Hello everybody - I am almost three weeks post op from having my Colon removed and I am adjusting to bag life (can I call it that?). I don't know all the lingo, tricks of the trade or anything like that. I got my free stuff from the hospital and it had this Eakins seal in it, I read about it and it sounds like it may be better than just cutting and using the paste. I've had no problems but it just seems like it will seal around my stoma better.

I assume you just work it into place around your stoma, cut your bag fairly close (I think I am a little shy of a 1 3/4" right now) and just apply your bag? Walla?

Any other tips on emptying etc would be great as well.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Also, th clips we ordered are these cheapie plastic ones and I got two of these rubberized ones that feel much more durable. Input on the bag clips wuld be grea as well.

These may seem minor but I just want to be informed and prepared...

You are right on how to use hte Eakin...just stretch it to fit and place it around your stoma before you put the wafer on. I don't use paste at all, just Eakin and wafer.

As for clips, the rubberized ones you mention are great, never had an issue. Did you know there are also velcro close bags? I don't care for them but lots of people do...

Use the united ostomy assoc link to find a myriad of tips. I found of lot of useful info under their discussion link which dealt with ostomies/clothing, etc. Also, Shell, Jill, and many other people here are wonderful resources.

Well I used the Eakins this morning and I think I do prefer it over the paste, we'll see how it holds up over the next couple days.

Thanks again - this site is making this transition so much easier for me.

Eakins are great-just made a full week with my 'rig'. Probably could have gotten another day or 2 if I needed to
Last week I tried a Hollister ring they sent as a a sample-had a leak-NG. I dislike paste as well, I use cement-PermType brand, stays on, comes off in shower very easily/well

I'd look at JasonPa posts, Shell's and some of mine for step by step processes.
I am very active and have, through trial & error, gotten to a good place/minimal discomfort, longevity, etc.

Good luck/good health

I like velcro, no clips to lose or break. I never used eakin seals but lots of people like them. I use the moldable durahesive by convatec.

I'm the same as Don, I didn't get on with the eakin seals and in any case find I don't need any pastes or seals with Convatec's moldable wafer.

I wear the 2 piece with the adhesive coupling because they are almost as descrete as a one piece. However, I team up Coloplast's Easiflex bags with Convatec's Esteem Synergy wafers because I don't like the bags that go with the Convatec set up.

I am also a huge fan of the velcro closure and Coloplast bags have a hide-away outlet that just looks like a closed end bag when folded up. Again, like Don I prefer this type of closure to the clips. I had a habit of losing the clips down the loo and I had a couple of accidents where the clip sprung open with my first ileo so was very glad that they had been invented by the time I had Wee Willie (my end ileostomy).

Good luck and take care.

Shell

I'd like to second (or fourth) the velcro closure bags. No more fumbling around with hard to manage clips for me! And less chance of odor, I think.

Good call on the eakin seals- I just found out about them and love them! They don't work for everyone, but when they work, they work!