Hello everybody. I just had my second surgery to build my J-pouch about 5 weeks ago and my stoma is so small and nearly flat to my skin that I have had a few leaks and have to change my bag every other day lately. I have been using the moldable wafer convatex bags that you cut and then either use an eakins or paste with success but this time around with my tiny stoma it has been difficult. With the Eakins m Stoma is lost way way down in a hole and I get leaks, with paste it soesn't seem as bad, I have even tried no paste.

Bottom line is that my skin below my Stoma is red and I have had two leaks and I feel like a prisoner in my own home as this Loop Illeo runs like an open spicket and I am fearful of leaks.

I need to order new bags - Anyone have any suggestions on what to do or if I should change products?

Thanks in advance.

I'll add I am precisely 24 days from my takedown surgery.

I know what you mean about being afraid to leave home for fear of leaks. Are you using a convex wafer? They help to push the stoma opening above the skin to prevent leaks.

If you're currently using a convex Convatec wafer, you might want to try a Hollister New Image convex or a Coloplast SenSura convex wafer. Those have worked the best for my flush-with-the-skin stoma.

I would ordinarily say to request samples from the manufacturers, but with only 24 days to go, it might take too long to get the samples. Is there a stoma nurse you could request a few samples from?

Good luck;I hope you find a good system soon.

Anjuli

Anjuli's convex wafer suggesion is good advice. The engineering of the convex wafer should help with your issue.

Before you get some stock do a daily change and give your skin a better chance to heal. Try using very little paste and flatten with a few drops of water in to any dips you might have.

I battled leaks for 16 years. Get out the house with a little preparation. Pack a backpack with a change of clothes, wet wipes, a small towel and some plastic bags to put soiled clothes in.

If you do have a leak in public you'll sense it a few minutes before something might become visible through your clothes (wear dark colors) - If it happens deal with it - Starbucks and McDonalds become beacons of hope and pit stops to check if everything is okay.

Keep smiling, things are definately going to get better.

Dan

TJB,

Twentyfour days is waaay too long to be housebound and worrying about leaks. If you have a regular supplier of ostomy products, call them and explain the situation. Usually they are compassionate listeners, well-trained to help you find the right solution, and when you ask for what you want (in this case, some new supplies to try out), usually they are willing to ship a sample overnight. Byram Healthcare does this regularly for me. In the Hollister New Image line, I've finally found what works for me: a convex wafer for a concave belly & flush stoma edge. Be persistent, speak to a nurse at your durable goods supplier or to a local ostomy nurse and get some things to try out!

Best of luck in this temporary grim state!

Barbara

TJB,
My 8 week old son has an ileostomy and we have had trouble with it leaking.

The best that we found was Hollister New image Flextend wafers with a floating flange bag.

They are designed for an ileostomy and a urostomy (more liquid)

We are doing very well with them. They even make a convex one.

I add an eakins ring for good measure, but you may not be able to do that with yours.

Good luck

Hi TJB,

You've had some excellent suggestions above.

The only thing I can think of is that if you like the Convatec moldable wafers then you should try their convex version. I swear by them and have never (touch wood) had a leak in the 4 years that I have been using them.

Good luck

Shell

This is very similar to what I experienced with the loop. I ended up using the Convatec Stomahesive wafers. They are very thick material. I would use a lot of paste and reinforce the edges with tape. I got to the point that I could get them to hold up for about 48hrs. I was pretty much house bound through the Christmas holiday’s, but still the end result is worth it. Hang in there.

I have the same problem!!! I have two suggestions not mentioned so far.

1) Try a belt. It helped me a little bit. It hooks to the bag, and it helps hold the wafer extra tight against my belly.

2) For going out: I found these thins online called sure seals http://www.medicalsuppliesshop.com/product.cfm/hurl/Ost...NG-SMALL-RS0110.html

They work for me because if I do start to have a leak, it keeps it all in until I can get to a bathroom or home. Once it held a leak at bay during a four hour car ride. My skin wasn't happy with the mess undernesth, but it saved me a ton of embarrassment that time. Also, I like them because they keep the tape and wafer dry in the shower.

I hope something helps! I can go about three or four days now before a leak. I can deal with that until my takedown!