Other suggestions:

Using opiates every so often will make the stool output thicker so using a stool softener or a laxative (ie. RestoraLax) the same day or the day after will thin the output and increase the time you can wear the wafer without it falling off. Other drugs may also thicken the output.

When cutting the wafer opening to fit the stoma, the sizing may be further optimized by cutting it a bit smaller or larger depending on how thick your output is.

Shave under the area where you are going to apply the wafer. Body hair may reduce adhesion and make the wafer painful to remove.

Consider a larger or smaller wafer opening when buying the wafers depending on your physique. If your body around the stoma is perfectly flat under the wafer you are lucky but if it is raised up around the stoma you don't want to use a wafer with too big an opening because rocking back and forth of the wafer may occur when you sit down or lie on your side. Experiment with the size of the opening.

Thanks for sharing those tips, Cam!

I had an emergency surgery with part of my colon removed about 6 weeks ago, but fortunately, this will be reversed. I am still learning and having many problems.
I am having trouble with the seal leaking or bursting, but for numbers reasons, I believe.
Last night I realized that I had pancaking going on. I couldn't get it all moved down, so early this morning, I had another seal leak pretty badly. Thank you for the information on this...I was not aware of that before. Thanks to your video, I will keep an eye on it and start using a lubricating pouch deodorant!

My question today is about the technique that you use for applying the barrier spray and powder. My
home care nurse has told me to put the barrier spray, let it dry, and then apply powder. I have had 2 nurses tell me this. Is this incorrect? Or is it just better to do it in the opposite order (powder & then spray)?
Thank you so much for your help. Your provide a great service here!

My home care nurse has told me to put the barrier spray, let it dry, and then apply powder. I have had 2 nurses tell me this. Is this incorrect? Or is it just better to do it in the opposite order (powder & then spray)?

Hi Susan, I tend to prefer a spray or dabbing a barrier wipe over the powder so that the wafer has a better substrate to stick to.

If you try to apply the wafer on top of the powder, it won't stick well. 

In either case, after applying the powder, it's best to tap or shake any excess powder off the skin. 

Been having trouble with the base of my stoma leaking, I try to keep it as dry as I can when I apply everything. But after I put the barrier ring and then the wafer on obviously the dampness underneath causes the wafer to unstick. Do you know what I can do about this cuz it's getting very frustrating. Been going on 3 months and my doctors and the stoma team that I had when I had my surgery in May, has been no help. I know the health care industry has changed immensely since COVID and vaccine mandates so a lot of the good people in those departments are gone. Any help would be grateful. Thank you in advance

Hi Ann,

I'm sorry to hear about that.

It's important to try an identify what's causing this dampness before you can address it.

Do you know if it's sweat? Is your skin raw or irritated and "weeping"? Is the leak causing your wafer to unstick or does the unsticking happen first and causes the wafer to leak (this will be hard to know, to be honest)?

How long can you keep your wafer on before it leaks?

My son has what he call slimy skin around where his stomach is so his flanges are not sticking what can I do to make them stick how do I get the sliminess to go away

Hi Jennifer,

It may be helpful if we can identify the source of this slimy skin. It could be the skin itself being oily, or even something with the wafer (i.e. old adhesive) that hasn't been cleaned off.

Either way, the skin should be clean and dry before putting the appliance on for the best chance at getting a good seal.

I often use just plain water and a gauze pad to clean the skin; other people will use mild soap.

I also use rubbing alcohol on the skin to help remove any residue and to help make it dry. This isn't something I'd suggest without caution, but it's what I've done for years now.

Good luck!

Hi Ann... it sounds like your putting the barrier ring & wafer on seperatly...? 

Maybe try placing the ring on the wafer & pressing it into the shape of your cut hole before it goes on your skin then it all goes on at once.  If your stoma is long enough... I'm able to wrap mine in tissue paper while my skin is drying from Barrier spray or wipes. I use 3 ply as the  2 ply seems to leave pieces behind & that can cause issues also. Bcuz I have a very active ileostomy, named Rose, I prepare a whole roll of tissue as described above, then I'm always ready plus when my stoma works while changing my pouch, the tissue wrapped around my stoma directs the output away from my skin as it flows through the open end even after I've twisted it for further security. 

