Frustrated with Barrier Rings and Considering Switching to One-Piece

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Hisbiscus
Sep 11, 2024 12:12 am

It sounds like maybe your ostomy area may not be cleaned well enough, or you may have gotten lotion or conditioner on the area. When you clean the area, use Dial White or Ivory. First, use adhesive remover wipes, making sure you get all buildup of adhesive and barrier wipes off. Barrier wipes tend to build up, which is why I no longer use them. After removing the adhesive, take a soapy wet paper towel or washcloth and clean up the area, then wipe with plain water a few times with more paper towels or another clean washcloth. Pat dry. Put your barrier ring around the hole on the bag instead of around your stoma, making sure it's exactly on the edges of the hole of the bag. If you don't like Brava rings, Hollister makes Adapt and Cera rings that are much better. Also, is your stoma flat, or does it stick out in your bag? If your stoma is flush or flat, you will need a bag with convexity.

Be careful about anything like hand lotion or conditioners getting on your stoma area. It will cause the bags to leak or loosen your seal.

I stopped using barrier wipes as I found they are not needed unless I get irritated; then I might use Cavilon until I clear up. I use a one-piece bag, and I like it much better.

MsPriss
Sep 11, 2024 12:07 pm

Thanks for the reply, how quickly we learn. Turns out it was the Brava moldable ring that I didn’t care for, not barrier rings in general.

I prefer to put the ring around my stoma, so I can ensure all the skin is covered.

I was (at the time of this post) only changing in the shower, so washing thoroughly with soap. 

I’m actually trying a sample of the Hollister Cera Ring right now! I 

Posted by: w30bob

Hi gang,

I was thinking what a great resource this site has been for me since I found it. It would have been really helpful, but maybe a bit scary, to have found it before my ostomy, but that's water under the bridge. But I got thinking about it, and now I'm questioning why doctors and hospitals don't provide this site's contact info to any patient even considering an ostomy today. And how can we change that so potential ostomates can learn about the road ahead for them by getting on here and asking questions before the docs go chop-chop. How exactly do you get all hospitals to provide their patients specific information, like this website?

I just happened to find this site something like 4 years after my ostomy when I Googled "ostomy forum" or something like that. But I never found it during previous searches.....so I found this site pretty much by pure luck. We need to find a way to make this site available to new or soon-to-be ostomates......as that's when we really need to commiserate with fellow ostomates. Anybody have any thoughts on how we do this?

Thanks,

Bob

eddie
Sep 24, 2024 6:31 pm

May try a convex barrier or ring; it pulls the stomach out a bit and discourages pancaking.

eddie
Sep 24, 2024 6:35 pm

I have an ileostomy. May I ask if your stomach is flush with your body? If it is, you may need a convex barrier or ring. My stomach was inverted, so I use both a convex ring and barrier.

shannonnorris99
Oct 06, 2025 12:28 am

This may be a helpful tip for me. I've had so much leakage under the gear, and I've just been living with it. I usually cut my barrier to fit snugly to the stoma. And the rings haven't done anything to help, so I started using paste, which helps a little bit, at least to keep the waste mostly off of my skin. The skin doesn't look healthy, and I'm kind of worried about this. Wound care nurses weren't much help.

 

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shannonnorris99
Oct 06, 2025 12:29 am

Me too!! And I've been eating a low-fiber diet, basically junk.