Frustrated with Barrier Rings and Considering Switching to One-Piece

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Hisbiscus
Sep 11, 2024 12:12 am

It sounds like maybe your ostomy area may not be cleaned well enough, or you may have gotten lotion or conditioner on the area. When you clean the area, use Dial White or Ivory. First, use adhesive remover wipes, making sure you get all buildup of adhesive and barrier wipes off. Barrier wipes tend to build up, which is why I no longer use them. After removing the adhesive, take a soapy wet paper towel or washcloth and clean up the area, then wipe with plain water a few times with more paper towels or another clean washcloth. Pat dry. Put your barrier ring around the hole on the bag instead of around your stoma, making sure it's exactly on the edges of the hole of the bag. If you don't like Brava rings, Hollister makes Adapt and Cera rings that are much better. Also, is your stoma flat, or does it stick out in your bag? If your stoma is flush or flat, you will need a bag with convexity.

Be careful about anything like hand lotion or conditioners getting on your stoma area. It will cause the bags to leak or loosen your seal.

I stopped using barrier wipes as I found they are not needed unless I get irritated; then I might use Cavilon until I clear up. I use a one-piece bag, and I like it much better.

MsPriss
Sep 11, 2024 12:07 pm

Thanks for the reply, how quickly we learn. Turns out it was the Brava moldable ring that I didn’t care for, not barrier rings in general.

I prefer to put the ring around my stoma, so I can ensure all the skin is covered.

I was (at the time of this post) only changing in the shower, so washing thoroughly with soap. 

I’m actually trying a sample of the Hollister Cera Ring right now! I 

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Posted by: iMacG5

Hi Crossley. Ya know, I think it’s all about feelings. I don’t mean the pain feelings which could control everything. I mean the feelings inside our heads, our hearts and even our souls. I mean the feelings of who we are now compared to who we were; how we accept our situation or maybe we don’t. My wife asked how I felt and I said, “like crap”. She asked what hurt and I answered, “Nothing hurts, well, everything hurts, I don’t know, It all sucks.” That was a long time ago. You question if your feelings are normal. How normal is it to relocate your butt hole to your belly where it’s usually in the way of your belt and, you know. But that’s where we are and for lots of us we are so much better off than we were before, physically. Emotionally, psychologically, well, that might be a different story. I believe talk therapy is wonderful if we could find a real empathic or sympathetic listener. So guess what! I found MAO and began “talking” with a keyboard with some of the wisest, kindest most sympathetic and compassionate folks on the planet. Regardless of where we’ve been, lots of folks here have been there and worse places and found their way back healthier and happier. We really do help each other.
Keep “talking”,
Mike

eddie
Sep 24, 2024 6:31 pm

May try a convex barrier or ring; it pulls the stomach out a bit and discourages pancaking.

eddie
Sep 24, 2024 6:35 pm

I have an ileostomy. May I ask if your stomach is flush with your body? If it is, you may need a convex barrier or ring. My stomach was inverted, so I use both a convex ring and barrier.

shannonnorris99
Oct 06, 2025 12:28 am

This may be a helpful tip for me. I've had so much leakage under the gear, and I've just been living with it. I usually cut my barrier to fit snugly to the stoma. And the rings haven't done anything to help, so I started using paste, which helps a little bit, at least to keep the waste mostly off of my skin. The skin doesn't look healthy, and I'm kind of worried about this. Wound care nurses weren't much help.

 

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shannonnorris99
Oct 06, 2025 12:29 am

Me too!! And I've been eating a low-fiber diet, basically junk.