Hollister 2 piece system is a bit easier to snap (IMO) because where the wafer is and the ring where you snap it on they have a clear piece that goes Around the whole ring... You can actually lift it up with your fingers when you snap and it gives you a little extra space. Conv. doesnt have that on their wafers (from the ones I tried)

Scott, I can't believe I never thought of putting the wafer on my pouch before attaching the wafer to me!! I feel a little ditzy right now, that really would eliminate the problem.
Jason, when I had my first ostomy for 3 months I only used Hollister products and remember that about them and liked that. I can't remember why I started with covatec this time and it is funny how I never have changed.
Thanks all!

Kerry,

I've noticed that too... similar to Scott, I put the bag on the wafer but pull it off before I put it on. It loosens up the seal a bit and makes it easier to put on.

And to answer the origional question I go 4 - 5 days. I've gone as long as 8 but the tape does a number on my skin.

OK, Folks, what exactly does an aging wafer look like onthe skin side? I have had so many leaks and problems with eroded skin that I usually only leave the wafer on for two days and change it on the morning of the third before breakfast. In other words, new wafer/bag Sunday a.m., another new wafer/bag on Tuesday. The waxy part starts to whiten by then, but it still seems to adhere pretty well. I would like to move to using the wafer longer if possible, and changing the bag in the middle. Advice? As the wafer ages, does it adhere less well? I've had problems with eroding skin in the past, but right now the turtlenecking wafer seems to do a good job of protecting the skin near my stoma, so I have some reticence about changing the plan. I do use a convex wafer, and used to have leaks at the convexity, but now I know how to stick the thing on well, so that's unusual, and not a problem that's due to the wafer itself not lasting long enough.

I use Shell's system of a coloplast bag and a convatec wafer. Three times in five months I've had seal failures, but maybe that's because I didn't press the bag seal down onto the wafer firmly enough. One of those leaks was due to a way overfilled bag....Now I'm more careful.

Also, when you use a wafer for more than three days, do you all change the bag in the interim? How to do that? Remove it in the shower and then dry the base plate well? What interferes with good adhesion? Yeah, I know about changing before eating in the a.m. Now that things are a little more level, I'd like to move on and focus on the appliance less. Thanks much for whatever advice each of you has!

Barbara

Hi barbara,

I change my bag every morning after my shower. The wafer stays on for 4-5 days. I shower with my bag on unless I'm changing the wafer, in which case I shower as nature intended.

When I take my old bag off after my shower it sometimes leaves a bit of sticky residue so I take a square of toilet tissue and spray it with a little ostomy adhesive remover then wipe around the landing zone (the clear plastic square on the Convatec wafers) and then I wipe again with a fresh piece of tissue to make sure I have got rid of the adhesive remover.

When I apply my new wafer I bend it in half backwards so that it forms a semi circle, then I can see where I'm placing the bottom half. I centre it so that it aligns evenly with the landing zone from the bottom. Then I use a finger to gently smooth around the gasket, making sure there are no creases in it. If there are then I will lift the bag off and re-align it (you can do this several times without it affecting the adhesive). Once it's in place I run my finger firmly around the gasket several times to make sure it is firmly fixed. The lubricant inside the bags makes it easy to do this from the outside.

By using this method I haven't had a leak in over 3.5 years (touching everything wodden within reach here because I know that one day I'll jinx myself! ) and am so confident that I don't even take a spare bag with me uless I'm leaving the island.

I've probably totally confused you now so if there is anything you are unclear about just let me know.

Good Luck.

Shell

Barbara,

The back side of a used wafer is rather disgusting in my opinion. It's all swollen, mushy.

I've gone to using Coloplast Assura® Extra-Extended Wear Adhesive wafers. I am happy to say that getting 5 days is now my norm. I did try to see what was my maximum numbers of days one time, 7 days then a slight leak. This wafer swells up over time to make a good seal with your stoma (kind of like Convatec).

Along with the Assura® EasiClose™ Two-Piece Drainable Pouches. It's been the easiest to clean. Also with it's unique waffer connection. I've been extremely happy.

The only downside is Coloplast's filter system. If you use the same bag for more than one day (Shell changes her bag daily, but some of us don't), it just sucks. I've talked to Coloplast about this and they are looking into changing it.

But I would HIGHLY recommend that you give every manufacturer a call and ask for samples to find what works for you. One product that works for me, maybe a disaster for you. The best part is that the samples are FREE!!!! No shipping costs, no nothing. Also the representatives are generally extremely helpful. Most will follow up with a phone call to make sure got the samples. Then they will call again to see how the samples work. Be honest with them if something didn't work, because they will be willing to send other samples till you find something that works. Don't feel bad if nothing from one manufacturer works out, they know that sometimes their stuff just won't work for one person.

Coloplast:
http://www.us.coloplast.com/

Convatec
http://www.convatec.com/US_en/

Hollister
http://www.hollister.com/us/ostomy/consumer/products/

Just browse around the sites and find the "Request a Sample" link, then call them.

Jason, maybe you'll hop in here. Is that new Hollister a two piece tupper type system?


