Stoma Strangulation

This may sound stupid but can we strangulate our stoma with cutting the wafer too small?   My Stoma moves all the time is that normal.  

Yes and yes

No, it does not sound stupid, nor is it a stupid question. We are all on a learning curve. No worries.

Would I lie to you? 😁

Yes, and yes, as stated by Bob above.

I am having the same issue with my stoma. The water was the right size when I put it on, and now it feels like it has a slip knot getting tighter. I also just started using the belt for the pouching system. I wonder if it is causing it to feel strangled.

The stoma will move around. If the wafer is too tight, it can injure your stoma. That is why it is advisable to cut your wafer 1/8" bigger than the stoma. This lets the stoma expand without getting squeezed by a wafer that is too tight. Unfortunately, it is possible for output to get in that opening and onto your skin. For this reason, it is advisable to apply a moldable barrier ring around your stoma before applying the wafer/barrier/flange. Each of the major manufacturers sells barrier rings:

Coloplast has the "Brava Protective Seal."

ConvaTec has the "Eakin Cohesive Slims."

Hollister has the "Adapt Barrier Ring."

How to Adjust to Life with an Ostomy with Bruce | Hollister

Your stoma is a shape-shifting little beast. Mine is always on the move. Inside the moist, warm bag, my stoma expands. Take the bag off, my stoma contracts. So, trying to cut the wafer as close as possible to the stoma size is hard to do. Too close will be uncomfortable and might damage the stoma. Too big a hole, and you'll get leaks and skin irritation.

Use a moldable barrier ring. The ring can be molded and stretched to fit around the stoma. Then cut a larger wafer hole than you normally would. The moldable ring seals to the stoma, the wafer seals to the moldable ring and your skin.

I wore a transparent bag recently. I tend to not, but I had a doctor's appointment the day I changed it. Anyway, that night, a few hours after dinner, I had output. I was amazed at how much it moves and changes size as it's doing its thing. Kind of creepy actually, but cool.

As others have said, a barrier ring will solve the problem. Since you are in Canada, you have access to Salts products. In my opinion, they make the best barrier rings. I use the aloe-infused rings, which are very kind to your skin, and they will also increase your wear time. I highly recommend them. Good luck.

Terry

Thank you, Terry.

Good day, Deborah, cut the hole in the base plate with a little clearance and then use a sealing washer, and that will fill in the gap as long as it's a good fit to start with. Regards IGGIE

I always think it is funny when my stoma moves around. I know it's working on something special in the poop department. As others have said, yes, if you cut your wafer too small, it can harm your stoma. If you ever look at your stoma and it's purple, you should change your bag/wafer right away and make the hole bigger. You don't want to see your stoma change colors like that. It should be a nice rosy red.

Oh yes, my stoma was constantly changing. It would shrink, then grow. When my boyfriend changed my bag, he would go through the plastic and give her a little tug to make sure she was pulled out. There were times, though, that I would peek in the bag and think she was going to shrink up and go underneath the wafer and bag, then she would expel something and was back to normal.

Before I left the hospital after my surgery, the nurse had my boyfriend take a video of the bag change procedure. It was amazing to watch it several months later and see the changes in Ms. Stoma. She was pretty big after surgery! As time went on, she had shrunk a lot.

Kim

Yes, it can hurt really bad if it's too tight. I don't know about strangulation, but mine was quite uncomfortable when I used to get it too tight. Sometimes painful. Our stomas will get big then go down again, especially with gas. I think that is why they say to leave a little wiggle room. Then, as time goes on, it can get smaller or bigger with weight gain or weight loss as a factor too.

Hang in there Deborsha! No pun intended… Give yourself time. Time to adjust and experiment with some of these suggestions. The first several months to a year, my stoma, skin and mental psyche went through many changes until things settled down. I’m two years in with Stella, my colostomy, and still learning. This site is awesome with so much to offer.  Just be kind to yourself and go it one day at a time. It’s not always easy and the ups and downs will continue but things will eventually level out. Trial and error is the way to go as you continue to learn how to live with this life changing experience. Best to you! Take care! 

Had a good belly laugh imagining you watching the stoma show🤣 I'll keep it in mind as a diversion for the long Maine winter nights to come🥶 

I was trying to fix a leak I was having and thanks to a lot of people here, they helped me fix the problem. Part of that problem I (We) found was that I was strangling my stoma. It was getting darker and there was always a little bit of blood covering it. I ended up cutting my wafer 2-3 mm bigger than my stoma, adding the barrier ring. The leak stopped, the stoma turned back to a lighter red color, and the bleeding stopped.