Hi Tim, Yes you can, rings and paste are very useful aids but a wafer can be worn very well alone. I have only used a small part of a wafer in recent years to fill a little dip. Just make sure you have a good measurement of your stoma so no excessive skin is showing.

Posted by: @tim

Has anyone tried using *just* the wafer/flange?

I do, and find it works best for me.

Extra supplies should really only be used if they are addressing a specific problem that has no other remedy.

Every new supply you add to your routine simply creates a new opportunity for things to go wrong.

I'm an advocate for simplicy, but I get that this may not be the best approach for everyone. 

When my ostomy was new, I was using so many different products (belt, spray, paste, tape) because that’s what I learned in the hospital. After attending an ostomy support group, I found out that most of those products weren’t always necessary, so one by one, I stopped using them. Now, I only use a skin barrier wipe before I put my flange on, and it works just fine for me. I recognize that all the products I had used serve a purpose, but for me, they aren’t needed.

Laurie

Posted by: @tigerlily

I was using so many different products (belt, spray, paste, tape) because that’s what I learned in the hospital.

Yeah, I received a "welcome package" with all kinds of product samples, but really only a few were appropriate for my needs. I can certainly see how new ostomates could get overwhelmed and confused by all that. 

I only use the wafer.  Works best for me.  

Thanks everyone for your answers! It gives me a lot more confidence in trying it out without a ring.

Tim, as a urostomate I never use anything but the wafer. I do add Silex flange extenders. I think a good fit is essential.

@tim...I only used a ring for the 1st year because that's what was used in hospital & I was sent home with.  One day I just decided to try it without. I found that it was so much better & way more comfortable to me.   To me it was only a sticky mess that was  hard to remove.  11 years no rings, certainly don't miss them either! lol! 

Well, I tried no ring and it didn't work out at all. Luckily no overnight emergency mess, but after less than 24 hrs, the output got under the flange and out to the "tape" part of the flange.

Oh well, glad I tried anyway.

Hi Tim, When you took of the wafer was the leak at a certain place. It may be a case that you only need a small part of the ring to level out a dip or help with a bending point. Good on you for trying it out 👍

@tim

Hi Tim,,

Did you ever consider using a light convex? I use one and put paste on the areas where I have dips. It has worked wonders for me. Maybe you should ask your doctor or ostomy nurse. Good luck!

Stella

@john68 No it was all the way around. but it certainly could have started at one side and went on from there.

@sjlovestosing Thanks, I'll look into it.

My experience has been that without a ring, I have to be very careful that the wafer is not touching the stoma. If it does, I had a couple of times that I developed granulomas which are painful. It seems that the granulomas don't develop if the ring is touching the stoma. So rather than cutting the wafer to size, I use a factory-cut wafer that is a little big (couple of mm too big) and position the ring relatively close on/touching the stoma. That seems to do the trick.

Do others have a similar experience with wafer touching the stoma and causing granulomas?

Its a fine line literally between a wafer too tight and too much skin showing. I have had granulomas around the base of the stoma and they are painful. The thrive on damage to the stoma or skin exposed to output. I agree that if you are having trouble getting the correct fit a barrier ring will leave you safe. Plus if you output eats the wafer on longer wear time it’s an added defence. As always if it works for you go for it 👍

@dutchozzie...I use only the wafer for many years now. I tend to cut as Eric advised, on the other side of the line drawn/traced on the wafer. I measure monthly as I'm 12 plus yrs in. 

I prefer a closer cut hole to the stoma  but as John said, there's  a fine line between too close & too much skin. I have the most success cutting as I said above & turning the wafer not the scissors while cutting. I get a clean smooth cut this way. lol, ( I learned that while Scrapbooking! lol.)  Also when 1st applied I warm the wafer with a blow dryer, then apply but I spend extra time pressing for a good seal around the hole ASA applied.  I dry my stoma with tissue before putting it on to keep it dry under the wafer from the start.  I always use Barrier Spray & dry it with a blowdryer. before applying. It's just faster I find.

I have never had a Granuloma.

@veganostomy Hi!  It's my pleasure to meet you.  I just wondered how/where you got a welcome package from?  But I'm from Missouri, not sure this makes a difference.  I was never taught about these special products, though the ring was used at times at the hospital, but I was never taught why, and didn't even know that a paste "chalking" existed.  After getting home, I quickly learned how important the ring and prep were for me, as I am ileostomy/crohn's patient, with high liquid output that quickly dissolves the adhesion.  The rings help make it last twice as long, preventing the leaks, and protects skin outside the ring, but I was still getting some problems till I learned to cut the ring so I could wrap it around the base rather than sliding it down.  Also cause how deep the raw circle around the stoma is and how painful it is, I now always start my ostomy change in the shower where I clean it very thorough with soap, make it very dry, then wrapping, and sealing as tight as possible the sticky circle.  Though when I remove it, I always see how the inner part of the ring gets completely dissolved and this injured area around my stoma can't heal as it's always getting explosed to my output liquid.  Recently I started using a 2nd ring on top of the 1st ring for added protection, and was surprised at how much this helped, again helping the entire system last much longer, but this raw spot around my stoma is what I'm wanting to protect now.  I just seen this paste "chalking" as a possible solution and very happy to learn about it, and planning to try it as soon as possible.  It will hopefully work and be a permanent change I make, but when I read that you got a lot of various ostomy supplies in a welcome package, I realized how helpful this could be since I don't even know what exists out there, and how one little product could make such a huge difference.  I've had my ostomy since December, but I've been so sick (and busy).  I had an ostomy nurse at the hospital that didn't teach me much, but getting ready to get a local ostomy nurse where I live, but so far, I have figured out most stuff on my own, through experience.  I am so happy to find solutions, cause it was really difficult in the beginning.  The barrier rings help so much in my case, and I'm hoping the paste will help heal my raw skin, but if I can potentially get a welcome package of samples, I'm sure this could help me so much more in ways I haven't even considered.  Thank you so much for helping those of us with ostomies.

hi TamTam most of the companies give out welcome packs , i got one off Hollister , Coloplast and Salts (not in the US ) , just contact all of them and ask , my first one had , a scissors , rings , bags , removal and protection sprays  and little sections for each of them ,

I lost it and replaced it with this ,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0046O0FJW  

Posted by: @tamtam

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  I just wondered how/where you got a welcome package from?

Welcome, @tamtam. If I recall correctly, the hospital stoma nurse arranged it, but I also did call various manufacturers to see what samples they had, and most had a "new patient" kit.

Posted by: @tamtam

↑

Recently I started using a 2nd ring on top of the 1st ring for added protection, and was surprised at how much this helped, again helping the entire system last much longer, but this raw spot around my stoma is what I'm wanting to protect now.

Interesting! Does the second ring add pressure to the area? If so, be cautious, as this could lead to pressure sores if given enough time.

For the raw spot, in my experience, as long as the skin does not have constant contact with our output, it should heal up quickly. This could mean having to change my appliance more often than usual, just to make sure that the wafer is still fully intact and output has no chance to touch my skin.