Thanks much, Shell and Dirk.

I'm still looking for the perfect solution....second leak of the adhesive seal on the bag to the wafer (on Shell's system) in a week. AAGH. At least they've both been at home, but I sure don't feel like I'm able to trust my system. That's why I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong. this time I KNOW I sealed the bag tightly to the convatek wafer.

Of the wafer, I agree, Dirk, the the skin side of the wafer looks disgusting - cottage cheesy. But I can't tell how long it might last except by waiting for a failure. Is there anyway to tell when it's starting to lose its effectiveness? Like, I know the waxy part of the wafer turns white about the second day, but that doesn't seem to be an indicator that it is failing. Everyone seems to go much longer than I do on one wafer, so I must have something to learn! Right now the only thing I can tell is based on my skin's response. If I go more than an every other day change, I get slight skin problems that I don't have with the every other day schedule: redness, bumps, a little bit of erosion right at the base of the stoma, actually underneath the fullest part of the stoma edge. I would like to go longer between changes, even if a few problems result, since it's also hard on the skin to rip the thing off so often. I hate to test by trial and error since that's so messy and potentially embarrassing.

Maybe I need to return to a plastic tupperware type two piece since so frequently it seems a gassy or overfull bag is the problem (and I already empty pretty often, but my output is too liquid - part of being out of balance with hydration/adrenals). I'm infinitely better than I was even six months ago, having this perm ileo, but I'm still very careful about going out, and way too insecure with my system to be living life fully! Thanks for help.

Barbara

Usaully 5-7 days for me too!

Erica

Hi Barbara,

Something that's just occured to me is when you say you are using the same system as me are you wearing a Coloplast bag with your Convatec moldable wafer? I can't remember?

The reason I ask is because I really don't trust the bags that go with Convatec's Esteem Synergy system. They tend to leak at the gasket/coupling no matter how careful I am in applying it.

The Coloplast bags have a double gasket so therefore have double the security. As I've said, I haven't had a leak with this system in 3.5 years. Of course the only way I can combine them is because both systems have the adhesive coupling.

Hope you can figure this out soon.

Take care.

Shell

Yes, it is a 2 piece tupper type system - and loving it! You can always call me and can talk on phone or pm Barbara.

Shell, yep, that's my system, too. I figured if you'd had leaks with all convatek, I'd go with what had worked for you. Is your output pretty soupy? Maybe it doesn't matter if you change your bag daily (since it's the bag seal that's leaking now). The stoma nurse told me early on that more solid waste is easier on the seals.

jason, I think I'll order some Hollister setups today just to try it out, even though I prefer the flatness of the adhesive system. I'm DISGUSTED with the leaks and wanna get on out there with my life! thanks for the p.m.offer - will do it if I am not more successful pretty damn soon!

Barbara

Hi again Barbara,

Yes my output is normally quite thick, so that could be the big difference for you especially if you need to go a few days with the same bag. I have noticed on the odd occasion when I've had watery stools that the first ring on the seal has gone and had it been the Convatec bag I would almost certainly have had a leak to contend with.

I think you are right and the reason it works for me is because I can afford to change my bag every day. I realise just how fortunate we are here that there are no restrictions on how many supplies we go through and we don't have to pay for anything.

I hate to say this but if you need to get more than a couple of days out of your system you may need to swap over to the tupperware type set-up. Is there no way that you can change your bag more often? Perhaps that would help you feel a bit more confident about keeping the wafer on longer too?

You know, 12 years ago when I had my first ileostomy there was no such thing as adhesive coupling so all 2 piece systems had the tupperware type set-up and even then I wore very close fitting stretch jeans and skirts and went on the beach most days in the summer wearing just a swimsuit and I swear that no-one knew I had an ostomy. Honestly, as long as I didn't let the bag fill up too much you really couldn't see anything, not even the coupling ring. I'm pretty sure that I used to use Hollister back then so perhaps Jason's set-up will be better for you too?

Trial and error.... we're all different.

Goood luck.

Shell

I went 4 days then would change it. I once went 5 days but was worried all day about a leak.

I wear a one piece and regularly get 7 days wear before changing. If I'm swimming all the time, then weartime goes down to about 3 - 4 days but that's nothing to worry about.

Typically I can go 6-7 days between changes. Someimes I should change sooner but it takes me awhile to feel a leak as I no longer have sensation directly around my stoma. So if I start leaking my early detection system (itching) doesn't work. I use the Convatec moldable convex system, but I use the tupperware connectors. I tried the adhesive before, but switched to the tupperware as it has belt loops. However, now that I do no wear a belt I could always try switching back. I use half an Eakin seal with my setup and that's it. I do have leaks occasionally. I have a bit of a round belly and I think that encourages leaks sometimes. I try not to fret over them and make sure I always have supplies on me.

This is a completely different story from two years ago. If you check my old posts you will see post after post of daily leaks, burnt skin and a completely frustrated Tricia. Having a stoma revision was the best thing I could have done and life is totally different now and I get along very well with AJ.