I have 3 1/2 year old flush stoma to my skin . With a bit of a belly due to a large hernia. Tried several wafers and and eons and powders. The wafer one piece I use barely last 2 days. Always deal with Excoriation. . I have to deal with Marlen for wafers . They are harder to get. Order ahead of time. Or New Hope is even harder to get.My output is watery to somewhat pasty if I'm lucky. I'm tired of the pain. But my sarcoidosis keeps me from reversing it. Some times it looks inverted. But it hurts my stoma and stomach to always use deep convexity. And it only holds for 2 days. Stoma nurse said I was lucky for 2 days. Gosh there gotta be something better out there. Tired of changing so often. Inconvenient. And allergic to the adhesives on the tape. . Gosh I even have trouble with rectal mucus too. I am a wreck.

I'm sorry to hear that, Sharon. You mention Nu-Hope appliances. Have you tried their non-adhesive wafers to see if can help settle some of that excoriation? I don't know if they'd work with a flush stoma, as I've never used them before, but I wonder if looking outside of traditional appliances might offer you a solution.

Good luck!

Yes thank you

this is really useful, I especially like the idea of using a plastic bag to catch drips, very useful for a Urostomy!

It's the best tip I can offer for an appliance change - it makes a HUGE difference when you use a bag to catch anything coming out of the stoma - less stress, less mess, and really convenient.

All the best to you!

This was very informative. Nice calm presentation. I will definitely use the bag on waist as I can never seem to find the best time to make a change. Why do you use two piece appliance? Thank you for your clear and concise demonstration, VO

I use a 2pc for several reasons. Many are listed in this article (and video): https://www.veganostomy.ca/1pc-vs-2pc-ostomy-appliance-ostomy-tips/

Thank you so much for posting this. My son has a new stoma and we have really been having problems with the skin around the stoma. I think we will try this.

Good luck! This is only one technique that has worked for me, but there are others if you aren't having good results.

Thanks for this site and all the videos! I'm a new post-op and my skin is already breaking down with the adhesives from the bags. This has some great tips and tricks. I'll be watching!

i have an itchy rash from the bag with the summer heat. please help me. Thank you

I have found that the most inactive time of my stoma is first thing in the morning is first thing when I awake 6am

Hi Pat,

Most people have difficulties when they are new ostomates because there are so many changes happening, and the skin isn't used to all the adhesives and contact with output. Good luck!

Hi Shirley,

I would suggest having a stoma nurse look at the rash. If it's a yeast or fungal infection, you may need to have it treated with medication.

For summer tips, please have a look at this article: https://www.veganostomy.ca/the-summer-ostomate-ostomy-tips/

Good luck!

When do you have your last meal, Jim? I tend to eat late at night, so early AM is a very active time for my stoma!

Hi Eric
Thanks for being a lifeline to so many of us ostomates. I had my ileostomy in November of 2016, and have been on a whirlwind of a ride. I've got things pretty much settled now, except for the barrier ring business. I started with the Ekan and after awhile ended up with raw, irritated skin. After healing that up I switched to Hollister and was doing great. But now when I take off my barrier ring my skin looks shiny pink. It fades after awhile, but never looks like "normal" skin like yours does. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Teri D
BTW congrats for being up for all those awards

Thanks, Teri!

Does this "shiny pink skin" look like it's raw or just scared perhaps? As long as it's not raw or sore (or causing you any other problems), I wouldn't worry too much about it.

After 30 years of wearing the sharp-edged, firm, convex Coloplast wafers the skin around my stoma has developed a "not skin" appearance, as if the dermis is gone and the color is purple/black (as if I'm seeing inside my body), and maybe I am. The rest of the skin looks fine.

The ostomy nurse didn't have the knowledge my 30 years have given me so I left without advice. Just an expression of "wtf is that?" from the nurse. I've now switched to the hollister convex with ceramide, (I'm hoping for a ciramide miracle).

I have to change every two days because my stoma "sinks in" when active and oozes under the opening.

My Insurance supplies five boxes per 90 days. I USE NINE boxes in 90 days. I just ordered cerimide lotion to assist, but there's no way any wafer will stick to skin that has lotion on it. ANY THOUGHTS??????

Not raw or anything. Just like shiny "new" skin. Thanks Eric.