This topic is about a creative and cost-effective way to make your own barrier rings for ostomy care. Instead of buying pre-formed rings, you can use 4"x4" skin barrier sheets and cut them into rings yourself. Here are some helpful tips and insights on how to do this:

1. The idea came from an ostomy nurse who suggested this method to help with frequent leaks caused by a large parastomal hernia. You can cut a donut shape from the sheet, the size of or slightly smaller than your pouch flange, and even stack a thin commercial ring on top for extra thickness if needed.

2. These 4"x4" sheets are sticky only on the side that touches your skin. The pouch or flange should be applied to the non-sticky side.

3. If you're frustrated with commercial moldable rings that break apart, you might find that returning to using Stomahesive 4"x4" sheets for DIY rings works well, as some users have found them effective in the past.

4. Cost and insurance considerations:
- Making your own rings can save money and help if your insurance doesn’t cover a one-to-one ratio of wafers to barrier rings.

5. Performance considerations:
- Any material that sticks to both your skin and the wafer, molds snugly around the stoma, and doesn’t dissolve quickly in output can work as a barrier ring.
- Some sheets, like those from Coloplast, are adhesive on only one side, so make sure this fits your routine.
- Some people may not tolerate silicone rings or Coloplast sheets but do well with Coloplast Brava moldable rings.

6. Practical tips:
- If you still experience leaks, try placing a slim commercial ring on top of your DIY ring to improve the seal.
- Ensure the non-adhesive side of the cut ring faces the pouch to ensure it sticks properly.