Reply to HenryM
Henry......you're a lucky man if you don't need a ring! If I were you I'd just forget you even heard about 'em, and ignore any conversations about it..... and get on with gettin' on.......because it's just one more ostomy accessory you don't need. You lucky devil, you. Simpy put it's just the next step in the product line to prevent leaks under your barrier. When they give you your ostomy in the hospital they typically don't put a ring on, unless your skin is uneven or has folds. But if you experience a leak it's the next step to try to prevent it. As said, it's just a sticky thick gasket that gives a better seal between your stoma and the ID of your barrier. It's basically a thicker pliable version of the adhesive paste that folks use to fill in dips and gaps. For colostomates, with dry formed stool, I doubt they'd ever need one, unless their skin is uneven....but for those with a more liquid or all liquid output......it's a godsend. Of course they come in all sizes and thicknesses, as you've read. So it's just another (rather popular) tool in the ostomate's toolbox to keep a shitbag stuck on and leak free......but a lot of us need them.
;O)
bob