I never even thought about changing the bag more often than the wafer. I would have been afraid of all that pulling and messing around would cause the wafer to leak. I also have the same question as sierra barb, if you shower without the bag on, won't the hot water get down in the stoma opening and weaken the seal? And hot baths really won't cause a problem? Boy, I'm on my second loop ileo and I guess I have a lot to learn!!

Erin

So a bump on this one - who can speak to the Erin/Barbara questions of hot shower or hot bath or hot tub weakening the wafer seal? I know Jason hot tubs and Shell showers without the bag but with wafer daily. Opinions? I'd love to get in a hot tub - about 108 degrees sounds perfectly lobstering. Thanks!

Barbara

Hi Erin/Barbara,

I think it helps that my wafer is durahesive rather than stomahesive and it seems the hotter I get the harder the wafer sticks. I couldn't have done this with any other brand (tried them all and had some slide right off!) but Convatec's moldable wafer is brilliant.

As for hot tubs, hot baths and swimming, well I wear a regular lycra swimsuit or lycra panties (if it's just me and/or Frank in the hot tub) and that holds everything securely in place.

Why not try having a really long hot bath at home first to see how your system holds up? At least you'll have everything on hand if it all does float to the surface!

Shell

Neither my bag nor my stoma has ever objected to hot water. I shower once a week without my bag on (when I change - the rest of the week my one piece bag stays on) and esp in winter, have the water at the hottest temp I can stand and it has never damaged my stoma in the slightest.

When I used to get in the hot tub with ostomy I'd just empty it, roll it up, and picture frame it with pink tape. I never had a problem with it. I did it this way because I get in the hot tub sans suit. I think if I'd worn a suit I'd probably not go through the tape thing. Wow! 108 degrees. You like it hot! Ours is 103. I like to stay in for a long time and if it's hotter I have to get out.

Go get in that tub!

kathy

Hello . . . I've had good success with ConvaTecs Sur-Fir Natura 2 piece system with the tupperware-like flange. I'm still kind'a new at this - have only had my ileostomy since mid April, but I am a big fan of the moldable wafer and have had very few leaks - the way it makes a "turtleneck" allows you get a nice snug fit around the stoma. I've mostly been using the drainable pouches that fold over and have the velcro closure, but have have a box of the smaller closed end bags to use at the beach, pool, hot tub etc. It's nice to have the option to make that change without removing the whole sha-bang.