Hi
I’ve been on HW a long time.
I had UC for 20 years now I have a bag and they found “c” so radiation and chemo soon.
My stoma is rather flat to my skin to I’m trying to find a bag that will help prevent leaks around the stoma and my bag.
Barrier rings maybe the key.
Or a convex bag.
Can anyone provide some advice.
Thanks
UC since '05, Asacol HD, Rowasa .
Hi! Read that you are feeling better on the other forum... And was so very glad to read it. It is ironic how hard we fight and struggle to not have surgery and yet after we have surgery some of us find some relief. I hope you continue to grow stronger and healthier.
On the irritated skin: when you change your bag, wipe around your stoma and clean it really well, then use the "puff powder" to place a layer of powder all the way around the stoma, then use skin protection wipes to wet it down, while still sorta wet looking, sprinkle with powder again, wet it again, sprinkle and wet it down for a 3rd time. You are just getting it tacky....like super think pudding sitting there....thick enough to stay in place and not run. Use a hair dryer on cool to dry it...it will change to a lighter color. I never point it directly at my stoma....I feel pain when I do that... you may not though. I then use a barrier ring and place it very very close to the edge of my stomach. (Careful here, some barriers sorta swell and if they are too close to your stoma they will sorta squeeze it. My stoma refuses to work if it has something even slightly squeezing it. It's a trial.and error learning curve. I know when its too tight because I first get a slight headache, then a slightly nauseated feeling that just sorta blows over me....it doesn't stick around the first time....it sorta saying....hey you did it wrong ...then if I ignore it my headache gets worse and the nausea comes back stronger ...then I have to redo the whole bag. LOL ... So just be aware and know that you will learn a lot about your stoma in the up coming months. After the puff powder, protective wipes around powder, then some more around where the rest of the area where your appliance will rest, allow to dry, then apply barrier ring, then your appliance or bag and then I use "C" strips to give it further "hold power". My friend just slaps her bag on without all the extra stuff and she doesn't seem to have any issues. So remember everyone is different.
On the flatness, the barrier rings help protect my skin plus when I put the bag on I sorta push them in and that helps the stoma not be so flat on the skin. Sometimes I have to use a "light or soft" convex bag and sometimes I have to use the barrier rings plus a rigid convex bag. I use 2 piece bags sets alot, however I also have some coloplast and convex one piece convex bags that are flatter to carry in my purse...and they feel different ...almost like not wearing anything ...
If you have leaks, they make these "C" rings. They fit half way around your appliance base and pull it tight. I use two of them. That extra barrier strip holds you bag on and it seems to help me when I am having any leaks. It gives me that extra time to fix everything.
If you have any questions please just let me know.
Clo
On the irritated skin: when you change your bag, wipe around your stoma and clean it really well, then use the "puff powder" to place a layer of powder all the way around the stoma, then use skin protection wipes to wet it down, while still sorta wet looking, sprinkle with powder again, wet it again, sprinkle and wet it down for a 3rd time. You are just getting it tacky....like super think pudding sitting there....thick enough to stay in place and not run. Use a hair dryer on cool to dry it...it will change to a lighter color. I never point it directly at my stoma....I feel pain when I do that... you may not though. I then use a barrier ring and place it very very close to the edge of my stomach. (Careful here, some barriers sorta swell and if they are too close to your stoma they will sorta squeeze it. My stoma refuses to work if it has something even slightly squeezing it. It's a trial.and error learning curve. I know when its too tight because I first get a slight headache, then a slightly nauseated feeling that just sorta blows over me....it doesn't stick around the first time....it sorta saying....hey you did it wrong ...then if I ignore it my headache gets worse and the nausea comes back stronger ...then I have to redo the whole bag. LOL ... So just be aware and know that you will learn a lot about your stoma in the up coming months. After the puff powder, protective wipes around powder, then some more around where the rest of the area where your appliance will rest, allow to dry, then apply barrier ring, then your appliance or bag and then I use "C" strips to give it further "hold power". My friend just slaps her bag on without all the extra stuff and she doesn't seem to have any issues. So remember everyone is different.
On the flatness, the barrier rings help protect my skin plus when I put the bag on I sorta push them in and that helps the stoma not be so flat on the skin. Sometimes I have to use a "light or soft" convex bag and sometimes I have to use the barrier rings plus a rigid convex bag. I use 2 piece bags sets alot, however I also have some coloplast and convex one piece convex bags that are flatter to carry in my purse...and they feel different ...almost like not wearing anything ...
If you have leaks, they make these "C" rings. They fit half way around your appliance base and pull it tight. I use two of them. That extra barrier strip holds you bag on and it seems to help me when I am having any leaks. It gives me that extra time to fix everything.
If you have any questions please just let me know.
Clo
Post Edited (clo2014) : 9/16/2025 10:17:56 PM (GMT-4)