The topic at hand is about dealing with a retracted or recessed ileostomy stoma. This situation can be a bit concerning, especially if you're new to living with a stoma. A retracted stoma is when the stoma pulls back into the abdomen, making it less visible or even invisible. Here's some advice and insights from others who have experienced similar situations:

1. Retraction and peristalsis are normal:
- It's normal for the intestine to stretch and contract, a process known as peristalsis. This means your stoma might protrude, flatten, or even disappear at different times of the day.
- Many people have reported this "up-and-down" or "innie" behavior, noting that the stoma often lies flatter while sleeping.

2. When to be concerned:
- If the retraction comes with pain, swelling, or if the output stops, it's important to contact your surgeon as it might indicate a blockage.
- One person found that eating too quickly and not chewing food well enough led to an obstruction, which caused excessive retraction. Once the blockage was cleared, the retraction issue improved.

3. Skin protection is critical:
- It's important to ensure that stool does not come into contact with the skin around the stoma, as irritation can happen quickly when the stoma is flush with the abdomen.

4. Appliance tips for recessed/retracted stomas:
- Consider using a convex baseplate or wafer, which can help gently push the stoma outward and improve the seal.
- Pairing the convex wafer with an Eakin Cohesive Seal, molded snugly around the stoma opening, can be effective. Applying hand heat and pressure for 10–15 minutes helps set the seal.
- Some people found that Brava seals led to frequent leaks and skin irritation, while Eakin seals provided more reliable adhesion.
- There might be a learning curve, so patience and guidance from an experienced stoma nurse can be very helpful.

5. General reassurance:
- Many people live comfortably with retracted or fluctuating stomas. It's important to relax and understand that this movement means your bowel is functioning as it should.