Greetings to all my ostimate family out there. I have a question especially for all those do-it-yourselfers out there. On the left side of the forum pages, there is an ad for helping to get an almost perfect seal around your stoma. You know that little part of the flange that surrounds your stoma, and you can't get your fingers in there and achieve equal pressure all around that narrow strip at the same time. The company is called STOMAPLEX, and the simple gadget they have come up with is a piece of soft, moldable plastic of some sort, and it's hollow so it slips over the stoma. All you have to do is hold it down for about ten seconds, and it will give you a perfect seal. As most leaks start at the stoma where there is even a tiny opening, and this is especially true with ileostomies. After watching this ad a couple of times, I got to thinking surely someone can come up with something almost as good, especially people who work with clear plastic hose. So keep an eye out on the left side of the pages and have a look at what they have come up with. I've already thought of a few ways to mimic this simple apparatus, but I would like to hear from someone else to see what they can come up with. I know that there is no more than a few cents worth of materials in this gadget, and it just bugs the hell out of me to have to pay $25.00 for one, even if it is a good gadget to help stop leaks from happening. EQUALIZER. Ed
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Hello Mr. Gutenburg,
I believe you are right, there are many substitutions for that device. The first thing that came to mind is a small thick glass, such as a shot glass. I would bet everyone has something around their house that would work in place of the "equalizer". I will let you know what I find to try. Good luck! Larry
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In both of my cases, I had no choice. It was surgery or be put 6 feet under! I thank God that He has been with me all these times. Without Him, I never would have known what to do and might not have gone to the hospital when I did. I don't know if you have had your surgery or not yet but I hope you will hang out on this website when you are done. I have learned a great deal through the people here and it is so great having others who have had the same thing done and been through what you are about to or have gone through. The only thing I have turned down is a reversal of the ileostomy. When the doctors did the emergency rebuilding of my original ileostomy this last February, I told them I did not want to go through this again. My doctor told me at that time that I was no longer a candidate for the reversal. In a way, I was very relieved. The last three years of my life have been a nightmare for me. I do not want to go through any of it again. If you wish to be rehooked up and they say you are a good choice for that, research it carefully. Every surgery I have ever had except for Old and New Maxine and the emergency surgery on my broken foot, I have spent weeks researching. I recently had my C5 C6 disk in my neck replaced with an artificial one. I went to my pre-op with 2 pages of questions for the doctor. I knew everything that they were going to do and could talk intelligently with them. I always try to research my adversaries! Don't cancel your surgery. It is nice not to have to suffer any longer with horrible pain. We all had to change a few things around when we had our surgeries but in the long run, most of us are glad we did it. I know I am. Good luck to you!
Hi Larry, and thanks for that idea. It just happens I have a shot glass right in front of me and my caliper, and the shot glass has a 1 3/4 inch opening, and I'm sure that size would work for people with a larger stoma. In my case, I needed a 1 1/2 inch OD. After going around my shed, I found a piece of ABS that worked pretty well, I think, but it would be better if the plastic was just a shade thicker, like in a shot glass. Good idea there, Larry. I found out with the black pipe I couldn't tell that something was escaping until it was too late, sh#t, now with a shot glass it couldn't get out, so a much better idea. I think I'll walk around with my caliper in my pocket for a while. So, I thank you for a good idea, Ed
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Learn all about skin barrier extenders.
Eddie, it shows you're a thinking gal. The only problem is, and I hate to admit it, but I don't know the difference between ABS and PVC. Maybe somebody could enlighten me, Ed.
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How to Stay Hydrated with an Ostomy with Collin | Hollister
Hi Gutenberg, why not just get a larger size wafer? I know the reps say that if your stoma is this size, you need such and such size wafer to fit properly, but I don't believe that because I've tried using the smaller recommended size and it made no difference for me. Or just go to your local hardware store and browse the pipe fitting aisle. Good luck, Ron in Mich.
PS: Bring your calipers.
I use an empty pill bottle that just fits around the stoma. I am sure you can find something around the house that will do it for you.
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PS: ron in michigan, I have flanges that are larger and even with the seals I was still getting the leaks, maybe bad batches, but all leaks have to start from around the stoma. Thanks for your input, i appreciate all the replies. We ostimates gotta stick together.
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Hi Ed,
I thought you were talking about the flanges and the skin sticking together. Where did us ostomates sticking together get into the mix? Because I am thinking a hot sticky day would be best for that.
Take care
Noguts
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
Take care my friend, Ed
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What about the old-time black film case we used to use when we would send out pictures to get developed?
Some of these ideas will be useful to some as there are many different sizes.
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