Topic Explanation:
The forum topic is about a user's concern regarding the fit of their ostomy bag after changing it for the first time themselves. They are worried about the fit being too snug and potentially harming their stoma. They seek advice on how to ensure the right fit for their ostomy bag.
Advice and Insights:
- Use a convex appliance with a protective ring to absorb moisture from high output.
- Cut the flange about 1/8-1/4 away from the stoma.
- Use a stoma ring template provided by bag manufacturers to cut the required hole in the baseplate.
- Use the backing plate from the base to put around the stoma to check for a nice fit with a small gap around the edge of the stoma.
- Create a template using thin cardboard or clear rigid plastic to ensure consistent sizing for the barrier opening.
- Keep a template from a previous barrier to use for future cuttings, as the stoma may change shape over time.
- Use a precut convex ring and an Eakin seal, slightly larger than the stoma, for a good fit.
- When cutting the hole in the barrier, set it over the stoma before removing the clear protective layer to check the fit, ensuring a 1/16" gap between the stoma and the barrier all the way around.
- Use a cutter with the required ring size if a precut ring is not available.
- Keep track of the barrier change dates to monitor the frequency of changes and adjust for any stoma changes.
Conclusion:
The forum provided valuable insights and advice on ensuring the right fit for an ostomy bag, including techniques for cutting the flange, using templates, and selecting the appropriate accessories for a good fit.
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