Advice Needed for Ostomy Pouch and Barrier Ring Issues

Hello everyone. I have had an ileostomy since 2008 and just 9 weeks ago had to have my ostomy moved due to infected hernia mesh. I feel like a brand new ostomate! I am having an issue with my belly burning right at the edge of my pouch. I use Coloplast and also use Convatec. I'm not sure why, as my skin is not red.

Also, I use a barrier ring. I used Hollister products for many years up until now. I still use the Hollister ring, but my issue is the barrier ring seems to swell and push the opening up. I use a deep convex, and George is super small, 7/8 inch, and will shrink below the barrier ring. What do I do? Thank you for many suggestions.

Hmm .. a suggestion you ask?

Change your handle? 😖 Ostomy warrior? Indeed.

Just my icebreaker.🤗

Good thought went into it.👍

From one warrior to another? Welcome. You are in the right place. Sit tight as the welcome wagon approaches. Good to have you. 👋

G-Day OW,

I think it could be the new location of your stoma; it is not like your current Convatec, and it might be a good idea to go back to Hollister. Or at least try a few other products.

I also hope that people reading this notice will take note that OW had an infection from mesh added after a hernia operation.

When I had my hernia operation, my old school surgeon told me he never uses mesh because of the chance of it getting infected and it can also move inside you, causing more problems.

Regards, IGGIE

Could you go back to using Hollister bags and wafers? A 2-piece system might be helpful to you. Make sure you are cutting your hole in your wafer to size, not too small and not too big. When I had my parastomal hernia, my ostomy would go below the wafer and ring all the time. I would worry that it was going to leak. Now it's better since I had mesh put in. I hope my mesh never causes an infection because I wouldn't like to know what I would do if my ostomy was moved. Are you sure your ostomy is pulled out enough? Maybe the surgeon didn't do such a good job of placing your stoma and pulling it out far enough. Consult your surgeon with your problems and concerns and ask them what they think. Maybe they will have some ideas for you or will see the error and fix it. I am glad your skin is not red. Maybe it is reacting to the glue used on your wafer. Sometimes I get an itch for a small amount of time after I change my wafer. I think it's just a reaction to the glue, and it gets better with time.

You might want to try the Adapt convex barrier rings.

They come in limited sizes. You may need to cut out a piece to get it small enough. I've got samples of these I'm trying now. I had pancaking the first time I used one, and the output pushed under the wafer but not under the barrier ring, so my skin was spared.

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I also have irritation around my stomach. I'm not sure what to do. I use the powder and the barrier ring. Hollister 2-piece products.

Hi

I'm not the best to advise as I'm very new to all this. My op is next week on 1st July, but I have been given some

bags to try as I have sensitive skin. Two of them caused itching after a few hours and again just around the outer margin. Not having my ileostomy yet meant no output, so I could have a good look and try to work out why,

The skin where the base plate was stuck was absolutely fine and not itchy at all. What I think caused my itch was where the fabric of the bag overlapped this and was directly on my skin - looks like I will need to try some bag covers - on the upside, I'd already planned to make some after my op 😃

I'm planning to try making these in some nice soft fabric (although I've seen you can buy them online) - https://www.vickymyerscreations.co.uk/how-to-make-an-ostomy-pouch-cover/

Mine was just rubbing where the blue mark is on the photo below

🔒 Login to see image

G-Day JBU99,

How many different bags have you tried? There are dozens of them. Have you yet tried Hollister bags? It seems to be the most popular. You're in the UK, so try "SALTS." They have a very good set of products using aloe in the manufacture, which is very good for your skin.

Regards, IGGIE

My husband told me I was a warrior as I have had so many issues within the last 2 years, so we will just have to share for now 😁

Sharing is good. 😁 It's what we do here. Many Warriors exist here without the nameplate. 👍 ..for you.. it was just my icebreaker.. I'm weird like that. 🤭

Hi, thank you for the advice. Today was a bag change day, and so far, all is well.

I had a couple of parastomal hernias; one was with mesh, and then the second was biologic mesh. I had surgery 4 years ago, and I knew something wasn't right. I developed 3 fistulas, one being an inch away from my stoma. Ugh, that was so bad. I ended up having surgery, and they found that all the mesh was infected and that George had to be moved. They also had to remove a bunch of tissue because it caused so many issues. Not fun, but I feel the best I have in 4 years.

A fistula survivor! I'm struggling with a fistula right now. We've been trying to get it to heal on its own, but I fear I'm looking at surgery. It's good to hear your surgery fixed the fistulas. I've been fearing it would fail.

That's a great warning to people about to have a hernia operation not to use mesh. I was lucky when I had my hernia operation; my surgeon was against mesh and didn't use it. That was 2 years ago, and all is good at the moment.

IGGIE

I tried to get it healed, but unfortunately, when your body developed them, they create more little tunnels and wreak havoc. Best to get it looked at and see what needs to be done before you develop multiple.

My surgeon is following it. My surgery nearly killed me, so they won't operate again until I'm a year out. But that one-year mark is approaching quickly.

For now, I have a drain and get TPN every day with orders to eat very little. This is the attempt to let it heal. It's better but not gone, so we'll need to make a decision soon.

I've been worrying about it coming back after surgery. Now I'm worried that it could get worse... yikes! What a mess!

Is there a difference between mesh and biologic mesh?

Biologic mesh is a type of surgical mesh made from animal or human tissue, used to reinforce hernia repairs, particularly in cases where synthetic mesh might be problematic.

My surgeon just said he would never use mesh. I take it that he meant any kind of mesh.

IGGIE

Thanks, I've switched to Convatec Esteem Body Convex, which seems to be working for me 🤞- I love swimming, so hopefully this will also set me up nicely for that once I get through APR wound recovery and CAPOX chemo 😃

It sounds like you should see an ostomy nurse. Is the ring on your flange base cut too small?