Why is my stoma shrinking below the skin barrier?

Replies
17
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220
Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 12:44 am

Why does my stomach shrink below my skin barrier?

warrior
Mar 24, 2025 12:52 am

Maybe you scared it? ☺️. Just kidding.

They do shrink. I call it breathing. But if it recedes that far in, you might be in trouble.

You may need a better flange or wafer. What are you using now?

How old is the stoma?

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ConnMan

I began my Urostomy life February 27th, 2023...a month and a half ago. I stumbled upon this site from another on Youtube and website called VeganOstomy and between that site and this one, most of my fear and worry of not having any answers other than calling the Dr's office recording menu and hoping to hear back in the next day or two for an answer to leaks, skin irritations etc, or just feeling alone and the "no one understands" thoughts I had to look forward to in my mind were all put to rest by these two websites and the community here at MaO!! I have been here for a few weeks now, and the help and support offered by the members here is just amazing!! The information and support is absolutely priceless for anyone recently out of their surgery and have tons of questions or had it for years...sit down...have a good read and you will see for yourself!!

IGGIE
Mar 24, 2025 12:59 am

Are you using a convex wafer?

IGGIE

eefyjig
Mar 24, 2025 1:00 am

Warrior is right; they move a lot. If yours dips below skin level, a convex wafer can help pull it out a little.

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 1:05 am

Hollister, this has just stated, going on 6 months post-surgery.

 

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Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 1:06 am

Sorry 9 months

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 1:16 am

No, this just started.

IGGIE
Mar 24, 2025 1:19 am

Talk to your stoma nurse, but I would get a convex wafer if I were you.

IGGIE

warrior
Mar 24, 2025 1:22 am

Yup... agreed. πŸ‘

warrior
Mar 24, 2025 1:24 am

Ok, not a fan of that brand.

Do you have a part number? Some means of a description?

I will look it up, but it should identify itself on the box it came in. Let us know. Thanks.

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 1:33 am

Yes. It's a 11203. I have one convex wafer; however, I do not know that #

SusanT
Mar 24, 2025 2:22 am

Mine retracts to skin level at times. It didn't do it at first (or at least we didn't know it). It started around 3 or 4 months post-surgery for me.

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 12:46 pm

What did you do? It has returned to normal.

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 12:47 pm

P.S. I'm nine months post.

Beachboy
Mar 24, 2025 2:31 pm

Hello,

A convex wafer would help... but can have its own problems. Constantly pushing the area around your stoma downward can cause soreness. And you might still experience leaks.

The addition of a support belt would help maintain downward pressure to prevent leaks. But it can cause uncomfortable soreness.

Revision surgery can pull out a retracted stoma. You would need a consultation with a gastro surgeon to explore if this would work for your situation.

Knuclehead
Mar 24, 2025 6:15 pm

Thank you.

SusanT
Mar 24, 2025 9:36 pm

I switched to a convex wafer and got a hernia support belt. I've been able to manage mine better than most people. At least so far, my system works, and I get 7 days of wear.

That said, I still expect to get revision surgery at some point. I'm still dealing with some surgical complications that have to take precedence for now.

infinitycastle52777
Mar 25, 2025 2:53 pm

Stomas change size and shape after surgery, but 9 months out is a long while to still be shrinking. If it's going below your skin level, that might be something you want to talk to your doctor about. If you have a hard time getting a wafer on or keeping a wafer on, then you might need to have your stoma medically pulled out some.

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