guys, I know u can shower with a ostomy but do you have to change the base after every shower... will the water reduce the stickyness of the adhesive... I dont want it to leak!? Please advise me!!

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You shouldn't have to but it probably will make the adhesive a little weaker. I'm going to blow dry the wafer after showers now.

 

[fozheart]

I used to take a quick shower when I changed the base before I put the new one on. Or, I would tape a pice of plastic over it so it would not get wet. I could not stand the feeling of it if I got it wet.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

You could put a shower cap over it and tape down. That's what they do for the IV when you shower in the hospital. I might try that too.

 

[TacoTuesday]

No problems with mine coming loose after a shower, I blow dry the base pretty good after just to be sure.

 

[Samboi]

The shower should not effect the stick of the baseplate.
I've been swimming in the ocean, paddled in my spa, had baths and showered with zero impact on the stoma rigging.

 

[Ita]

Thanks a million every body... I always did a full change after a shower because I was afraid of leakage... But that's brilliant il blow dry the base from now on

 

[nogutsnoglory]

As promised I showered without my bag today, bare stoma exposed. I kind of had to since my bag leaked at night and I woke up partly covered in poop.

I prefer showering without the bag, it let me really clean the stoma and it felt fine. A little flow occurred but I just washed it off right away. I then exited the shower holding a cup to my stoma till I changed the device.

 

[Ita]

I have tried shower without any bag or base but because I am new to this it became very messy when trying to dry myself and do a full change at the same time... But I did shower today with the device, replace the bag after the shower and blow dry the base because I don't want to do a full change until tomorrow... so far so good... so hopefully I won't have any leeks... Thanks to everybody for your advice Do any of you use the convex bases! I've my first convex base on the the moment but when I do my change tommor will I use my stoma barrier ring for extra protection... Also im back to work tomorrow for the first time since the op so I really don't want to get a leek at work...

 

[PsychoJane]

I will just mention one thing and I guess someone could forget and just jump in the shower with the plate and without the bag. That, on the other hand, is really not recommended and would explain all and every subsequent leakage. Just saying as it was brought up by my local supply store that it was one of the main issue that was found to explain perpetual leakage. I was surprise so I thought I could mention in case two-piece system users might have been tempted at some point to shower with the wafer but without the bag.

I found that the only thing that happens with the long extent water exposure is to get the wafer mushy but it does not increase the chance for leaks in my case. It only makes it a bit less aesthetic!

 

[Samboi]

Oh good point PJ.
I either showered with no equipment on, or the whole rig on.
I never showered with baseplate on but no bag.
That does sound like an invitation for leaks.

 

[annawato]

I always shower with my bag on. I use a one piece. I have no problems with adhesion, I just find the sides get mushy and then when they dry get a bit hard so they dig in, so now I cover the edges with brava elastic tape although any tape that keeps the edges dry will do the trick. This stops the mushy sticky sides for me. Jano puts a shower cap over hers but when I tried this it still got wet, I didn't stick it on though since you might as well just tape around the side of the baseplate. Micropore tape like they use in hospitals is great and isn't too bad for the skin. Cheaper than brave tape if you have to but it.
Good luck going back to work Ita, I'm sure all will be fine. Just make sure to take everything you need to change, clean up and change clothes just to be on the safe side.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Someone posted about the stoma cup http://cspouchcovers.com/stoma-cup-p-90.html

I was thinking of purchasing but the truth is its tiny and if the stoma goes that doesn't hold much. If its just a little seapage that will do. I wish they made this longer.

What do you guys think?

 

[annawato]

I know it wouldn't work for me but for those who only have a small or fairly solid output it could work. Also if you know your stoma is quiet at a particular time and are able to shower at the time. I think its easier to just shower with the bag on and tape the sides for me.