Stoma is shrinking?

Hi Ostomates,

Last month in February 2025 my chemo was delayed due to pancytophenia and followed by a blockage which resulted in vomiting everything I ate or drink so I had to get hospitalized for 2 weeks. This resulted in giving the time for the peristomal skin to heal and my stoma looked very healthy for the first time ever (no excoriation, weeping) after 3,5 months and I was super excited to see it finally healed.

After coming back from hospital I changed my appliance (I do it every 2 days) and surprised to see it was excoriating again around the edges. It got worse after my 5th chemo which was 2 weeks ago. Also it stings so much around the stoma that I couldn’t bear the pain but everytime I change the appliance, I saw the skin in that part was fine!? I don’t understand.

My stoma is not round so I have been covering the inactive part and I never had to cut it to fit the active stoma because it fitted perfectly but I think it has shrunk because there would have been no stinging if it hadn’t leaked somehow, wouldn’t there?

Is it because I have been eating a lot of sour food? Because since the vomiting I have problem eating normal and sour food like fruits or salads are the only food I could tolerate. The smell of any meat makes me sick.

Today while I had liquid output coming out I had to change the appliance (how fun. Not!) with the smaller diameter one hoping this will stop the stinging. 

I attach pictures here (sorry if it is a bit gross) for reference. The first one was taken on Feb 14th and the second one is how it currently looks.

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You have to get that fixed right away. Contact your stoma nurse and get her/him to push the Surgeon to operate as soon as he can to relocate your Stoma. That is very bad.

Regards IGGIE

I am supposed to have a reversal after I finish my chemo sessions. The chemo has really affected the peristomal skin in healing, that’s why it took a while for it to close. 

But how long with it be before the reversal, that needs fixing now.

IGGIE

Hi Whuf do you use a convex wafer or just a flat as a convex will help push out your stoma.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

They usually won't do surgery until the chemo is out of your system.

Have you tried the skin protector sheets? You really need to do something while you wait. It also looks to me like a convex wafer may help. 

Definitely measure carefully and make a new template.  

Hi Susan,

What is skin protector sheet? Is it like skin barrier wipes?

There arent many types of appliance brands where I live. And the only convex ones available are the two-piece which is not ideal for me because I change mine every 2 days and they are quite expensive here

If you have to wait until chemo.is don't .. try using a liquid skin protectant.. marathon or 3m advanced skin protectant they are not like the skin barrier wipes. These actually put a protective coating over the skin and your bag will stick to it. Also when you cut your wafer are you cutting to the shape and the size of your stoma? If you aren't cutting to the shape of your stoma and if your leaving gaps you will leak and your skin will eat away.