This topic is about someone who recently had a urostomy and is experiencing issues with leaks when trying to replicate the setup they had in the hospital. They initially had success with Convatec products but are facing challenges with Coloplast products at home. Here are some helpful insights and advice for troubleshooting these issues:
1. Seek Professional Help:
- Reach out to wound/ostomy care nurses at local hospitals or contact suppliers like Hollister, Convatec, or Coloplast for sample kits and fitting advice.
- An ostomy nurse can help identify where leaks are occurring and suggest the right convex depth, ring thickness, and accessories.
2. Diagnose the Leak:
- When removing a failed wafer, check the back to see where the output is getting underneath.
- Determine if the issue is due to incorrect sizing around the stoma, skin folds, or insufficient convex pressure.
3. Consider Product and Technique Adjustments:
- If a minor convex barrier fails, try a deeper convex option. Convatec ActiveLife Deep Convex is known for being sturdy and less prone to melting.
- Use barrier paste or a moldable ring to fill in any dips or creases before applying the wafer.
- Some people start with a custom-shaped barrier ring around irregular stomas, then place a roll-open convex flange over it. Once the skin improves, they switch to pre-cut flanges.
- Hollister CeraRing moldable rings can be used with Convatec ActiveLife Deep Convex for a better seal.
- Remember, "½-moon" extenders are meant to keep edges from lifting and won't stop leaks under the wafer.
4. Embrace Trial-and-Error:
- Skin chemistry varies, so different materials from Convatec, Coloplast, and Hollister may work differently for each person. Try free samples of various convex depths and ring thicknesses to find a reliable combination.
5. General Reassurance:
- Early leakage issues are common, but with systematic troubleshooting and the right combination of products, achieving 5- to 7-day wear times is possible again.
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