Hi Kyle, I don’t use that system but when I put my bag on the wafer I place the edge of the ring on the bag on the bottom of the wafer ring and run my fingers up each side. To make sure the wafer is sealed around the stoma I run a q tip around. Hope this helps 

Thanks for the advice John! I will have to give the q-tip a shot next time. The way you are describing how you put the pouch on is the way that I've always done it so not sure what gives with this setup.

@kyle89

Some people do have trouble with those but try John's suggestion and make sure that the lock on the appliance is opened before you try snapping the two sides together.

Hollister's floating flange makes things so much easier to snap together!  

I think that's sound advice, thanks Eric! I did make sure the lock was open so thankfully I wasn't fighting against that as well. I think I am so used to the multiple "snap" points that Hollister's couplings have that I was not using great technique for this one and just expecting it to work the same way. I grabbed another flange and held it against my stomach to practice with a new bag. It seemed like it was a bit easier this time so who knows, maybe it will be less of an issue next time!

I have some samples and have the same problem.  It is hard to align the openings and then it is a really tight fit, even with the locking mechanism all the way open.  I do like the bags, though.  Another thing I don't like so much about is that the adhesive REALLY sticks to my skin.  It is pretty hard for me to get off when time to change.  I'm new enough at this to be still not sure which products I really prefer, but I'm leaning toward Hollister.    

Glenn,

It's interesting you mentioned having an issue with the stickiness of the adhesive. I actually feel like it doesn't stick quite as well as the Hollister products do (at least along the outer edges), but it's lacking the tape border to which I am so accustomed. Today is my first day with this system so we'll see how it goes from a leak and skin health perspective. I'm hoping it works out since I started having odor issues with the Hollister 2-piece system after my second surgery (incidentally the 1-piece Hollister Premier pouch does not have that issue). But I really like the flexibility of a 2-piece and the ability to fit it with a support belt. Best of luck to you in deciding on the right product!

Thanks! Same to you , Kyle!

@kyle89

Hey Kyle,

I had the exact same issues as you, both with the difficulty closing the Mio Click as well as with Hollister odor. 

I really struggled with the Mio for the first few changes and yes, it was painful over healing incisions. But then it sort of just clicked. Ahahaha. 
But seriously, I do just as John describes and run my fingers from 6 o’clock to 12 on both sides after hooking the bottom on first (if that makes sense). I find I can do it with significantly less pressure than before. 

In terms of Hollister odor, I used their 2 piece in the hospital and for the first month after surgery. No issues. When I reordered, they had changed the composition of the transparent bag due to environmental concerns with the original. The new bags were more crinkle-y and I detected odor after a couple of days of wear despite no leaks. So I switched to coloplast Mio which I now much prefer for Many reasons. Fabric, more compact, slick spout design, and no smell after 5 days. 

i recently had the misfortune to be re-hospitalized with an SBO and only had a Hollister pouch with me and I was reminded again of the odor that leaches from them (at least from mine!). Whatever works for you is the best though. I can almost guarantee you will get used to the Mio click after a few applications. Good luck. 

Hi

 I've after trying several bag with a lot of different problems I have settled on the Mio 2 click.

The tips about running around from the 6-12 o'clock is a good one

I might be able to highlight your problem. Its all down to hooking the bottom of the ring underneath the flange ring, you might be just sitting on the edge so ring will appear too tight even when unlocked then it will not fit double check your got it snug at the bottom before your run around the sides at then the reassuring "click" will sound.

Also Eric's idea of putting a couple of drops of sewing machine oil on the ring is a brilliant tip for  rotating I found I can buy  Precision oiling pen sewing machine oil very convenient

shown here in this video (Hope it doesn't break and rules)

@jtvt

The Coloplast rep actually sent me an email with Eric's instructional video from YouTube attached regarding how to get the Mio Click to actually "click". Same method that has been described so far in this thread and in your response; I am hopeful that next time will be less eventful!

I find it interesting that you had the same issue with the Hollister 2-piece. Out of curiosity, did you ever use the Hollister support belt at any point in time? I did not use it in the hospital or immediately thereafter due to the presence of surgical drains in the surrounding areas. I have this theory (untested as of yet) that if wound too tightly, the belt actually causes the bag's coupling to flex away from the flange slightly, thus allowing odor to escape. If memory serves me correctly (a rarity these days), the odor really became noticeable after I started using the belt. I may have to try the 2-piece again sometime without the belt and see if the odor is still as problematic. However, as you stated, the Mio pouches are far superior for many reasons so it would be difficult to go back. I think the only other complaint I have is the filter seems to get clogged faster than Hollister's AF300 and you cannot easily release gas from the top of the flange without having to unlock the coupling and risk pulling the bag off entirely.

