Hey everyone, hope all is well with all of you fellow Chronies and Colitis-ites(?). A little background info on my UC:I had my entire colon taken out in Dec 06 (faced many post surgery complications) and now have a j-pouch and an ostomy bag probably/hopefully until early April 07. I have 2 questions for anyone who has or has had a bag.
Did any of you have problems with the bag leaking on the third or fourth day after changing it? I try to change bags ever three or four days but it seems I usually run into a leaking problem because of where my bag is located. The tape from the bag doesnt stick on the left side becasue its so close to my belly button and so whenever I move it comes off. Ive tried taping it more and using skin barrier. Nothing seems to work. Im using a 2 piece bag with paste on the wafer and an outter square of tape. Anyone else have this problem or any suggestions?
My second question is about the ostomy bag belt. Have any of you used this and had success with it? I was just wondering how exactly the belt worked and if it is worth it to get one for when I go back to work (as a server) and school. Do they really help or do you have any other suggesstions? Thanks all, respect.

First, for the non-sticking part, try putting some skin cement on it just on the area that won't stay stuck. Put it on your skin and on the wafer/tape. Blow on it and then stick it down. Sort of like rubber cement. I used Osto-bond. You need adhesive remover to get it off though.

About the bag...YES! Try one. They hold things down and take some pressure off of the wafer and tape.

Keep us posted. You might want to post in the Ostomy Forum. You'll probably get more responses.

Take care...Lori

I was having leaks in the belly button area and use rings and fill up my belly button with paste and that seems to help. I also started wearing a belt during the day, I can't seem to sleep with it. It helps with the weight of the bag pulling.

Have you tried putting Adapt paste around the ring on your ostomy bag? It's kind of like caulking the area.

I haven't had to use a belt.

I used a belt with some success. The most helpful thing was getting the right supplies. It seems that most of the manufacturers have a few levels of supplies. Some wafers are stickier and stronger which helps them to hold up against our highly liquid ileostomy output. In my case, when I switched from "Flexwear" to "Flextend" things improved a lot. Speak to your ET about trying some of the other possibilities.

I had the same problems! Mine would start leaking within hours. I used the belt which really helped hold everything together. Also after we put the new bag on I would lay on the be without moving around for about an hour to make sure that everything would really dry and stick.

CARRIE

Occasionally the white tape starts to lift on my wafer near my belly button/s if I haven't made sure to wipe the no sting barrier into all the nooks and crannies. When that happens I secure it with a little Hytape (pink tape) and I'm good to go till I'm ready to change my wafer again. The actual barrier part of the wafer has never lifted before I need to change it so even if the tape isn't secure I know I won't spring a leak, it just stops it from sitting flat to my stomach.

At the risk of repeating myself (again!) I still swear by good quality close fitting lycra underwear for keeping everything nice and secure!

Shell

I used a bag with a (presized) convex "seal" that fit the shape of my stomach better than the flat variety. Also, as you lose/gain weight, the fit changes.
jim

Hey guys(and ladies), thank you all so much for your advice and support. I have taken into account all the info you all have shared with me and have expeiremnted with new things. Ive noticed that if I change my bag after showering, it comes off easier and seems to get the skin around my stoma a bit cleaner. I do this every 3rd or 4th day supewr early in the morning so that I can go back to bed and not move to much for a few hours, giving me a more secure fit. Lastly I did purchase a belt, and as uncomfortable as it is, it has truly been a huge help. I look forward to still trying new things you all have mentioned and anxiously await March 26th so I can find out when my reversal will be. Thanks again!

quote:

Did any of you have problems with the bag leaking on the third or fourth day after changing it?

In the 17 months my son had an ostomy, a bag rarely lasted more than 3-4 days total--and I tried everything. So if your're getting 3-4 days wear, that may be as good as it gets.