Hollister products not lasting since COVID - Any theories?

I have been having serious problems with my Hollister products since the pandemic started. Let me start with the fact that I have been using the same products for 13 years prior and there have been no changes to my weight. I was wondering if other ostomates have this issue. I used to get 4-5 days out of an appliance, now we're down to two and on some bad days I have to change twice in one day. Is it bad storage? Supply chain? I need some theories before I phone Hollister because they always find some way to blame it on me and to add new products to my routine. An average appliance change costs about $15 here. Thank God the government pays, but there is always the worry... terror that this *&#ing thing will leak in public (twice in the last month).

Sorry, you are having problems. I use Hollister products. The only problems I have had are a couple of wafers that don't stick to the skin well around the edges. I have just put some tape around the edges and it is good. Hope you can get your problems resolved. Best wishes.

Check the date on the box. Sometimes if the weather is hot or too cold, it probably affects the product, I would think. Hollister did discontinue a couple of items on the flange size, so I had to redo my whole wardrobe. I call it.

I believe there is another member here that was having issues with her Hollister products as well. She managed to find appliance defects and called Hollister to let them know and had her supplies replaced. Her issue was tiny holes leading to leakage issues. My apologies for not knowing what thread she talked about it on. I will look around and see if I can find it.

My problem is that I just can't seem to attach my appliance properly. I go through phases where everything is great, and then I hit a rough spot where I can't seem to get the appliance to last longer than 48 hours.

Try this thread:

https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=12798

It may not help with your particular issue, but it's the same company with different issues. Hopefully, it helps by getting you in contact with Hollister and having them replace your defective products.

Hi there, I use Salts mouldable seals and have been doing okay for a while, getting the odd leak. I sometimes get 2 days without a change, but for some reason, I am suddenly struggling to get a day. I am away at work on an oil rig for 21 days. I have been here for 16 and have had 3 complete failures. It is terrible. I don't know what's wrong? I have changed nothing, same routine. Even when it's not bursting when I change it, it's nearly there?

I am having a terrible time and don't know what to do?

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Thank you so much.

Thank you!

Thank you! The thread was valuable and may indicate there are storage/stocking issues during the pandemic.

I know the feeling. It's maddening we have to do so much expensive research to find what works!

Anytime my friend, I've received so much help here it was about time I was able to give something back.

I hope Hollister does the right thing and replaces your supplies.

I feel your frustration. Trying different ones and see what will work best, you will find one. Keep that faith.

Hi Gaetan, it was me the other member was referring to, and yes, I have had two separate issues with my Hollister products recently, but no problems with the wafer sticking, which is a much bigger deal I think. I had a pinhole near the bottom of the pouch that leaked from the moment I put it on. That only happened once, but several times now I've had pouches that leak through the vent. I always plug my vent up with a little sticker, but it's not enough to stop the leak on some pouches. My last one did the same thing, and I've decided from now on to put a piece of waterproof tape over the vent right from the start, and "assume" the thing is going to leak. Both times I called Hollister to complain, they were very apologetic and sent replacements to me, sending more product than I actually needed to replace the defective ones. I'm sorry you are experiencing what sounds like poor customer service (blaming you!) and I'm surprised to hear that. My pouches continue to give me really good wear time, I only change every six days. The expiry date on the side of the box is important, as the other member mentioned. I recently changed providers and took note that they were sending me product with really good expiry dates (latest batch is 2027/01/01) before deciding to stay with them. They are Canadian, by the way, if you are interested and have very good pricing. Check out CanMedDirect.ca. It might be worth it for you to change providers.

Good luck!

Terry

Bonjour Gaetan. I think the smoked meat, steamed hot dogs, poutine, and bagels are making your skin acidic and that's why the appliances may not be sticking! Just kidding!!!

