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Posted 1/16/2012 8:15 AM (GMT -6)
I am very confused about the SureSeal rings and how they work.  Does this go over the wafer but not over the pouch?   are they used just during showering and do they cover the stoma?  Sorry if this is stupid question, but can someone explain the use of these rings?

Thanks!!

Posted 1/16/2012 10:31 AM (GMT -6)
They are a sticky clear plastic -- sort of like saran wrap but with adhesive on one side. They go over the wafer and hold it down (and can also contain leaks). Once you put it on, you don't (usually) take it off until you change the wafer -- it stays there whether you're showering or not.

The plastic breathes. It's really a lot like the tegaderm clear plastic that Brandon probably had a lot of times when he had IV's....

The sure seal comes with a paper backing on one side and a plastic backing on the other. AFter cutting it to size, you peel off the plastic backing and place it where you want it.... then you gently peel off the paper backing, and what's left is just the clear plastic on the skin.

It is a little confusing at first..... would be good if someone made a video. I don't see one up there..... maybe I'll get ambitious and make one....

But just think of it as the equivalent of taping around the wafer.... it's just a tighter, better shaped, kind of tape to hold down the wafer better.

hope this helps..... ask more questions if it's still confusing...
Posted 1/16/2012 11:29 AM (GMT -6)
I found that if I try to take mine off it takes the wafer too, so I wouldn't try that. You may have to cut and paste some to get a complete seal all around, after 3 years I still do! But they are so worth it.
Something I think makes it easier I roll the bag into a little ball and wrap tape all around it so it won't be in the way.
Posted 1/16/2012 11:53 AM (GMT -6)

Blueglass explained them very well :-)   Summerstorm, is that how you apply for a 1-piece appliance?

I couldn't find a video, either.  But, the website for the company has a ''how to apply'' pictoral.  I will post the addy for both.  For the pictoral, you have to start with #1 and follow the arrows around clockwise.  It took me a while to figure that out [it's Monday]. 

http://www.alpglobal.com/

http://www.alpglobal.com/images/ALPBrochurep2.pdf


I really, really like them and use the larger square one.   Opsite Flexifix tape will do the same thing, but you have to ''picture frame'' the wafer yourself with 4 strips.  Sure Seals fit perfectly over the wafer with one application and they look much neater.

Posted 1/16/2012 3:04 PM (GMT -6)
Once I switched to a one piece, I had to change how I apply my Sure Seal. I cut the center hole out a little larger, and then cut a slit in the top from the center out to the edge so I can open that and place it around my wafer. One more small cut out so my belly button isn't covered, and I'm ready to apply.

I've never tried to take it off outside of a pouch change, but when I do it during a change, it lifts the edge of the wafer and stuff so I wouldn't try to remove it unless you were looking to replace the wafer, too.
Posted 1/16/2012 3:29 PM (GMT -6)
Yes what the others said. I was going to answer, but blueglass is always on top of it!
I know with the size of my wafer and the sure seals it can be a little tricky to get on. I also normally have to trim some off, otherwise it would cover my belly button. When I put it on, since it's a tight fit, I slide the bottom underneith the plastic part of my wafer, pull up and push the plastic peice around the top. Kinda hard to explain but once you try it you will understand. Or you can always widen the middle.
Another good thing I like about them is if you have a leak outside the pouch, you can just wipe it off and it won't damage the wafer.
Posted 1/16/2012 4:35 PM (GMT -6)
Just wanted to add that I have had a few times (mostly when it's hot and humid in the summer) where the sure seal irritated my skin in places. I was able to roll it up off most of the skin. I left it attached to the wafer, so I didn't pull the wafer off. This is hard to explain too -- but agree w/the others, you don't want to try to take the sure seal all the way off or it'll take off the wafer, but you can get it off part of your skin if it's irritated.

I also have to avoid pubic skin ... even shaved, my skin there just doesn't like them.... with the location of my stoma and size of my wafer, that means I don't get much coverage on the bottom, but I haven't had many leaks for a while, and it'll catch leaks on the sides, which is mostly where I've had them.
Posted 1/16/2012 5:01 PM (GMT -6)

I have used the Sure Seals now to extend my wafer time to 1 week since it is most convenient to change the outfit every Sunday AM., after my morning shower. However, with my heavy output I still end up changing the bag only during the week so it doesn't smell so bad.

I wear a hernia belt and slap it on right after I put the Sure Seal and bag on to warm up the paper backing so it easily comes off.

My question is: My finger nails are not good because of years of Imuran causing nail fungus and  when I go to finding a loose edge to peal it off, I end up creating a sore when I go start the removal process. I've tried using the adhesive removing patches to loosen it but with no finger nails, it's still a chore. Any solutions here?

Dave D

Posted 1/16/2012 9:16 PM (GMT -6)
I wear a 2 piece so I don't know how you put it on with a 1 piece.
Dave I keep the top of my bag taped to my stomach and when I pull the tape off the seal comes off.
Posted 1/16/2012 11:16 PM (GMT -6)
Dave- I use a pair of surgical scissors to cut my wafer to fit and also to trim the sure seal a little bit. So after I put it on, backing and everything, I open up the scissors and stick one part under the sure seal (closest part to stoma) and make a small slit. Then I start pealing and the backing usually comes off right away. Makes it pretty easy instead of fumbling with your finger nails.
If you cant picture it, I can take a pic as an example if you would like.
Posted 1/17/2012 10:40 AM (GMT -6)
Have wear 2 piece, had a ruff time with seals at first. First tried making a slit in the middle to stretch over the stoma area before putting on bad, but didn't work well. Then I would cut the hole bigger, made a difference. Then I read here that someone was cutting them in half and applying. So I did that and application was soo much easier because of it's stickness, you can control it's application if in sections. I have a bigger dip by my incision, that is where I mostly leak from, so I then started using only half of the seal for that side...worked great!

