Greetings everyone,
I need some suggestions. I have had to change my system 3 times in one night due to leaks.
My post-op swelling has gone down, and now I have a crease from my ostomy to my belly button. My ostomy output is leaking and pooling in my belly button.
I have a barrier ring and added a barrier extender in hope that it would resolve the issue.
But I am all ears for any suggestions anyone has.
Thanks!
Hi Rocks,
Where is your belly button in relation to your stoma? Meaning, is it directly to the left, above, or below? The obvious solution would be to use paste in the crease, but if the crease gets deeper or disappears as you move, it might not be the perfect solution. The ring itself can't flex or get deeper, which is where the paste comes in. I'm talking about Hollister's Adapt paste, but I believe all the major brands have something similar.
https://www.amazon.com/HOLLISTER-Barrier-Paste-Adapt-79301/dp/B01M4RLBIZ?th=1
;O)
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G-Day Rock,
Bob is correct; fill the crease with paste and smooth it to the same height as your skin, and then apply your seal on top.
Let us know if this works.
IGGIE
Hi Bob,
My stoma is to the right of my
belly button—an ileostomy. I will give the paste a try. I may not get it until Monday because many stores that carry it are closed on Sunday.
I will definitely get some, though. Thank you!
Try Convatec paste, not too much, just to level this area and extend a thin layer around it.
I also use a ring under the stoma and extend it to the sides. Convatec Eakin rings work better for me.
Hubz had the same challenge with a low dip between the stoma and belly button. The WOC magician took an Adapt barrier ring and separated one end to overlap and build up the thickness to fill the low spot on the belly button side. We also tried paste (even tried filling in his belly button) and pieces of barrier strips, but the overlap technique has really done the trick.
Also, his pouch was losing air so badly that it seemed output had nowhere to go and may have contributed to it being pushed out the lowest space behind the wafer. He sealed off the filters and keeps some air in the bag at all times, so maybe the combination of overlapping rings and a space of air in the pouch is what's working?
Most pouches with filters include stickers to seal off airflow, but he's used regular tape as well. He doesn't get ballooning and burps the two-piece pouch if it gets too big. We've now ordered pouches without filters.
We're really pretty new to this, so we're hoping this keeps working.
Yup..........I was just going to mention the 'building up the ring' thing as I was reading the replies after mine. If you can't separate the ring to overlap it........because then the hole would be too small.......simply take another ring and cut a section out that fits in the crease and use that. If it's really deep, cut two or three segments of the ring and stack them, and then put them in the crease. Just shape the ring pieces with your fingers to fit really well in the crease and get the skin level before you put your barrier on. Obviously, the point is to get the surface your barrier is to stick to as level as possible. And any way you can do that.......whether with paste or pieces of another ring......should help. Let us know how you make out.
;O)
This is an exceptionally helpful hint; doubling the ring, I will give it a try when the rings and paste arrive this evening.
My visiting nurse group did not have access to the same barrier ring my doctor ordered. I think the thin barrier ring has been contributing to the leaks.
I am trying to wait patiently for Amazon to deliver everything.
There are lots of ways to build up the side of the barrier ring with the gap. The nurse in the hospital cut another ring to use 1/4 of it to double up the low side, which worked. Our WOC said barrier rings can also be doubled whole if too thin. Hubz's stoma shape is oval, so we pull gently to shape barrier rings to the size and shape he needs, so overlapping the ends has still been the easiest way for us to build up one side. No scissors required! :-)
Ooo… pictures!!!! Exceptionally helpful.
I was worried I wasn't sure if the barrier ring would “melt” back together. Thank you for this tutorial.
Hello to all of my coaches!
According to the directions, I couldn't use stoma paste because the skin is very irritated and compromised. So I punted on the stoma paste.
But, I did overlap the barrier ring and it appears that my leaking has stopped! Yippee!!! 🙌
Thank you for all your help and support!!!
That's great to hear! Some of this makes me glad I had a ceramics class back in high school working with clay!
No doubt! You can knead, roll out, and forge a really good barrier ring with those skills.
Hi IGGIE,
You asked me where I traveled in Australia. I was able to see Sydney, Canberra, Cairns, Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, and Uluru.
I loved seeing the flying foxes every morning when I was in Cairns. I would wake up at dawn just to watch them from my hotel balcony.
I was surprised by how the parrotfish would follow me around when I snorkeled at the Great Barrier Reef.
I was fascinated by the vegetation in Tasmania. The size of the ferns that are varietals from prehistoric times was stunning. Their size truly is Jurassic.
G-Day Rocks,
Glad you had such a good experience in Australia; you certainly got to see a few places.
It's good to see how the other parts of the world are and their cultures.
I also have traveled a lot all over the world, but nothing compares to getting home to Australia.
I hope you are in good health.
Regards, IGGIE 🦘
All good suggestions here. I am sorry you are having this issue.
IGGIE,
I too enjoy traveling. I agree, after a long journey, there is nothing like getting home.
This year has been a busy year; I had my 8th spinal surgery in July and ileostomy in September. Unfortunately, I am facing new spinal challenges since my recent surgery.
I'm hoping I can overcome these new issues so I can take a trip with my parents next year. We are hoping to get to Japan. (My fingers are crossed.)
I hope your health is good and that you have a wonderful day.
Rocks