Ostomy Bag Lifting and Leaking Issues After Surgery

Just a quick question. I keep having my ostomy bag lift on the right side of my stomach, which is about 3/4" away from where my healed stitches are from having laparoscopic surgery almost 10 weeks ago. Does anyone else have problems with their bag lifting in the same area and leaking? And this episode happened less than 24 hours after a at-home care nurse applied it. So pleased to have found this group to ask questions. Wish there was a group in my hometown, but nothing.

G-Day Shirleed,

Are you using a two-piece bag or a one-piece?

Do you use a barrier spray? This product, once sprayed on and let dry completely, gives extra adhesive power to help stick your bag more firmly.

Others will come in and make suggestions. I hope this helps.

Regards, IGGIE

Is there a dip in your stomach from the scar? Have you had leaks from the start or only started recently?

Stuff doesn't stick too well to scars for some reason.

If it's on a surface scar like Alex said, it will have difficulty sticking. Do you use flange extenders?

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

If you are otherwise getting good adhesion, I agree with the suggestion of flange extenders. Those have helped me.

You might want to consider a hernia support belt too. I use the type that has holes to pull my bags through. I find my bags are much more secure that way. I think the belt helps hold them down.

If you are not otherwise getting good adhesion, then there's a different problem.

Have you tried a convex pouch? Helped me tremendously.

I'm new at this. About 8 weeks, so my skin is still healing. I have tiny divots where the stitches are dissolving. Hopefully, the skin will eventually grow flush. In the meantime, one of the tricks I read was to use the crusting method. This might work over your scar tissue. I use adhesive dissolve first to make sure there is no residue to create a hidden uneven surface. Dry well. Plain water. Dry more! I do a skin barrier followed by a dusting of Hollister stoma powder, and over that, I blot on skin tack. It makes the surface very sticky. So far, I have had success. Of course, your skin is unique. If you try this, I would be interested to know if it helps.

Thank you for your reply, Eliza. I looked up what a convex pouch was and was very interested. I have a home nurse once a week, and they have been ordering what I came home from the hospital with, which is a Convatec flange that is all hard plastic and sits around the stoma. I think that's a reason why I'm still pancaking at times. I have a visit with an ostomy nurse, so I'll definitely be bringing up the convex pouch.

Thank you for your reply. I am still having problems with ostomy leakage after 3 months 😖. I do everything right, use the powder, the spray, and make sure the flange sticky pad is sealed tightly. My stomach is all lopsided and dips down on the side that leaks. I finally have an upcoming visit with an ostomy nurse; hopefully, she'll help me figure out what's wrong. Hope everything is going well with you.

Yikes! I'm glad you are meeting with an ostomy nurse! After 3 months, things should be better.

If that doesn't help, call all the manufacturers (Hollister, Coloplast, Convatec are the biggest ones). Ask for samples and try to meet with their ostomy nurses for advice.

I think a more flexible wafer, like the one DWild got from Convatec or even the Coloplast SenSura Mio that I use, may help. Mine is also convex.

Even if the consensus is that they need to move the stoma because of the dip in your belly, you deserve to have a more livable situation in the interim.