Maximizing Adhesive Longevity for Salts Convex Bags

Hi guys.
I was wondering what tips people had for making a bag stick and last for three days. I'm currently using Salts convex bags. I get them precut. I'm quite active in my daily life. At the moment, my bags last from one day, and sometimes now I am getting more days that they are lasting to about three days.
At the moment, I use a barrier ring as well, again from Salts. I always have to use flanges. The issues I have are sometimes the leak is under the ring, or sometimes the bag just not lasting for more than a full day. I do heat my bag; today I heated the ring, so we will see how that goes. I am getting better but thought I'd ask for any tips that I could use. Thanks in advance.

I use heat when I change my bag to help make it stick.

If you're using soaps with oils in them when cleaning, that's a no-no. I found Dial or Ivory works best for me.

Spot on! Heat and oil-fragrance free soaps. The area around your stoma must be clean and dry.

The help of strip extenders also helps keep the flange on and waterproof that seal.

I found the Salts rings the best. I get 10+ days. The area must be dry.

How to Get Back to Activity after Ostomy Surgery with Kimberly | Hollister

Ditto on all of the above, and sometimes if you sweat a lot, you may just need to change more often.

My first thought is the bag's not right for you; even being very active, you should get 3 days problem-free out of it. You could try some roll-on deodorant on the skin around the stoma; it's an old trick that's been used since long before today's products were available. Personally, I would speak to your stoma nurse and get samples of other bags to try.

This would depend if your stoma speaks. 😆 Sorry, Ben. Just teasing.

Have you tried skin protective wipes? They seem to create a sticky area and help mine stick better. As many folks have mentioned, make sure the area is dry and lotion/oil-free.

I don't use lotion on my belly and it's always dry. I use a fan or hair dryer. Currently, I am using barrier adhesive wipes.

I will try the deodorant I saw today. I am thinking of trying other brands. I've been getting some that last 3 days, so it's getting better; before, they were not lasting a day.

Does your stoma protrude, or is it flush with your wafer? Also, you could try adhesive remover spray instead of the wipes. I found the wipes to be more oily for me and my skin.

How long after you change your bag do you sit still to let the adhesive set? I was told by my ostomy nurse to relax for 20 minutes if possible, with a hand to help warm the adhesive, which would help. Twenty minutes is more than I can do, but I get about 10 minutes in a reclining chair and keep an abdominal binder on for about 30 minutes to help things set, and that has made a big difference.

Thank you for this. I have noticed a difference when I give myself more time; around 15-20 minutes does it.

I will keep doing it.

Thank you for this. I have noticed a difference when I give myself more time; around 15-20 minutes does it.

I will keep doing it.

Hello Gsed.Watson,

As you use Salts products, have you tried their protector wipes? In my experience, they provide a film which is safe and seems to aid adhesion at the point of interface. This may help your initial seepage and thus enhance the life of your appliance/s between changes [on edit I notice this has already been suggested - whoops ;-)]

https://www.salts.co.uk/en-gb/products/additional-products/salts-barrier-film-wipes

 As Ben has suggested, maybe another brand may suit you better.

When my own skin was exacerbated, I used Coloplast - the relevance of this mention is that Coloplast is the only manufacturer to use zinc within their base wafers. Zinc aids healing and if [not saying you do have an allergy] you do have extra sensitivity, you might find even a periodic change of appliance helpful.

The other point is, in my experience, in the event of a large and/or liquid output, the weight of the same is not helpful. Thus, I tend to try and empty early and [sorry just noticed caps] - using a smaller drainable bag results in less stress on the skin.

[Managing diet too can help enormously!]

Good luck!

Best wishes,

Jayne

Try wearing an ostomy belt to hold the bag against the skin.