@dutchozzie Hello - thank you for that. One of my thoughts was whether in time I could use the seals, and then get my bags pre-cut, and the combination of the seal and the bag would mean that there was no gap. So it is good to hear that you are finding that this is working for you.

My skin has really broken down this last week or so and that has made me really miserable, and was why I started to use seals. I had brilliant success with the first one, which made me think 'great this is the solution', but I now realize that was beginner's luck. The next two times I tried seals, I had a lot of discomfort, some seepage and the skin got worse. I ordered some Cavilon spray, which I used last time I changed, without a seal, and I will find out later today how that has gone. But the itching and discomfort has diminished a bit - which is good. Ideally I would like to use as few products as possible, and ones that are as natural as possible - not sure how likely that will be,

I am relieved to hear that it gets better. I have felt quite anxious about it this last week or so, having been fairly okay with it all until then. Also, I wondered if overtime one's consciousness of the bag diminishes? My ideal would be that, okay it's there and I look after the stoma and do all the right maintenance, but there is not an ongoing nagging of discomfort, or soreness, or the tightness of the bag adhesive on the skin. I'd love to reach a stage where I was barely aware of the bag. At the moment it feels as though it dominates . . . whether I'm out walking, gardening, sitting down, trying to sleep on my side in bed, it takes my attention and not in a good way. Just 9 weeks now post-surgery so I am hoping this is all early days, and still part of the healing and adjustment process.

Very grateful for the helpful replies on this forum. Many thanks and best wishes.

Hi Mimi, Take heart that it gets easier. The ring is a great defence but if it’s not positioned correctly it’s gonna be uncomfortable and cause more harm. A lot of information coming at you can be confusing and frustrating but stay calm and take your time 👍

1. Hi! I have always saved the backing peel off plastic after cutting a perfect sized hole for stoma in my 2 piece hollister then trace it onto the next one with fine tip marker