This topic is about a person with a colostomy who is experimenting with extending the time between changing their colostomy wafer. The goal is to find the longest safe wear time and reduce the cost of supplies. Here are some insights and advice based on their experience:

- They started by changing the wafer every 3 days and gradually increased to 5, 7, 10, and most recently 12 days using a Hollister 11204 2-piece wafer.
- Throughout these trials, they showered with the bag on, cycled 100 miles over 5 days, and wore several NU-Hope hernia support belts.
- After 12 days, the wafer’s fabric tape, Brava moldable barrier ring, and seal remained intact. The skin and stoma looked healthy, and hair removal was easy.
- There were no leaks or odors, and the output was firm, which is typical for a colostomy.
- The motivation for extending wear time includes the cost of supplies and personal preference.

Additional observations and practices include:

- After removing the wafer, they noticed only mild irritation at the bottom of the stoma, which was treated with stoma powder, 3M Cavilon swab wipes, and Cavilon barrier film.
- They use Hollister M9 Lubricating & Deodorizing Drops in every pouch and often snap on a fresh bag after showers for convenience.
- Brava moldable rings, costing around $60 for a box of 10, are their preferred seal.
- They are considering a surgical stoma revision to reduce protrusion.
- They use NU-Hope hernia belts in 2-, 3-, and 4-inch models, ordered from the NU-Hope website and The Parthenon Company, with a belt opening sized to a 3¼-inch flange.

Advice and insights from others include:

1. Wear-time limits are personal:
- Some ileostomates comfortably wear their wafer for 7–8 days, while one person managed 14 days but experienced a nighttime leak.
- Another person sticks to a 7-day routine for ease of remembering and trouble-free wear.

2. Odor can be a sign that it’s time to change the wafer, even before leakage or itching occurs.

3. Frequent wafer removal can irritate the skin around the stoma, so longer intervals might actually improve skin condition.

4. Many people change the bag more frequently than the wafer for convenience, as bags rarely wear out.

5. If redness occurs under a barrier ring, it might be necessary to shorten the wear time or eliminate the ring if the appliance seals well without it.

6. Adhesive remover needs vary:
- Hairier or heavier individuals might need sprays or wipes, while those with a slight build might lift wafers easily without solvent.

7. Successful product combinations include:
- Hollister 2-piece systems, Hollister 11204 wafer, and Hollister M9 Drops.
- Coloplast/Brava moldable rings and Coloplast barriers.
- 3M Cavilon swab wipes and Cavilon barrier film for skin protection.
- NU-Hope belts (2", 3", 4") for hernia support or abdominal contouring.

8. In Ontario, Canada, the Assistive Devices Program provides CA $950 per year, and some private or retiree plans cover 80% of any remaining balance, helping to keep out-of-pocket costs low.