Good point on paying attention to underneath the stoma, crusting can be useful. a mirror is useful for seeing under the stoma

I tend to keep my most recent cutting template – the plastic backing from my Sensura Mio – with me too and my trusty ostomy scissors! Look after your peristomal skin. Healthy skin is a very important part of a good stoma routine.

Thank you Eric. I have had my colostomy since 2011, I learn so much from your site and appreciate your time. Eric, my son and I recently became vegans in January, where can I find your recipes?

Frances in Coquitlam, BC

Hey Frances!

That's so great that you and your son have gone vegan!

I've been planning to put up some recipes (formally), but I'm not one to actually follow recipes, so I've been dragging my feet around!

It may be helpful to ask on my community forums: https://www.veganostomy.ca/community/food-and-recipes/

If you have any preferences for ingredients or food types, or if you have any restrictions, just list them and we'll find you something nice to make :)

For general websites that offer vegan recipes, I suggest taking a look at this list I've put together: https://www.veganostomy.ca/vegan-resources/

Getting under the stoma to apply the powder can be a bit of a challenge especially as this is a common area for raw skin. For these hard to see areas, I may suggest sprinkling a little powder onto a cotton ball, make up remover pad or a swab (q-tip) then apply to the affected area.
This can help by applying in the right place without using too much powder. If a person if wearing clothing and they are changing on the fly, this may help in prevent excess powder getting onto clothing but a paper towel tucked into the pants waistband will work too.

Great tip! Thanks for sharing that.

Seems like we’ve tried every technique we’ve been shown and still my husbands appliance will leak after a short time, many times less than 24 hours. Is there a video on proper use of the paste? Changing this often is expensive.

Hi Betty, it's important to identify why he's having a leak because using products when they aren't needed may cause more problems. I have an article that goes over some of the many causes of leaks : https://www.veganostomy.ca/ostomy-leaks-tips/ See if any of them apply to your husband.

Help! ... I have a stoma that produces output flush against the skin. This makes it difficult (actually it seems impossible) to prevent seepedge under my wafer and I have quite an area of skin that has become raw and bleeds most of the time. ... I have tried crusting, barrier cream, Eakins seals, etc. ... has anyone else has to deal with this problem with success? I would really love some advice other than ‘there’s really not much you can do’. - frustrated and in pain.

Hi Kristen, 

Is your stoma flush? If so, the typical route would be convex wafers, which help to push the stoma out a little bit. 

Hi Kirsten,

Eric has a point. I had the same issues until I asked my ostomy nurse and also contacted Coloplast to ask for advice. My ostomy nurse first tried me with an extra ring, but that didn't help. Coloplast recommended  a light convex system, which made a huge difference for me. My stoma is slightly oval, so I use a pre-cut barrier system that I cut just slightly on the sides to make it work. Because of a small irregularity around my stoma, I also use paste. I would suggest talking to your ostomy nurse or getting in touch with the company you use and ask questions - they are there to help.

Stella

Hi Kristen, As Eric says a convex wafer may be the route to go, getting the leaks stopped will get the skin back on track. Some ostomates use a barrier sheet as a first line of defence for broken skin before putting on the wafer.

https://www.veganostomy.ca/a-mini-guide-to-ostomy-supplies-protective-sheets-w-video/

Also are you getting help from a stoma nurse.

Kirstin,

The same  thing happened to me. My stoma went kind of level with my skin...after talking to stoma nurse on the phone I got the OK to switch to the light convex wafer ( I use Hollister), and that fixed the leaking problem.  I also use a barrier ring.

Good luck. There is a solution somewhere!

I use a barrier wipe (Smith & Nephew Skin-Prep) after cleaning around the stoma. If there is a weeping area, I powder it lightly with stoma powder IMMEDIATELY AFTER applying the barrier wipe. I find that when the barrier dries it binds the powder into it and forms a stronger defense than applying it directly to the weeping tissues.

I have constant issues with “pancaking” around the stoma, the output won’t slide to the bottom of the bag and blows out the side seal. When I first got my bag, the output was too watery - that was a much simpler fix than trying to make it more watery now. Sorry not much help. I’m making an appt with an ostomy nurse as soon as I can get in. I’ll let you know if I get any new tips

Hi Eylsse, Welcome to the forum, If you are using a bag with a filter try blocking of the filter with the stickers which come with the bags. A little air in the bag helps as well. How has your diet changed. Eric always suggests keeping a food diary to keep an eye on changes. I like to use prune juice to thin out thick output. Lots of others to try as well. It’s great to get an appointment with the nurse 👍

Hi Elysse,

I agree that loose output is easier to manage vs thick output, but I find that it's also more prone to causing leaks.

I do have an article that might help with thick output here: https://www.veganostomy.ca/dealing-thick-ostomy-output/

And some general tips for dealing with pancaking here: https://www.veganostomy.ca/pancaking-ostomy-tips/

Good luck!