Minimalist - Journey to Less Is More Quest

All the products available to us ostomates are making me age faster than a banana….

So far, the above equipment has proven to be my best fit after trial and error for the last 5 years in terms of less is more. As a minimalist, as designated by my daughter, I am ever in search of the least amount of equipment and the least amount of time spent on this not-so-loved ileostomy of mine, aka Seymour.

I am posting this pic and description with the thought it might be useful to someone new on the site since most are sent home without a clue and face a mind-boggling journey into our future - at least that was the case for me.

As a “dealer add-on,” I have recently added the C-shaped stoma wrap, which goes around the outside edge of the smaller one with no gaps. These two barrier wraps hold the bag to my belly even without the tape provided on the bag and have been gentle on my skin and painless and chemical-free to remove. Even with a parastomal hernia, this “setup” is easily covered by a loose-fitting top.

As a side note, I currently am fighting a rash on my lower belly (where the bag hangs down). I believe this is caused by the mesh plastic on the back of the bag, which is causing a heat rash type of irritation. Suggestions on here by several are in the process of testing - 1. Turning the bag sideways (the downside will be more difficulty in releasing contents) and the use of Nystatin Powder - hoping to get a prescription for this at a doctor appointment tomorrow.

jb

Yep. Took me quite a while to figure out what a moldable barrier ring was used for and how it was put on. Same with stoma powder (crusting) and skin barrier spray and swabs like 3M Cavilon.

The hospital supplied me with a Hollister 2-piece system. Has worked great for me. So I avoided trial and error trying out different products.

Have you tried diaper/nappy rash cream on your skin? I've known people to wear a baby's bib around their bag to help skin heal. I always think it would make skin sweat more, but I've never tried a bib myself, or make or buy a bag cover.

Whenever I get a rash like this, I use the pockets on the wrap I wear almost every day. I'm referring to the ones like the famous swing wraps that Ostomy Secrets sells.

I've heard the baby's bib suggestion before, and I think it would work similarly to a cotton cover. Yeah, there's more fabric there, and that sounds like it would be worse. But the absorbent material will wick moisture away from the skin and keep the skin drier. What she has now is plastic, which repels the moisture, keeping it on the skin. Things like yeast thrive in a moist, warm environment.

I've used bag covers, but if a baby's bib works better for your setup, go for it.

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

I have tried many creams…the bib idea seems similar to the covers they make, which adds bulk, and since the pouch is very thin on top, I cannot see any way to secure it, which is what happens to the covers; they just slide down and off….….jb🥴

Thanks for the ideas …..

G-Day JB,

Get a boob tube and wear it under your bag, not over it. This will keep the bag away from your skin.

Regards, IGGIE

IGGIE

Not enough space - the area I refer to is only about 3 inches. A headband may be more appropriate; however, it definitely would not stay in place…but thanks for the comment anyway…

I have contacted ConvaTec to inquire about a possible solution. The problem is, I am really happy with the products I use, with the exception of the backing on the pouch. They have pouches with cloth backing, but they do not meet some of the other things I like…clamp closure, clear front…blah, blah, blah….one size does not fit all, and there seem to be so many individual requirements that no one product solves these needs….jb

Wild thought here... what about using a glue dot between the bag and the cover to secure it? You'd probably need a new glue dot every bag change, but I think these are fairly inexpensive. (Sold in craft stores... I think with scrapbook supplies?)

Thanks for your suggestion. Waiting for my script to be filled for Nystatin Powder after the doctor appointment today - thanks to you and others mentioning this. Also, I have shed any tight-fitting clothes in that particular area and have, in fact, sought out from my office one of my mini IGGIE clips - clipping the bottom of the bag to the top, leaving a bit of air cushion for output. Thus, no plastic touching my skin. Not sure how long this will help, and after talking with a WOC nurse this a.m., I will anxiously await the arrival of a ConvaTec bag that may actually fit all my picayune idiosyncrasies… whew, did I just use those two huge words together… might be a good name for a rock band… what say you, Warrior, wherever you are?….jb

"Picayune idiosyncrasies" sounds like a punk rock band.

Their theme song:
"Ya got you...Ya got me, Ya got all kinds of Picayune idiosyncrasies."

It feels like I can't find anything to help with the rash from the ostomy bag. I am overwhelmed by this. I need to try this idea.

Not only did you use the big words, you spelled them correctly. Or was it autocorrect?

I probably looked them up! 🤪. jb

We all used trial and error. I am a minimalist, too. I hate waste. I found Convetec itches less than the others. I would scratch on my old Hollister, and the material would just fall apart and leak! Coloplast was bulky. I found that hot weather weakens the glue on the flange. I use a Stealth belt for going out, hiking, or chores. I keep that area cool with loose-fitting polyester shirts (see 2 pics, find belt?). I wear it horizontally, but vertically around the house. How do you secure your parastomal hernia? Eakin rings help secure the bag around your stoma, but they can leak much easier. It's bad if you are active. I put 2 drops of machine oil in the flange. It allows me to rotate the pouch easily. I love Nystatin. It's an antibiotic and antifungal.

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I hope the machine oil doesn't help the bag give way when full because of the flange being too oily.

IGGIE