Haven't used them in some time. I was getting couple of extra days wear time with them, and if it started to leak, was contained very well until changing.
Posted 1/17/2012 10:51 AM (GMT -6)
Dave
When you put the sure-seal on can you tuck a little bit underneath to leave a flap that is not stuck to your skin? Something to get a hold of to remove.

Dan
Posted 1/17/2012 11:32 AM (GMT -6)
Cutting them does make it much easier, it also cuts down on the cutting and pasting for later!
Posted 1/17/2012 11:34 AM (GMT -6)
Actually summerstorm, I think I got that idea from you!!
Posted 1/17/2012 2:19 PM (GMT -6)
Dave, I paid attention when I applied a new sure seal today, and mostly I didn't use my fingernails at all -- I only did at the end, when I was using a tiny piece as a patch, and it was hard to get things off of that. But for the rest, I cut them in half, and the plastic side is easy to get off as it's got tabs.... after the sure stuck to me, the top just kind of peeled off. I think the sharp corner from the cut helped.
Posted 1/18/2012 7:29 AM (GMT -6)
I think maybe his trouble is in getting ahold of an edge when he is ready to remove the sure seal. That part can be tricky. Dan's suggestion to fold a small spot under is a great one.
Posted 1/18/2012 6:56 PM (GMT -6)
Making a small tab in say a corner by folding it over is a great idea! Sort of like when I finish using pastic or scotch tape I'll fold the end over sticky side to sticky side so I know it won't stick.
I'm going to try it on my next change, Thanks everybody!
Dave D
Posted 1/18/2012 7:17 PM (GMT -6)
Oops, I read the problem wrong, glad others were more on the ball -- hope it works (sounds like it should).
Posted 1/18/2012 8:35 PM (GMT -6)
Dave
Tell me about Scleritis. I have an eye inflamation ongoing since January 2010.

Dan
Posted 1/19/2012 9:17 AM (GMT -6)
New thread started entitled "Scleritis."
Dave D
Posted 1/19/2012 4:55 PM (GMT -6)
WOW.....I wish I would have known about the sure seal. I had so many problems keeping my bag on. The best thing that finally worked for me was the belt and then the abdomen binder over it. I'm so glad I no longer have the bag (take down was 3 weeks ago). However everything is a challenge, I have terrible diarrhea that we are trying to control right now. Ugggghhh.
Posted 1/19/2012 7:03 PM (GMT -6)
I'm so glad I read about the Sure Seals on this site! They have made more confident having an ostomy in my day to day activities.
Posted 1/19/2012 7:05 PM (GMT -6)
@amused,

Love your screen name!  I guess it does take a good sense of humor to get through all of this!

My 14 yr old son is scheduled for his takedown surgery on March 16.  He has had many complications from first two surgeries ( he is having 3 stages).  I would love to know how it has been going for you so far.  I am wondering if he will be able to go back to school after the takedown surgery.   If you want to email me directly I can be reached at pamelabeck09@comcast.net. 

Hope you are doing well!!

Posted 1/20/2012 7:48 AM (GMT -6)
Amused...before hubby's surgery and because he was anticipating a j-pouch we were mentored by a sweet guy who has had a j-pouch for about 24 years at that time. One of the things he stressed was using a barrier cream (desitin in his case) each and every time after going to the bathroom regardless of how many times that might be especially in the beginning. You want to really cut down on the irritation (butt burn) to be as comfortable as possible.

Even though it would have been about 4 months after surgery I went into research mode to try to find small size tubes for hubby to have on him when he would be out and about and didn't have much luck. As it turned out the j-pouch was not meant to be and I abandoned the search. I tried making my own in one ounce flexible travel bottles..very difficult to get something that thick squeezed into one of those....lol.
Posted 1/20/2012 8:00 AM (GMT -6)
The sure seal rings we got and have on hand but they are a bugger to get off especially. I primarily got them for hubby to try and to mainly use for swimming/vacation etc. as he does not need them for a day to day basis.

He now uses a one piece unit and I had to make a template to modify the center circle that is precut on the sure seal itself as it scrunches the pouch a bit. I trace the template onto sure seal first and I also needed to cut a little V type notch so it would not cover the belly button area.

They are easier/faster to use on a 2 piece system I found.

But overall my husband's skin doesn't seem to like these so after a few tries we kind of gave up on them. We may try again when the warmer weather comes and we experiment with the pool using various techniques to see what works the best. We go to Aruba for 2 weeks each year (didn't last year while he was recuperating) and are in and out of the pool and the ocean and I want (hope) him to be able to not skip a beat and enjoy the water. The cruise we took in Nov. there was only one time we went to the beach and he ended up NOT going into the water as I think he was still a bit unsure and it was a long walk back to the ship.

Sooooooooo we need to work on this as I don't want to see him inhibited and just laying around on a chaise lounge when he should be in the water enjoying it like everyone else.

The adhesive remover wipes certainly help removing them ONCE YOU GET IT STARTED so the suggestion to fold over a tiny piece is a good one so long as it does not compromise the total seal.

I think they are recommended to only be used between 4-7 days max.
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