I take 3 squares, fold them in half, then fold the tissue now  1 1/2 squares long  due to the fold, then fold again kitty corner & this makes like a triangle flag of sorts. Then place the nearest point under your stoma sticking away from you & wrap it up tucking an edge point under nearest you to help keep it in place & I always twist the end a bit to help keep the paper snug. My stoma produces a lot of fluids so this has helped me a lot. I also tightly wrap 1 square into a triangle & twist it tightly then holding it between my teeth until I need it. Then before placing my stoma into the hole of the pouch I use that twisted piece to stick my stoma into the bag.  Remove it just before sticking on your wafer. 

Folding the wafer away from you & starting at the bottom allows you to stick the wafer right where you need it. Roll it up & use that piece in your teeth to stick your stoma in & toss that tissue.   Then, once on, Press gently all around the opening nearest your stoma  concentrating at areas of leakage first then work outward. Place the palm of your hand over the wafer & stoma for a few min. to let the heat of your hand encourage more sticking. 

I hope this helps. No question is a dumb question here.  You can ask anything you need to ask.  

Jennifer ... when is your son finding this slimy skin??   Its pretty typical to have it just after removing a pouch to put on a new pouch. The skin under the wafer will be softer then when it was put on.  As Eric said, its very important to spend time cleaning the area of skin under the wafer to make it secure for the next pouch. 

If he's using the adhesive remover wipes or spray (I use both),   He needs to use several of them to clean the old residue off & not get build up. He can rinse with just plain water & use a wipe to help wash the skin too. I find this cuts down on wipe use as well, but make sure to dry the skin thoroughly.   I can feel the difference in my skin under the adhesive remover cloth when I have it all off.   Then using a barrier wipe or spray & letting it dry helps protect the skin from nasty rashes. That barrier skin spray or wipe should be put on right to the edge where skin meets stoma.  It is safe to get the skin barrier on the stoma or he can use tissue or a piece of gauze to dry his stoma & prevent the skin barrier from getting on his stoma.  Drying a typically fluid producing stoma before applying a new pouch or wafer is important here too. 

I'm 14 yrs with an ileostomy & my skin is always slimy around my stoma area under the edges of wafer to my pouch every time I change it. 

Your son is lucky to have a good supportive Mom helping him out here!! Feel free to introduce yourself & your son here on a new forum & tell his ostomy journey here too,  its always nice to get to know the newbies a bit & who is supporting them here.  All the best! 

Linda

Hi, I'm Krista. I also have a very high output ileostomy. I do similar with toilet paper to absorb the outer "juices" from my stoma. I take 2 squares, fold it in half, and then again. I don't tuck it in, the wetness usually keeps it on. I just wrap it underneath and around, like a U. I'm having issues with my belly button. After a day, it turns white underneath by my belly button. I'm on IV fluids and TPN, so I tend to retain water and my abdomen shape changes a bit. And thoughts??? Thank you.

Hi Krista,

Changes to skin colour should be looked at by a nurse or doctor, just to rule out any cause for concern.

Does it look like your skin is turning white from pressure, as if something has been pushing on it for a while? Or is the colour on top of your skin?

@KRISTA SOBOTNIK ... Hi Krista!! Welcome to VO!  I agree with Eric, just to be sure there is nothing going on with skin pressure & whatever else can change with our tender skin, it is best to get it checked out.  I learned a long time ago to lean on what I was taught... " if in doubt, check it out!"...  Something my Mom often said to us kids! 

That said, I've had my Ileostomy for many years now & my skin beneath my wafer is something I baby very well!  It has'nt seen the sunshine like it used to, lol, so it is WHITE under there!! You'll find skin changes here & there. For instance, your skin will toughen up around your stoma, but it takes time & caution from leaks..  Always be gentle taking a wafer off, I have carelessly had small  areas of skin pull off around the outer edge & it can be hard to heal & even feel like a burn of sorts. 

So glad you joined us today! Don't be shy!