Odd shaped stoma

Ok. So I measure the stoma (I am 16 days post op) Md I’m 1 3/8 right. So I cut the wafer to that size. When I place it around stoma, it does not line up right. I have it around stoma on top no skin showing but on bottom skin shows. And consequently it leaks in that area. Soooooo……what do I do? I really like the convetech two piece but the whole is too big for my aroma now. I have tried the rings but lord have mercy I have hardest time with them. I consistently break them and it’s just a pain in the stoma to work around it. Anyway, advice appreciated in how to work around it.

When you say the rings you've tried, do you mean the ones that are really pliable?

That you can pull into shape etc?

Might be worth persisting with them, try mould it around the base of the stoma the best you can?

Hope that you can find a solution to the leaks..

Best of luck

Be well

Tony

It’s ok to break the barrier ring, form it around your stoma and just “mush” it together so it’s closed up again. Eakin makes a stoma wrap that is a bigger ring with it already cut, you just mold it however you need.

As AlexT mentioned, try the Eakin stoma wrap. I use it and find it much easier to use and mold than the other barrier rings I’ve tried.

Hi,

When I do a change, I always start from the bottom of the stoma and hold out the wafer so that the opening is flush with the bottom of the stoma and the wafer sits flatly down there. I then press along the sides and then finish at the top. This allows my wafer to seat well at the bottom (where it's harder to see). I cut very tightly to my stoma size so the wafer surrounds it but if there's any gap it's at the top where it's less likely for the output to affect the adhesion, at least in my case.

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

First of all, your stoma is very new, and will probably change in size. Not all stomas are perfectly round. I don't know if you have a loop or end stoma, but if it's a loop, it will not be round. I have a loop ileostomy and my stoma is sort of like an uneven oval. I have learned to cut it to size, but it takes practice. If you don't like the barrier ring you are using, try other brands, the thinner, more flexible the better, and yes, cut them and smoosh the ends together as Alex said. The barrier ring will definitely help prevent leaks. Make sure your skin surface is perfectly dry and clean before applying the ring, and make sure the ring is fitting well around your stoma before applying the appliance, then hold in place with your whole hand for a couple of minutes to get the best seal. Practice makes perfect. You'll get there!

Terry

Just put the ring around you can just join the broken ends together or even overlap the ends. Stoma's come in shape and sizes and change at anytime even 40+ years after surgery I know its early days for you its good practice to measure your stoma every month no matter how long you've had one. My stoma is perfect circle just bragging 🤣 I've always been told its down to the skill of my surgeon why its perfectly round its the only thing he was good at then the mess he made of everything else 🤣

Thank y’all for the advice. I’m trying really hard to adjust to this new way of life. So far I’m not a fan but I know I will get there. They say I’m strong willed which is a polite way of saying I’m stubborn as all get out. 😜

What you’ll do is use two sizes on the paper size chart (the one that fits the stoma top to bottom and the one that fits side to side). Then, you will make these 4 dots or marks on your wafer with a pen (top, bottom, right side, left side). Then just connect the 4 dots to create your custom shape. I have an oval stoma and this is what I had to do. Once you get the confirmed right shape on your first one, just save the peel off film from the wafer and just use it as a template for then on so you don’t have to keep measuring each time. If your stoma ever changes shape or size again (because they do sometimes), just do the measuring thing again. I hope this makes sense.

MBlue has explained well. Measure top to bottom then measure left to right. Many stomas are oval shaped and require 2 measurements. It doesn't restrict your product selection.

Let me suggest the Adapt barrier rings. These are super squishy and you can't "break" them. They are almost like putty. Mold it around your stoma. It can be very tight; the ring won't hurt your stoma.

Bumnomor, you don't have to cut the hole round you can cut it oval, just do what mblue said.

And mold your seal around the stoma first, but make shore that the skin is very dry before doing anything.

Regards IGGIE

My pouch (one piece ConvaTec) has a clear cover. I used this clear cover by placing it over my stoma …pressing down on it, I then used a black marker to draw an outline of my stoma. It’s a great stencil for use in cutting the proper hole in the pouch…jb