Dealing with Bag Leaks from a Short Stoma: Seeking Advice

Hello everyone. I've had an ileostomy for 6 years now and never had any big issues. But I did get a parastomal hernia and had surgery to fix it. The reason I have an ileostomy is that I have severe Crohn's disease. It took just over 4 years to get a medication to control it, but my colon was so damaged there was never going to be a reconnection. So, with having this disease, you have a higher percentage of having colorectal cancer. I decided to have it removed 9 weeks ago. The surgeon noticed my hernia was returning when he was examining me a month before the colon removal surgery and said they could move my stoma to my left side if I wanted, and I agreed. Now I wish I hadn't. Before, my stoma was about an inch out and a decent size in circumference. I changed my bag every 7 days. No problems. Now it's so short it's hard to guide the bag placement. It's maybe, maybe 1/4 inch in height and the size of a dime in circumference. I've had to change bags every day (sometimes twice) to every 40 hours. But 90% every day. When it was on the right side, he was called Beautiful Bert. Now he's called Evil Ernie. Does anyone else have this issue with a small stoma? I'm at my wit's end, and my frame of mind is being tested.

I have a very flat stoma, but I got used to it. It is harder but manageable. I get 3-7 days depending on how watery the output is.

I use Convatec Natura Stomahesive+, Convatec rings, the paste, and Skin Tac.

Both of my stomas are very low. The urostomy is actually an "innie." Ironically, the colostomy seems to cause more problems.

I am using the Coloplast Sensura Mio Light convex for the colostomy. The convexity has given me better wear time.

Consider switching to a 2-piece appliance. I find this much easier to place because you can see the stoma better.

Experiment with different barrier rings to see if you can improve your leak prevention and wear time. I like a squishier ring that swells, but some people like harder rings and/or rings that don't swell as much.

Ultimately, you may wish to ask your surgeon to do a revision where the stoma is pulled out a bit more. Chances are good that you will always struggle a bit with a low stoma.

Oh boy, I'm so sorry, yoho. Did the same surgeon do both procedures? Did he explain why this one is so different? Can you tell where the leaks are coming from when you remove your bag? Is it always the same spot? Maybe there's a dip in the skin that you can fill in with paste. Do you use convex bags with your now smaller, flatter stoma? The convexity can help push it out so the output goes more directly into the bag and doesn't pool and cause a leak. I hope the suggestions you get on here will help tame Evil Ernie. Hang in there.

I also have a short stoma with my ileo. I use the Sensura Mio soft convex bag and the soft Adapt CeraRing convex wafer.

I've occasionally had issues with leakage. But for the vast majority of the 2+ years I've had the ileo, I've been able to stay on schedule of 2 changes a week (I use a 1 piece).

If your previous stoma was not a short one but you are using the same equipment, that might be part of the issue.

Airport Security Tips Living with an Ostomy with April | Hollister

I also have a small stoma... had problems for the first 6 months after the hospital with constant leaks and was about to give up... only to then be referred to a wound care nurse who taught me about convex ostomy products, and that seemed to do the trick.... Mine is right up against my midline scar, so part of my waiver paper is actually on the indent of my scar. As long as I have a barrier seal with the waiver, I usually don't have any problems. I can get 5 to 7 days of wear unless it's a bad day with high output that breaks down the seal much faster (I wear a 2 piece).... Try different samples to see which one works the best for you... Good luck 🫂

I wear a soft convex now. A few days ago, I was watching a stoma nurse on YouTube, and she was talking about leaks and what to do. She mentioned not cutting your hole on your appliance so it rubs up against the stoma and to have at least 1/8 away from the stoma. The ostomy nurse I saw before watching this had me using the existing hole on the appliance. It seems to work better having it cut 1/8 away from the stoma, though. I have a better chance of getting it around the stoma instead of it being off-centered. Today, I actually went 83 hours before changing. I also ordered some samples, and a 2-piece was one of them. I noticed there is one that clicks together and one that has an adhesive to attach together. It's Coloplast, and I've been using this brand for 6 years. Do you have one that clicks together or has an adhesive?

I use the Sensura Mio also. I've been using Coloplast products now for 6 years, and I love them. Before my first stoma, I used the soft convex, moldable ring, barrier, and adhesive wipes. Now I use the same, but I also use the barrier strips and a belt. It's a lot of gear! I was told by the first stoma nurse that less is best. That was okay with the first, but not this one. I have ordered samples of bags and other products from Coloplast, and actually, one is a two-piece. It's the one that clicks together, and it's transparent too. I'm hoping I'll be able to have a better view when I'm applying the bag. Fingers crossed one of these sample bags will be the ticket.

I wear a ring also, but when I have a watery output, it does seep under some. What kind of 2-piece do you wear? Is it a click or attached with an adhesive side? I'm thinking of using a 2-piece.

I use that same bag with a barrier ring. I'm having samples of the deep and light convex sent to me. Hoping one of those works better.

I'm using the click 2-piece. With a 2-piece, it is much easier to see the stoma than with a 1-piece.

I use light convex on my colostomy and deep convex on my urostomy. The convexity has made a world of difference for me. I hope they work well for you.

That's what I'm thinking with a 2-piece; then I can actually see where to place the bag on the stoma. I have about 10 samples coming from Coloplast, and since I already used a soft convex, I have the light and deep convex coming as samples. Can't wait to get them. I'm also getting a sample of the lubricating deodorant ointment, hoping it will work to keep the output off the stoma.

You should also try samples of Ostoform's Flow Assist.

https://ostoform.com/

A traveler, I will definitely look into this. Thank you.

I had some samples sent to me, and I really like them. I noticed it had a reference to purchase through them or other companies. Who do you purchase yours from?

These are available from the place where I get my ostomy supplies. I use Edgepark, but I imagine they will be available from most suppliers.

I'm glad these worked out for you. I tried them, but the ring kept disintegrating on me, and that caused problems. But my output may be very different from yours.

I did notice on 2 of them (they sent 4 samples) that they did disintegrate too. But I watched a girl on YouTube (Maggie) and she tried the FlowAssist and said to use a size up from the size you would actually use. It's kind of hard to keep it attached when you put the 2 ends together. So having a size up gives you more to work with. I also used a moldable ring on my appliance with it.