Hi name is Jenn, and I have a temporary illeostomy. It's been working fine I guess. Except for having stitches granulomas in the first month, where the stoma tissue started growing over the sistches. But that's fine now. I'm just not really sure what to do right now in regards to cutting the size for the stoma out of the wafer. The stoma has been 1 1/4 of an inch for the past couple of months; it fit perfectly, and I had no problems! A couple of weeks ago though, I noticed there was a pretty large amount of space betwee the appliance and the stoma. And I know that it's bad to have bare skin exposed like that, because of the risks of skin breakdown. The size 1 1/8 (only possible next size down with the "free appliances" that home care is funding me for) fits perfectly around the base of the stoma, with no skin showing through. The problem is that the stoma is much fatter at the top and the middle than it is at the bottom. It is very difficult to the get the wafer over the stoma. I have been "gently forcing it" for the past few weeks though (using the 1 1/8 inch size. I noticed yesterday that my little stoma is not looking so good. It looks a little bit mutated... for lack of a better word lol. It's bruised and bloody and chafed looking. Also just before the base of the stoma there are some weird looking bumps, that look like the stitches granuloma, but I know it can't be that. Does anyone have any advice? Thanks Smiler

I would never force the wafer over the stoma,

Just measure top to bottom, then side to side to side. draw the pattern on the wafer and cut. My stoma is 7/8" and I use pre cut 1" with eakin seal. very rarely do I have skin problems.

Good Luck

the stoma is very delicate and can bleed very easily. When cleaning just be gentle! Don't worry bout the little bumps around the stoma-the stitches are disappearing and that can happen. As far as sizing up the stoma, you should have a good close fit. I always put stoma powder just around the stoma. By the way, there is a new appliance out there and it is called a turtleneck. They have the econ seal built right in the wafer and will roll up right around the stoma. After trying many bags, none of which were working for me, my ER nurse gave me a sample of this one and it was purfect for me!!

Don't let the skin breakdown. Call your home care service. They are lifesavers

MissBee,

Can your home care provide you with cut-to-fit wafers? I had an oval temp stoma as well and had fitting/leakage issues with the pre-cuts, as there was either gaps on either side or I choked the heck out of the poor guy and bruised him up pretty bad.

Agree with Winnie on the Eakins. Even with the cut-to-fit, I still used an Eakins and never had to deal with another leak, even when the output was watery.

Hi guys,
Thanks for your advice! I am going to see my E.T nurse tomorrow, because my situation has gotten a little worse. Now it looks like there is a gap between the stoma and my skin. Like my skin is falling away from the stoma :S. But I will ask her about these turtle neck appliances! Hopefully she will have some samples, they sound awesome!

oh, and the wafers I have are the cut to fit wafers. It's just that those little circle shaped templates that come with the appliances only come in 1 1/4 size and 1 1/8 size. I never thought of making my own stencils, but I seems like it would work!

Hey guys,

So the E.T nurse gave me a tip for people with "mushroom top stomas" (wider at the top than the bottom) She told me to cut little slits around the circle in the middle of the wafer. Like little rays of sunshine.. as she put it lol. It makes it more flexible, so that it will fit over the stoma at the top, and then the little slits mold back together after. Hope that will help someone!

I use the moldable wafers and have no trouble at all, I hated cutting.