Stoma Retraction: Seeking Advice

Hi, I would like to know if anyone has had the experience of their stoma retracting back into the abdominal wall. It was flat, if not slightly inverted today. I had just changed my appliance and left for church, drove 10 minutes, and got ready to get out, and I was a mess. I returned home to find out that my stoma was gone; it had retracted within my abdominal wall. So all my output seeped under my protective sheet and Coloplast convex flip barrier flange.

Has anyone heard of this happening? I waited for 40 minutes, and she finally came out again. This has happened 1 time before, but she returned quickly. I will call my surgeon tomorrow, but in hopes someone has some suggestions.

Thank you,

Blessings, Gingerlee

Hi Gingerlee, my ileostomy is a loop ileostomy and therefore has never protruded out much. Now it is virtually 'subterranean' so is very difficult to manage.

I use convex bags which help push the area around the stoma in. I also supplement the convexity by adding a SAR aloo ring to the wafer around the hole. I also use a stoma belt to help pull the wafer on to my tummy.

Hope this is of some use. Nigel.

Hi Ginger, I'm reading this post late, so I hope you got some help with your situation from your surgeon. I have not had this happen but it sure doesn't sound like fun. I'm wondering what kind of information or advice the surgeon gives you, as to why this happened, and what if anything you can do about it. I hope things are better today.

Terry

Hi, I wear the Convex Flip by Brava. Also, I put a protective sheet down first, then I put paste around my barrier - Convex Flip, and then I apply it onto the protective sheet. Then I put the belt on to secure.

If the stoma retracts inside, though, the output goes behind/under all - trickles under the first layer, the protective sheet...

Then works its way out the edge of the protective sheet and flange. This happened again today - I changed the bag at 10 am and again at 7 pm. I noticed this was the same reason because I have a little window and also I can unlock my barrier and pull it off my bag to look at my stomach and it was retracted in again.

Called the surgeon, she said this happens once in a while but not often. I still believe it's because I had lifted that heavy bag last Sunday morning. She seems to think not; she thinks the stoma is still attached correctly.

Thanks for your information and tip. I know this is very discouraging.

Blessings to you, Ginger Lee

It is a lot easier to place a barrier when there is a protrusion. I would consult a colorectal surgeon. Suspect your surgeon is a general surgeon. It would be fairly easy to revise your ileostomy.

I agree with the suggestion to see a colon specialist. Stomas can be adjusted or even moved surgically. I would at least explore my options.