Rubber Auto Gasket May Solve Stoma Seal Leakage Problem: A Mechanical Stress/Pressure Issue
I found an auto gasket the exact diameter of my stoma wafer seal; kind of a giant "o-ring" about a 1/4 inch thick that I just place over/around the bag and directly over where the bag snaps in over the seal. The idea is to place additional, direct pressure just where it is needed without interfering with the output/flow from the stoma itself. Without this extra help, the wafer or faceplate has a tendency to return to its original "flat" shape after the seal is replaced, pull away from the abdominal skin, thereby permitting the leakage of acidic waste into the skin underneath, and also outside of the seal prematurely, causing additional skin irritation/damage, not to mention embarrassment.
The curvature of the abdomen around the area of the stoma must be taken into account here (unless you are fortunate enough to have flat, "washboard abs" to begin with, or can find stoma faceplate wafers with the exact, prefabricated curvature angle for your "belly bulge").
A discarded faceplate wafer may also be used instead, but it is probably better to find an actual rubber gasket the right diameter (hole) and perhaps 1/2 inch thick. Then you just hold it in place until you secure your ostomy belt or pants belt over it from the outside, so that constant, even pressure is kept where it is needed, especially when you bend, exercise, lift objects, or perform other activities that would otherwise place stress upon the abdomen and weaken the seal before the end of the week when you would intentionally change it.
The only thing to remember is to re-position the gasket whenever you are finished draining the ostomy bag and tightening your pants belt over it.
This is my first week using this, and so far, it is holding up well; no "accidents" or noticeable leakage so far. Logically, this should also greatly reduce the skin irritation and damage as well over time.
