The velcro tabs are so nice to have, but as you've discovered, they aren't on all outlets. 

For the most part, once the tab is folded back (as you open the outlet and drain your bag), it should stay put, but it often ends up getting soiled. This shouldn't create a huge issue if you wipe the outlet and tab really well. 

I was sent home with Assura bags, so I feel your pain. The Sensura and Mio bags should have the velcro (depending on the style you go with). 

My advice would be to use up what you've been given and look for a long-term solution when that's done. If you can't stand it (and I also dislike using appliances I don't love), grab a new system or sample new systems right away. 

That assura bag lasted three hours. The flange is so brittle and sharp along the edges! I thought I had sealed it correctly but after a couple hours I could look in one of the "humps" on the flange and I could clearly see the eakin ring. I tried to lift it up and reseal but a short while later I had a hump so large I could stick my pinky finger in to the ring. 

Fortunately i I had one more mio click bag left so I just swapped it out and felt MUCH better!

i think I'm just going to go down to Starkmans and find an opaque version of the bag I have now and just buy it and use it, as you suggested. An ET suggested that I use a convex AND a ekin ring (which I did and I think that's part of the reason it had a bad seal) so maybe I can get a convex base for the mio. 

Heres hoping

chris

I'm surprised they still use Assura as it is quite "primitive" as far as appliances go. I had a hellova time with the sharp edges! 

Good luck. It'll probably take some experimentation before you find a perfect solution. 

The sensura mio has a convex wafer option. I use the convex wafer with a slim, eakin ring. I'm also experimenting with the relatively new coloplast brava protective ring, slim. Supposedly leaves less residue on your skin when you remove it,  but so far,  that ring is mighty tough to get off for me.

Even though I was told I should use convex wafers, I bought a 5 pack of regular wafers for the sensura mio. I'm not recessed, I just only stick out about half to three quarters of an inch. Anyway, I'm going to try them.

interesting observation when I bought my new wafers.  The ones the hospital are HUGE compared to the ones I bought. Same brand but much larger in diameter. I haven't had a leak or anything close with these huge wafers.  I think the hospital ones went up to 70mm stoma and that's why they are so large. Mine is only 35mm and so is considerably smaller. But.. the 70mm wafer has a cut out mark for my 35mm - so I CAN use it.  I'm wondering if maybe these huge wafers have more adhesive and would last longer? Maybe I should be using them. I haven't tried one of the new smaller ones yet but this might be an experiment I'll try if these small ones start leaking more

I am excited to try this new opaque bag. So far I've only been using transparent bags and grossing everyone out.

Anyway, I'm interested in thoughts on the wafer size re longevity possibilities.

There are 2 diameters to consider when talking about the wafer - one is the diameter of the hole through which the stoma protrudes, and the other is the diameter of plastic-like ring surrounding the interior part of the wafer and stoma hole. Companies recommend a wafer size (the plastic ring part) based on the diameter of your stoma. So, if you have a "small" stoma (as measured by those little paper guides that come packaged with the wafers), they will suggest a small diameter wafer ring. In my case, my stoma measures only 5/8", so the recommended wafer size is approximately 44mm or 1.75". That being said, you can opt for a larger ring size like 57mm (2.25") if that works better for you. Some of my osteo acquaintances have done this because the somewhat larger size ring works better with the disposable pouch liner bags they use.

How far out your stoma protrudes had little to do with the size of the wafer you order, but everything to do with convexity. The less your stoma protrudes, the more likely you are to develop leaks. My stoma protrudes less than 1". The stoma and gut  are always moving around and  contracting  and  expanding, so it's possible  for a  "short" stoma like mine to actually retract itself temporarily below the skin surface. When it does so, stool can leak out under the wafer. Switching to a convex wafer can help eliminate the issue.

So, to recap: small diameter stoma equals small wafer ring size. Short protruding stoma means considering a convex wafer if you have leakage.

Thanks. :) I guess I may be trying the convex wafers then. I have five of the regular ones to burn through.. the bags I got definitely have a smaller ring of which you spoke. 

Can I ask you what number your bags and convex wafers are?

the bags I got are 11472 and the wafers are 10512. Do you think I'd be able to find a convex wafer to fit my 11472 bags or does it not work like that? Ie I'd have to buy some special bags to fit the convex wafers?

Your  pouch and wafer must be matching models by the same company. In other words,  you can't use a Hollister pouch on a coloplast wafer, or a convatec wafer with a coloplast bag, etc. And, within a single company's products, you have to make sure your wafer is compatible with the pouch. Not all pouches made by a single company attach to the various wafers they make. If you are unsure of what goes with what, it might be easiest to select a pouch style you like, then call the company and have them tell you which wafers you can use. Also, request free samples! You will get tons to try.  Keep notes of likes and dislikes along with company name and model numbers.

This is a Hollister semi-transparent, pouch with a 57mm diameter ...  #18133.

This is the Hollister convex wafer that fits that pouch .... 11403.

This is Coloplasts sensura mio 2-piece click pouch, 2" (about 57mm) ... 11472

This is the  corresponding convex wafer .... 16911

Posted by: Chris

interesting observation when I bought my new wafers.  The ones the hospital are HUGE compared to the ones I bought. Same brand but much larger in diameter.  

They tend to opt for a "one-size-fits-all" solution to save money, although it's not usually the best appliance for everyone. Large wafers for me were problematic at the beginning because they would go over my cut line.

You might find that large wafers offer more support (because they have a greater surface area) and may indirectly help to prevent leaks because of that support, but it won't stop the wafer from eroding near your stoma, which has very little to with the size of the wafer itself.