Aqua Seal, by Costa Medical. A life-changer for me. It is a flat circular very thin almost film-like texture, with adhesive on one side, and divided paper covers on both sides to assist in getting it in place. First, the faceplate goes on, then the Aqua Seal over the faceplate, beneath the flange. You cut a circle the size of the inner part of the flange where the faceplate flares out to become the flange, and work the Aqua Seal into position below the flange, adhesive side toward your skin. Peel off the paper from the adhesive side first, then slowly remove the paper from the top side, pressing down the adhesive against your faceplate and skin (the Aqua Seal extends beyond the faceplate). The very secure Aqua Seal is waterproof and keeps the edges of the faceplate from peeling up from friction or moisture, allowing you to wear your faceplate until 1) 7-8 days or 2) you experience a breakthrough of waste underneath the faceplate - which the Aqua Seal conveniently keeps away from your clothes until you have a chance to change your appliance.
The extra security has been a lifesaver! I go to work, I go on long walks, I have even gone hiking all day at Cumberland Falls! No muss, no fuss, no anxiety!
For Sandy, give yourself some time! Major abdominal surgery is not something you spring back from in a couple of days with a giggle! I have had 4 in my life, from 2 C-sections to a colon slice and dice for cancer to the final ostomy surgery after a perforated colon. EVERY one has involved a considerable time to readjust the body to living post-surgery. (And with new babies, to boot!) It's one of those things that happen gradually, and you don't realize how far your outlook has come until you look back - you just can't see it at the time it's happening.
A lot is mental. An upbeat attitude, and help and support from those around you can make all the difference between accepting this and going forward and not being able to accept this change to your life. And I think the support system around you can make all the difference in the world.
I wish you the best of luck as you go forward. Remember: if a reconnection is possible, all well and good, and that would be terrific. But if it is not, then it's not the end of the world! You have to make adjustments to your changed circumstances and keep going. You can live the next 30 years of your life reasonably happy and fulfilled, if not with a perfect body (but who among us has a perfect body anyway?), or you can live the next 30 years of your life miserable because you don't have a perfect body. The constant is: you will be living the next 30 years of your life either way. It isn't easy (and I certainly don't want to make light of ANYBODY'S struggles), but YOU have the choice on how you respond to the challenges life throws at you. Whether that challenge is a new baby or a new ostomy.