My SIL just had her j-pouch surgery and there was not enough small intestines to correctly make the stoma and there is a lot of irritation around the site.

Any advice for her on how to keep the site from getting so sore? She is to the point that she doesn't eat because it hurts so bad. My MIL recommended vasoline, but I was wondering if Neosporin or something would be better?

Anyone go through this and if so how did you get through (it will be 3 mo until her next surgery)

TIA!
Angie

What is she using around the stoma? Paste or a gasket? I had a lot of irritation and found the only thing that helped was to use an eakon gasket to push up the stoma. Unfortunately using neosporin or something like that makes it difficult for the pouch to stay on.
I went to a dermatologist at one point when battling with my irriated skin and they were able to give me something to help although I don't remember what it was. She may want to go to a dermatologist and see what they could do.
I never had and easy time with my stoma site. I feel her pain

Definitely make sure she is using convex wafers because these will pop a short stoma out farther. She can also try an ostomy belt. I would think vaseline is a definite no - would promote leaks - and neosporin probably isn't much better. You want someting that is specifically made to work with ostomy products. Some folks use ilex around the stoma. Can she see an ET nurse for other suggestions?

-Kenadi

Thanks for the quick responses! I will call her this afternoon and ask those questions.

She did try asking the nurse, but they basically told her there was nothing they could do and she would have to deal with it

I used stomahesive powder and stomahesive paste to help the wafer stick and it did help a bit with the irritation. I use to leak 4 or 5 times a day and boy did it get irritated. I also used Convex Durahesive Wafers. They gave me Hollister in the hospital and I had a terrible time with those.

Also the belt really helps especially if you are having trouble. Tell her it does get better. I was at my wits end the first few weeks and then it became 2nd hand.

Also when she gets home and she is more comfortable I use to take hot showers with the wafer off (on changing day). It tremendously helped irritation.

If she calls her insurance company (or has the hospital call) typically you can have a visiting nurse come a couple of times a week to help her change the wafer and show her all the tricks. I had to pay a co payment each time she came (I think it was $20) but it was so worth it. She was so attentive and it was helpful having a nurse at your own house showing you how to deal with this very foreign, very scary appliance that quite frankly you never have imagined you would have to deal with. After a few weeks I didn't need her anymore and was changing the appliance one handed. I wish her the best. LEt us know if you need additional info.

Thanksw.

Kim

I am so sad to hear that. After my operation I had the same problem for 1 month. It was really terrible and I don't want to remember those hell days. I did not have such a pain because of my operation but this inadaptable bag hurts me so much. It irritates my skin so much. After lots of pain, they used the convex one. It was great then. And also it did not stick to my body and they used their adhesive product with belt. I was the solution. I know how she feels. I am sure with these precautions she will be ok! Do not afraid.