Coloplast Conceal Plug: Advantages for Intimacy?

Just saw this mentioned in someone's reply to a question. Had never heard of a "plug". It sounds like it would be advantageous for intimacy.
Comments?

I think a plug actually goes into your stoma, not exactly sure I'd want that in me while wiggling around ferociously. Maybe a stoma cap would be more appropriate if you knew your output wasn't gonna be an issue for 4 hours or so.

Hello Audrey.
I have worn a plug every day for years and have had very few problems. The plug goes inside the stoma and the wafer fits right on the skin with nothing protruding (just like a plaster would on a wound). The advantages in terms of intimacy are obvious, in that nothing gets in the way. However, there are are other advantages: the plug is made of porous material which lets wind through but not faeces. It has filters, so any farts don't smell and they don't make a noise either. It puts me in mind of  me of 'tampons' for stomas.

Whilst I think they are a good idea, I don't use them primarily for these reasons; My rationale is that they help with my parastomal hernia, which would otherwise close my stoma so tight that gas builds up behind and is painful. The plugs keep the channel open for gas to pass easily, but it also holds the stricture open.

On the 'con' side: Just occasionally, the plug used to get pushed out. However, when that happened it didn't push the wafer off but lodged on the  inside of the wafer - between the skin and the wafer. This was the same if sometimes there is a small amount of output with it. When this happened, it was not painful, but just a little uncomfortable. Of course, this is a timely reminder telling me that I need to change it for a new one.  I managed to stop this happening by sticking a plastic bottle lid over the wafer where the plug is and holding it on with my hernia belt. This gave enough pressure to keep everything in place. 

With all these devices, it's best to give them a try to see if they suit you, nothing is lost by experimenting in this way until you find something that works for you. 

If you want to know what they look like, there is a photo on my profile.

Best wishes

Bill

 

Hi Bill

I hope all is well with you. I just had surgery 2 weeks ago, so I'm just trying to recover at the moment. I have just become a member, so I came across your post about the plugs.

Is there a website you would recommend to purchase? I am located in Ireland.

Thanks in advance, Bill

Sonya

Hello Sonya.

 

With some of these devices (like plugs) it might be best to check with your stoma nurse if and when it would be safe to use them. I know that my nurses recommended that I wait for at least 6weeks before trying irrigation. It might be that the stoma at the point of connection to the skin needs time to heal.
I get my supplies from directly from Coloplast. Their distributer in the UK is Charter Healthcare, but I'm sure that if you contacted Coloplast they would be able to send you stuff. The website for the UK is : https://www.coloplast.co.uk/samples/order.\
They also have specialist  people on hand to give advice about stomas and their products, so why not try contacting them to discuss the plugs and any other questions you may have. They also might have a closer contact in Ireland. 

Best wishes

Bill

  

The last I checked, they aren't allowed in the US.