Hi Pixie
I have had my osteotomy for 10 years now and can still recall the same problem as you have, with great distress, became a bit of a hermit actually through fear. However, I am well under control now, changed my diet to low fibre, emptied my bag each time I went to the toilet regardless of how much was in it, used swabs to dry the skin round the ileostomy a thoroughly as possible, wore Tena lady pants for a while, used a hand held hair dryer at gentle heat round the ileostomy skin to make doubly sure skin was dry then sprayed skin round the ileostomy with Sureprep Rapid Dry no sting barrier film, prior to applying bag.
Salts Stoma Paste is applied to the bag itself then dampen finger and very gently run it round the stoma paste to level it so make a better contact with the skin. Apply to stoma then fix four quarter moon shaped Flange Extenders round the edge of the bag, they stick down very well as they are coated with fairly strong adhesive (lifteez non sting adhesive removal aerosol is used to painlessly remove Flanges and bag).
the flanges really are excellent as extra security for affixing stoma bags plus give early warning if bag is beginning to leak.
I should mention that I am emailing from Scotland so the stuff I have mentioned might not be available in your area but if you would like me to email you contact details of the company who deals with my supplies I would be happy to do that. Also, the National Health Service over here picks up the tab for all medical supplies so I am unable to supply prices for them. Just know that they have changed my life for the better. I also had the stoma nurse measure my stoma for a new template as our stoma’s change as our bodies change, in my case, more than a few extra pounds appeared from nowhere!!!
fotgive me if I am trying to teach my granny to suck eggs as they say over here, you probably know most of what I have written but hopefully you might find something here that will make your life a lot more bearable.
warmest regards
Vickilou