I use Eakin seals under my two-piece Convatec, and I can wear it for at least 6 days. It is only by my choosing that I change at 4 days, sometimes 5. I just think wearing an appliance more than 4 days loses its freshness. I also choose not to buy pouches with a deodorizer. I never have leaks or, should I say, it has been over 20 years since I've had one, and that was because I used a completely different system. If you have any questions, just ask me. Mike

I have used Hollister products all along. That is what the hospital used. I have tried all the different rings and that is where I have had problems, not with the Hollister flanges and bags. I now use Salts rings and get 10+ days between changes. Works for me.

New Image™ Two-Piece High Output Drainable Ostomy Pouch is a Hollister product which I recommend if you are having issues. It is hard to have a leak with this product, especially because it is made for high output. The item number is 18012. You can use a ring with it and it will last you for days.

Ask your doctor for a 'Medical Necessity' note so you can order more pouches per month. The process, as I know it, is your gastro doctor will send you to an ostomy nurse who will just take a look at your stoma and ask questions. Just answer that you have lots of liquid output, that everything turns to fluid; it's that simple. You take that and send it to your insurance company and voila, you get many more pouches per month. You can say you have three changes a day, and they will oblige. They have to.

There is a company called Byram, not the best but does the job if you don't want to pay upfront. It's the only company that works directly with insurance companies.

My recent supply of Hollister pouches arrived with a yellow note explaining changes made to the film.
Hollister claimed that the new pouches would perform as well as the previous ones with the film being more transparent (it's not. It is tan and opaque on the skin side), and has odor-resistant properties (not nearly as much as the previous pouches). An hour after attaching the first of the new pouches, I thought I had sprung a leak due to the odor.
On the plus side, the Velcro works much better and it seems to adhere to the skin better yet releases easily when changing.
I contacted Hollister by email and phone. I was told the film supplier no longer was able to supply film and Hollister is anticipating having their own film later this year or next.
They've received complaints about odor and the film making crinkling noises.

I am having issues with the wafer. They do not hold like they used to. Will be trying another brand on my next order. Going to try the EAKON brand.

Since my post regarding odor issues, I've received many samples from Hollister and have spoken and emailed extensively with one of their WOCN Nurses.
I have switched from the 8531 to 8961 which has Cera-Plus, venting and is pre-cut.
What an improvement! My skin is happier and I am happier.
Hollister will send samples if you request.

Just out of curiosity, did you ever figure out the answers to your questions from Hollister? I am also a 10+ year ostomate (ileostomy) veteran and I have had ongoing problems with their one-piece product that was suggested to me after they discontinued the one I really liked. The first thing I noticed was the thickness of the plastic was at least half of the discontinued product. The next and most important thing that happened was the pouches started to leak in the area where the closure folds up and secures with Velcro. I sent them a video of this using water to demonstrate the failure. All they seem to do is send you replacements with their apologies but no explanation. This started 6 months ago and even though the customer agent I have been dealing with assured me the matter had been escalated, not a peep from anyone even close to management level has contacted me. I personally think they are purposely using less plastic to save money and ignoring the fact that this will lead to increased failures. Fortunately, I have worked out a system to prevent major embarrassment, but I am really displeased that they do not want to provide their customers some insight. Sadly, their main competitor, Coloplast, has not even returned my queries into switching to their products! The main thing I have learned in this process is that I was able to get 6-7 days and only had problems with the area near the closure and never around the stoma. Still, I think I will take a hard look at moving away from Hollister as you have indicated they have made a ton of money off our misfortune and aside from the front line customer service, I have yet to have any management take any interest in my problems that are nothing of my own doing.

I have had similar problems with Hollister barrier rings just not sticking to the skin well. I used to change them once a week but about two years ago they started to fail after four days. I now change them every three or four days but even then I have had major failures, a few times after only three of four hours. I suspect that Hollister changed the composition of the material so they wouldn't last as long and thereby increase sales. It costs over $30 per change here. Fortunately the province pays three-quarters of that cost.

Does anyone know of a more dependable product? I wouldn't mind paying more for a product that I can depend on.