I had the same problems as you when I tried these a couple years ago! After I got a leak from the adhesive not connecting 100% perfectly I gave up on them, despite being super comfortable, it was not worth the risk for me either. Thankfully I caught it shortly after putting it on and hadn't gone to bed, I would have been horrified. Wish these worked better, the concept is amazing. I think I wrote about this on newbieostomy.com too.

I use the CYMED one piece system. I have an ileostomy. After two years of using Convatec, my skin became very weepy. I went to a dermatologist who told me I have an allergy to latex, and adhesive. He could help my skin with a prescription, but I had to find an appliance without adhesive on it. I called every supplier in the UOAA Phoenix magazine. I could use a flange with a belt, but not what I really wanted. Cymed was the only one with out adhesive. The clear "stuff" that sticks to my skin is the same as is used to hold an IV to your skin. Works wonderful for me. I know you have to be careful putting it on, even the one piece, but it is worth it to me to have clear skin. I love it. Have had my ostomy since 2000.

Thanks, Sally!

It seems that the one piece is the one that people have the most success with (I've heard from several others already stating the same). I'm going to have to try it in the near future, but I'm glad that it has worked for you!

You kept saying apart from that, there is no apart from that. If one part of the system doesn't work, then nothing works. Way too much work, especially for a 17 year old kid with autism and a hand that doesn't work most of the time. You should just say "it sucks" and be done with it. If you don't like it, most people wont either. Thanks for the video :)

Thanks for writing, Donna!

While I would tend to agree that if one part of the system doesn't work, then nothing works, it's hard for all ostomates to find a perfect appliance. Some people might be willing to overlook the difficulty in applying the product, and others might not have a problem with the cheap fabric, but I find far too many problems with this 2pc appliance to recommend it.

For me, the system has to perform its main task: collecting urine or feces. If it can't do that, then it doesn't matter how brilliant everything else on the appliance is, but if it can do that, then the rest is a matter of balancing what flaws I can live with.

I hope that your son has found something that works well for him, and I wish you both a wonderful day!

I am trying the one piece right now. Today was day 5 so I'll probably replace it tomorrow, but I like it so much I hate to change. The best thing I like about it is how the ring snugs up to the stoma without being sticky and gooping up the inside of the bag like a typical barrier ring. I cover my bag with press n seal in the shower so maybe that's why I've had better luck with the edges staying put.

Thanks for the information...I had never heard of Cymed before this review.

That's great, Debbie! I'll actually be (hopefully) posting a review on the one piece tomorrow!

Came across your site and wanted to add my experience. I have been using only Cymed one piece opaque model 81400 for about 25 years now. I am 49. I have had nothing but good with the product, for the most part. I think the product has changed a little bit as I have experienced some minor leaks near the washer with my last few boxes. I intend to notify Cymed and provide the manufacture numbers for them to track. I do know that if you have issues they have in the past sent me free product for exchange. I have only had a couple total failures over the years. Yes that sucks, but so does having poo come out of your abdomen. I just take it with a grain of salt. Overall as I said this is the only product I have been using for almost 25 years. I did try a couple others, but they were bulky. Anyway I hope this helps.

@Jeff

Thank you for sharing that, Jeff. I do know quite a few people have had bad luck after Cymed changed the formulation of their products a little while ago, but it's nice to hear that this hasn't affected everyone. 

Ah well... I used to be curious about Cymed products since we don't see to many of them over here in the US, but wow, I had no idea how trashy they were. I can't even imagine just waking up with the bag completely detached in the morning; that's horrible.

How about the Gore-tex filter, though? Did you use it for long enough to tell if it ballooned as much as other filters? I was hopeful about their filters, at least. Barring that, it looks like there isn't much to look forward to about these at all.

The filter on these worked as well as the Hollister ones, but I was not able to really test them for very long. That said, no filter will reliably last for more than 3 days, so swapping out the bag for a fresh one after a few days is probably going to be the best solution in the meantime.

I found the gore material a big help with filters, though if your output is on the thick side, the bag needs to be rinsed.  just imagine a screen door covered in tar, won't let much air pass.