Is there a easier way to measure a oval shaped stoma

There is a couple of suggestions below I'm going to try .thank you everyone

There is a plastic measure plate on xolp

Colplast has free samples & one was the plastic measure plate

Posted by: @Sheila Billings

Is there a easier way to measure a oval shaped stoma

If your stoma isn't prone to changing size/shape very often, do your best to measure it once and then trace it on some kind of plastic or reusable material to use as a template in the future. Oftentimes, the release liners on the back of wafers can be used for this. 

As for measuring, the most common way is to measure it on sections and trace it on your wafer to cut out. Some stoma measuring guides include half-circles for this purpose. 

I have already put on the site but as its a very useful way I hope you agree its good to repeat again.

If you have a digital camera or good phone camera take a photo of your stoma and print it out at 100% that should come out at a one to one actual size. To check' if you put a ruler or tape measure alongside you stoma when you take the picture, you can then lay the actual measure on top of the print out if they match you good to go.

Cut out the image of your stoma you then have a perfect pattern of your stoma, don't forget to cut slightly wider to account for a 1-2mm gap around your stoma.

This method is much easier that trying to trace a cutout.

Can you give me the # for the Coloplast scissors that you recommend in this video

Hi Pat, those scissors are the Coloplast 6295050. Been using mine for over 7 years and they still cut like new!

Eric...did I ever tell you how much I like your shower curtain? It's really pretty! Nice choice! I  Love all your videos! 

ChrisandBagpuss...excellent idea but I don't have a printer!! If I did, my down facing  D shaped stoma would have thanked you back then. I admit, I found the " pie "  method worked great for me. 

Eric....I thought my scissors were good too until I got a new pair! lol! I had a nurse in a  Hospital apt.  exchange my old for a new pair... I  was very grateful! To bad they don't implement a program of some kind for replacing scissors. 

ShielaBillings &  Pat Thomas... I hope you can find a good fit and a measuring system  that works for you! When my stoma changed shape after 6 or 7 years I was very surprised! I think it was due to weight loss for me. Using my  pie method on page one was quick &  relatively simple but I think ChrisandBagpuss has a great idea too. The right scissors with the round tip, meant I stopped putting teensy cuts in the plastic because it lifted the plastic away from the scissors better! Good Luck!!! 

@Pat Thomoson

You might find your ostomy supplier or even your nurse will give you a free (Sample) pair 

I asked cololast and they sent me an extra complementary set for my emergency kit ;-) 

I have a very odd shaped loop (ileostomy) stoma, it's not even a perfect oval/oblong shape. I have learned to get it pretty close and I save the cut out piece of the wafer to draw new holes buuuuut I really wanted a more accurate template so noob tip y'all 😜 I found a long twist tie in my kitchen, and gently formed it around my stoma, the twist ties, when unused, have a broad flat shape which is perfect for wrapping around the base of my stoma, and it retained its shape and size when I placed it on card stock to gently trace 🙌🙌 this has truly been hellish with a very short torso (hips touch ribs) even leaning forward to eat a bite over my plate bends my "flexi" wafer 🤦‍♀️ my efferent limb stoma is so low it oozes mucous right under barrier rings and I spent 2 months chasing a bloody raw ring around my stoma, tried the duoderm per the nurse LEAK, tried the brava skin prote tion sheets, LEAK, tried convatec and hollister pastes, LEAK... Tried a light convex wafer... NO LEAKS!! Buuut of course, the efferent stoma started to prolapse and squeeze out the afferent stoma 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Much more I'm leaving out... But dang it all... I MacGyver-Ed the sizing and it feels so good 🙌😜🙃🙃🙃😘

In all seriousness I hope this helps any of you out there with oddly shaped double stoma 💖 truly appreciate all of you, and site owner, for sharing and helping minister with love and info, to us scared worn and weary osteonoobs... You've made such a difference these last few months!

Kathi, thank you so much for sharing that idea. I love the ingenuity!

It's pretty wild that these ostomy companies haven't included a better system for measuring stomas in their kits. I can't imagine that everyone has a perfectly round stoma.

Thanks again. Good luck with the rest of your challenges. It sounds like you've got your work cut out for you 🤞

I found that I was cutting the hole too large. The circular paper measures may not be accurate as to the actual base diameter of your stoma. My stoma is much wider above the point where it actually attaches to the normal skin. It is difficult to know this with a paper circle. At the very least. Try and dry the stoma as much as possible. Then immediately try the smallest paper circle you can estimate to fit. Get it right down to skin level. Then see if it can easily move side to side. If so. Too big a hole. Try again a size down.

This can still be difficult due to the stoma wetting the circle and making things all sloppy. I went from almost 25 mm at first, with random failures and skin irritation, down to 20 mm. That is much better now. But still is larger than I need. I still have a small area of skin exposed. I try to get that exposed area to the top when I apply the base, then put some Adapt stoma powder on the exposed skin so it gets pasted on there. That helps.

I change the appliance only once a week for many months now. I was using the 20 mm pre cut for months. But now have the 10 mm which I will cut out to fit more closely. Trying for 18 mm I guess. Also ordered a cutter. But it will get here later.

In my particular case. Using the Sensura Click 2 piece system. Getting that hole size perfected made all the difference. A couple more mm may be that last perfect fit.

We all have different skin, shape, chemistry. So your mileage may vary. But get that thing fitted up best you can.

Just for clarification, when you said "When I buy wafers, I try to get a size that allows for about 10cm of space between my stoma and the edge of the cutting lines (or up to the flange ring on my 2pc system)", did you mean 10cm or 1cm? 10cm seems like so much space, but maybe I'm misunderstanding what you're talking about. Thank you!!!! 

Good catch, VeeBee! It should be 1cm. I've corrected that in the post.

Basically, your stoma should have some distance to the edge of the cutting line, ideally.

@veganostomy I am a home health nurse that regularly refers new ostomy patients AND new HH nurses to your YouTube videos because you break each part down so nicely. I have shared the one piece vs two piece, accessory explanations, product/supply reviews, and most importantly/most often used- the stoma/peristoma care videos so many times!!!  You personally have made me feel so competent in teaching patients and nurses. I ALMOST feel like a pro! ;) 

So THANK YOU for all of your effort over the years!!!!!

@veebee You are amazing. Thank you for doing what you do! 😀👍👌👏

My son with special needs just got a colostomy bag and all of your videos help me so much. I have to change and empty his bags and I can’t thank you for all of your input. Thank you!!!!!

You're welcome, Carmen. Best of luck to you both!

When measuring a regressed stoma, should you see any outer area skin or just the stoma itself? I have had my colostomy for about a week and a half and am having a horrible time with leakage. This is even with the use of barrier rings. I have just ordered adhesive powder to help with moisture so I am hoping that helps!