So sorry to hear about the SBO, that is an unfortunate (and unpleasant) turn of events. But it's good you were able to confirm that your choice in gear was the correct one! My hospital only carries the Hollister 2-piece so whenever I have to stay that's what I end up in.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences. Wishing you the best of luck as well!

@chrisandbagpus

I think your explanation of my issue is exactly correct. Part of the issue was me. I tried to swap things out at a bad time of day so I had to rush and I was getting frustrated since I had not used the Click before. I am almost certain that I was on the edge rather than having it placed snug at the bottom. With Hollister I was used to snapping at the bottom, then quickly pressing the sides together, then snapping at the top as well. Obviously this setup is quite different. Just a matter of time to get used to it!

Interesting that you brought up the machine oil tip. I actually used this with great success with the Hollister 2-piece so that it was possible to rotate it. I hadn't thought of trying it with the Click, but if I stick with it I will eventually want to wear it with my Stealth Belt and this would be a great way of making that easier.

Thanks for the ideas - much appreciated!

@kyle89

Glad my explanation helps.

I have been through a lot frustrations in the only 6 weeks I've had the colostomy with trying different makes. These I feels stand above the rest in several ways. They have their problems but I'm working on those. The ring filter its self can causes problems - the extra layer of plastic, I'm working on a adjustment for that (Cutting it out!)

The Mio click rotates much easier with the oil - Thanks Eric!

I think you will love how it goes with your stealth belt.

@chrisandbagpus

6 weeks is definitely still very fresh, but you are well on your way to success. It gets way easier with time as most folks here will reassure you. It's all about experimenting and finding out what works best for you through trial and error (sometimes it feels much like more of the latter, but it evens out). Have you had any issues with the coupling coming apart when you unsnap the locking mechanism and rotate it? I am worried about the bag coming off of the flange, but maybe that's an unfounded concern. Also, can't wait to give it a shot with my SB once I am able to go back to the gym again (I don't wear it regularly as I prefer my pouch to be vertical).

Well, I am somewhat disappointed to report that I am starting to notice some odor today (not as strong as the Hollister 2-pc but more than the Hollister 1-pc). I ran my finger along the coupling and that's where I believe it's coming from. I don't think it's the pouch or the filter. I am hoping it was just a mistake I made in applying the pouch to the flange and maybe I got some output in the wrong place on the ring. I am not noticing any leakage under the flange either so I don't think it's that. Still ordered a month's supply of these to give it a real shot, I'd feel bad giving up on an otherwise great product after the first time trying it.

Kyle

I think you need not worry about the coupling coming apart as long as its locked. Coloplast are that confident the belt rings are on the wafer and not the bag.

Just be a little careful burping the bag, too ambitions off it come, careful works well.

Yes the bag does let some odor out after awhile. new bags is fine.

My thinking at the moment is 1. on a drainable bag odor sneaking past the seal after that bag has been emptied 2. the flange has some foreign material on the ring allowing seepage

A clean of the ring and a bag change so far has solved the odor problem maybe some deodorizer in the bag will help.

Chris,

Good to know I don't have to worry about that! I will give the burping a try with the knowledge that some care is necessary. 

My concern with the odor is that I've only been wearing the bag for about 24 hours now and I'm already noticing it. It seems like I should be able to go a bit longer than that before it becomes an issue. I wonder if it's because I wear the support belt kind of tight and I am pretty thin. Could be pulling the flange enough that it's allowing odor to escape but not actual output. I will continue to wear it this time around but maybe next time I will wear without the belt and see if there's any improvement. 

Cleaning the ring and bag sounds like a good idea. I do spray out the bag but it might need a more thorough cleaning. I also add GelPlus deodorizer to the pouch each time I empty and that seems to make a good difference. 

@kyle89

Have you the drainable or the closed bag

I like the drainable bag I can take the bag off and rinse from the top through the ring with a squeeze bottle. My output is currently too excessive for a closed bag I would need 4 a day hence why I like the 2 piece system.

I have read somewhere people have mentioned the sensura mio (I think even 1 piece) can let out an odor. That;s why I wonder about the seal on outlet.

@chrisandbagpus

It's the drainable variety. My output is fairly excessive and I must empty around 6 times per day (ileostomy). It's a challenge finding a time when it's not really active so rinsing thoroughly is a tricky endeavor!

@kyle89

Yes we might be on to something here. The shall I call it the exit tube I think when its been used might when folded up allow some odor to pass as it doesn't roll up as tight?

Have you tried swapping two bag cleaning and drying one before reuse, might help. The bags except for the filter dry easily.

Gosh 6 times a day is a challenge I thought Bagpus was bad enough when I've had to empty 3 times in less that 20 minutes