How to cut the base plate

It’s been 2 weeks . I still can’t get a good fit around the stoma. The area next to it hurts from the stitches, which I understand dissolve. Tell me there’s hope that I can learn this. Today, 1st attempt took 90 minutes and I had to just go with it. And then pancaking so I removed the bag to clean the stoma but because the earlier attempt wasn’t a good fit I couldn’t clean well enough. Now I’m in yet another and the cut isn’t great. But it had to suffice too (I remembered the lubricants this time). 

stoma is not a circle, not quite an oval. 

Hi Chai Lover,

You're definitely in the right place to find plenty of support from our large community. We've all been through the learning curve, and it does get easier with time.

For cutting the base plate, try using a template that matches your stoma's shape. You can trace it onto the back of the base plate before cutting. Some people find it helpful to use curved scissors for more precision. As for the discomfort from the stitches, it should improve as they dissolve. Keep experimenting with different techniques and products until you find what works best for you. Remember, practice makes perfect, and you're not alone in this journey.

With thousands of members here, you can use the search feature to find others nearby. Connecting with someone in person or finding members around your age might make you feel more comfortable. Keep reaching out, and you'll find the support you need.

G-Day Chai,

I hope your using curved blunt end scissors. If not get a pair from your Drug Store. Do you have a Stoma Nurse?

 Try to cut as close to the shape as you can even if it is oval, and also use a sealing washer

Regards IGGIE

Just watched a video. I think I can do that. Thanks 

When you arrive at a hole shape that suits you, keep the peel off backing and use it for a template going forward. Lay it over the new bag and trace the hole with a sharpie or such.

My stoma is as you described yours…I had a difficult time duplicating the shape for a good fit.  I have made templates from various sources.  The best was a clear plastic that covered my Convatec 22771 (one piece) pouch.  I placed the clear plastic over my stoma then outlined it with a marker.  Finding all the correct paraphernalia is the most difficult, in my opinion, and there are so many choices.  The best fit is the key to success and the search and rescue takes time.  Have patience it will get better.  This site helped me tremendously - these folks have the most on-the-job training….doctors/nurses may (or may not)  have the knowledge but not the actual training.  jb

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Maybe you can try precut wafers   Reach out to some of the suppliers .  They are very helpful ..  Good luck 🌈

Hello Riva,

..... Patience - you are on the road to a solution ......

Yes, contact suppliers for samples - May I suggest you might like to visit Dansac web site - I believe they have an oval base plate product which I think can also come in a precut oval stoma hole - BUT IN ANY EVENT ONCE YOU HAVE A TEMPLATE FOR THE SHAPE THAT WORKS FOR YOU YOUR OSTOMY COMPANY _ VIA THE DISTRIBUTOR CAN CUT AL PRODUCTS TO YOUR SPECIFIC TEMPLATE - it is called a CUT TIO FIT SERVICE ...... that way no more cutting [until that is your stoma subtly changes shape - which it may do over time - and then you will be abkle to fine tune and amend your own template with your supplier to update their cut to fit service for you.

BTW: If you are still in hospital or at home without internet connectivity ask someone to access the Dansac product I refer to ---- they also have different options for base wafer types for sensitive skin and newer technologies too to overcome some of the more challenging skins concerns.

Hope this helps

BW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jayne ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Can you explain more about how you placed the clear plastic over the stoma and then traced it?

G-Day Chai,

Another way to get the shape of your stoma is to get a piece of soft copper wire, and very carefully shape it round your Stoma. Be careful not to hurt to stoma they bleed very easily. Give it a go.

Regards IGGIE

Lay flat - center a  clear plastic piece (larger than stoma) on top of your stoma and outline your stoma with a marker on the plastic (my hubby assisted for this) - remove plastic and cut around the marker outline - use this plastic piece (with hole )  lay it on your baseplate to cut hole - some will say to leave space around stoma but I have found a snug fit helps to prevent leaks.  Make sure you keep pressure on baseplate once you place on your belly - the warmth will help seal the  (for lack of a better word) wax. Apply pressure for at least 2 minutes.  Good luck… jb

Great advice so far. But if you are only 2 weeks out, your stoma will be changing sizes for a few more weeks. So, unfortunately, you may need to measure/trace repeatedly to keep getting a good fit. Things will settle down around 6 weeks out. 

The first few weeks are tough. The barrier ring really helped me with some cutting imperfections during these early days. 

Put a large(tall, not thick) ring of paste(or something) around your stoma. Take a clear template from your bags or wafer depending on whether you use a 1 or 2 piece setup. Gently lay the template on the ring of paste. Gently lift the template off and that should leave enough paste residue to see the shape you need to cut. Transfer that shape to your wafer and cut. 

Love these suggestions. As things settle down also make sure your stoma is the same shape at skin level. Mine looks oval to the eye, but is actually round at the base.  Those early weeks are so tough. Barrier rings help a lot. I’ve experimented for 7 months and still switch back and forth between 2 different one piece bags. (Convatec Esteem body convex feels better, Coloplast Sensur Mio convex has a better end for emptying). Best of luck, it does get easier. 

Hi Chai Lover,

I've had my ileostomy for 28 years and in all that tie I had wafers with precut holes, but that changed since my stoma shrunk over the years; and my stoma nurse changed me to bags I have to cut myself.
It took me a few months to figure out how to make a template of my stoma.

I use curved ostomy scissors to cut it. And I use the stoma hole guides which either come with your bags and wafer or your one piece bag - of it does not ask your stoma nurse for some!!

Because my stoma is oval in shape I need to use three different hole guides to make the template, which I make out of cardboard, but every once in a while I need to remake it as the cardboard alters in shape - perhaps I need to find a better paper or plastic.

I mark the areas where my stoma no longer fits, (if that makes sense?) - and I write on the guide if it is the top, bottom, left and right side, than I first draw it on some paper, cut it out and hold it over my stoma  to see if it is a good fit. My stoma nurse says to give my stoma 2 to 3mm of room so that when it contracts it's okay.

There are quite a lot of YouTube videos also which show you how to do this - put a lot involved using a piece of plastic which you put over your stoma and mar the edges, but that didn't work for me as the end result was always too big.

All the best,

Gracie