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: Primeboy

Hi Mike and all. I am not sure how panoramic my perspective really is as my peripheral vision shrinks with each passing year. I can tell you that when I came to this website six years ago I was truly ;impressed by the positive attitudes of so many members, especially the younger folks who refused to let their ostomies define who they were or what they would become. I also came to appreciate that having an ostomy is not the same thing as having a disease. Pardon ;my pun now, but ostomies and cancer don't belong in the same bag. One is a solution, the other is a problem. Celebrating National Ostomy Day ;is also well outside my comfort zone. That's like celebrating National Wheel Chair Day. Come on!

I think there is a ;need for improved ;public awareness of ostomies, but I am not sure how that's best done. There ;remains ;some social stigma attached to our situation, and it's acutely felt among our young. We need to get out of the dark ages on this issue, but not by going 'in your face' to everyone else. I think Bill and NDY are 'spot-on' when it comes to telegraphing the right message to friends and family. People will know how to react when they ;see ;how we accept the cards we were dealt. I also appreciate the contribution some people here are making to this effort through their publications.

On a personal note, my son has been suffering from ulcerative colitis for years just like I did. I am very concerned because people with UC are at a higher risk for colon cancer. Years ago my GI told me to get annual colonoscopies to be on the safe side. I am glad I did because he eventually found pre-cancerous cells which led to several surgeries and my becoming an ostomate. Since then I have always ;conveyed a positive attitude to ;my son about wearing a bag because it has kept me alive to enjoy many more years with my loved ones. I think he got the message. We both go to the same gastroenterologist in NYC and get scoped on the same day. Father and Son moments!

Someone once wrote that our children are the letters we write to the future.

PB

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.

 

My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister

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shannonnorris99
Oct 06, 2025 12:29 am

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