This topic is about a new ostomate who is experiencing some challenges with their ostomy pouch adhesion, especially after showering. They are looking for advice on how to improve the situation and wondering if their current experience is typical. Here are some helpful insights and tips:

1. **Understanding Wear-Time**:
- The average wear time for an ostomy pouch is typically 3–4 days. Many people change their pouch every 2–4 days, while some can go up to 7–10 days depending on factors like skin condition, activity level, and the type of product used.
- It's normal to have shorter wear times during the early healing phase as your skin and stoma adjust.

2. **Preparing Your Skin and Wafer**:
- Use a soap that is free of fragrances, lotions, and oils, such as Cetaphil, to clean the area. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Make sure the skin around your stoma is completely dry and free of any residue. Adhesive-remover wipes can help with this.
- Warm the wafer by holding it against your body or using a hair dryer on low heat before applying it. Press it firmly for about 60 seconds and use the dryer again to help the adhesive set.
- Wearing a stoma belt for the first hour can help the wafer adhere better.

3. **Products for Uneven Skin**:
- Use moldable barrier rings, wax rings, or paste to fill in any creases, which can help the wafer seal more effectively.
- Soft convex wafers can provide a tighter seal if your stoma tends to flatten.
- Consider using products like Brava Elastic Tape, Ease Strips, or waterproof tapes to secure the edges of the wafer, especially when showering or swimming.

4. **Enhancing Adhesion**:
- Skin Tac wipes, Mastisol, or benzoin compound tincture can be applied to increase the adhesive's tackiness.
- Medical adhesive sprays can also help, and Cavilon No-Sting Barrier Film can protect irritated skin.

5. **Showering Tips**:
- Some people prefer to shower without the pouch and catch any output with a paper cup or towel. If you keep the system on:
- Use a handheld shower head to avoid direct spray on the wafer, or shield the top edge with your arm.
- Cover the pouch with plastic wrap or a commercial shower guard, securing it with waterproof tape.
- After showering, pat the pouch dry and use a hair dryer on low to ensure it's completely dry.
- Avoid letting shampoo or conditioner run over the wafer, as residues can affect adhesion.

6. **Trying New Products**:
- Reach out to manufacturers for free samples of different products like soft convex wafers and barrier rings.
- It's normal to try different products in the first few months to find what works best for you.

7. **Additional Tips**:
- Desiccant packets can be taped to the top of the pouch to absorb moisture.
- For swimming, use barrier extenders or strips to keep the edges sealed.
- Silicone sheets like ScarAway can help with the cosmetic healing of long incisions.

These tips and products can help manage adhesion issues and make showering more comfortable for new ostomates.