Welcome, Chums.

I'm sorry you're going through that. I had a similar experience when my incision wound that runs below my belly button split open. I had to trim large areas of my wafer out so that I could avoid putting it over the wound, but that created leaks... It was a challenge, but eventually things healed up and it got easier.

I'm glad that Convatec has offered to help.

How close is the problematic incision wound to your stoma? Do you have any space to work with?

Thank you for your feedback.  My incision is vertical and about an inch away from the adhesive edge of the ostomy bag.  Although this was where I had the initial infection, so far the leakage has not made it's way to that wound as there is a bit more space.  However, my old stoma wound is directly below the edge of the adhesive of the ostomy bag if that makes sense.  So when my leaks occur and I try to remove the bag, removing the adhesive edge immediately compromises the wound dressing on the old stoma and that is where the stool leaks right into.  The leaks occur on the bottom (above the old stoma wound) and sides of the bag.  The wound nurse has been trying different methods of wound vac dressing for both wounds, but there just isn't enough space to spare with the leakage above the old stoma wound.  I know this won't last forever, but my fear is getting the old stoma wound infected and being caught in a vicious circle of trying to heal!  Thank you.

I like Eric’s idea of cutting the wafer a bit to keep it away from the wounds I had to do that once. What pouch are you using? You may want to get samples from Coloplast for the sensura mio it has elastic adhesive and I have not had one leak since switching to it. The base plate is smaller as well. I would use a clear transparent pouch for now until things heal do you can see what’s going on and get to a leak immediately. There are barrier rings and barrier wipes to help stick the pouch better too. Cutting the hole or having the right size for your stoma is crucial too for leaks but you have a new stoma so that size is going to change for a while until it settles in. 
Would  defiantly call Coloplast and try some of the mio pouches. Would you possibly need a convex pouch? That might help. They will send a few for free. 

Thank you for your suggestions, I will look into Coloplast.  I'm using a Hollister bag now with barrier ring.  I've gone through so many bags lately--I tried another brand and that fell off right away, so I went back to the Hollister.  Thanks again.

@chums  ... Hello Chums & Welcome to VO!!  On reading your forum I got to thinking that the need seems to be covering up the incision so your wafer sticks to you & still allowing the incision to stay dry & heal & protecting it from leak output.  I've always wondered what I'd do if this happened to me.  

I'd suggest putting a sterile piece or 2 flat over the incision, or one cut in half & laying them together & then a piece of Tagaderm tape, its the clear tape thats put over an IV needle,  putting that over the gauze to hopefully allow the wafer to stick without having to cut any away as your leaks are on the bottom & up the sides, the tagaderm might allow the full wafer to stick to a surface rather then cutting away a piece where you might need it most.  

You can buy Ostomy C shaped stretchy tapes to also stick to the outside edge of your pouch. Coloplast makes them &  I use them all the time for added security.  They have saved my clothes many times. You can ask for both size samples also. I have cut away a piece of tagaderm to heal a small area & it never compromised sticking. 

I use these ones & find them to be a perfect size for me... Coloplast Elastic Barrier Tapes, small C Shaped, reference # 12070,   theres enough in a box for 2 on each pouch & they cover the whole circumference with a bit of over lapping. .The... Large size ref.# 12076,   but there's more in that box bcuz they are shorter in length. I found them to be way too big. Ask for samples. 

You may need to buy the Tagaderm on line but I was pleased that our small town pharmacy carries them. Save some energy & make phone calls to ask for them before running around too much. Tagaderm is that clear film placed over the IV needle & its breathable for skin, I use these for another purpose & its never come off but the edges have a tendency to curl up so... a tip... if you try this, once its on stretch the edges & corners, this prevents it curling up when moving & getting stuck on clothing.  

Please be sure & let us know what you found works best. It'll help others down the road!  All the best!!

Thank you for all the good suggestions.  My regular nurse will be back in a week and has been trying all different ways when changing the wound vac dressings and ostomy bag, so I will show him all the suggestions I have received.  I am very grateful for everyone's feedback!

@chums your welcome snd the mio pouches edges are clear also. And if you feel you need a border they have hydrocollid border strips  to go around them as well. I don’t  need the border as these stick very well but peel off very easily without ripping my skin. Nice secure pouch and comfy. Feels like you barely have anything on. I used to wear convatec and now there will be no switching to anything else for me but it’s different for everyone. Every bag is not for everybody but I felt a need to tell you about these since your In this difficult situation. Also would it help to maybe tape something to the edge of your pouch in the underneath. Something like maybe square and waterproof but something that will still let your old stoma wound get air and that way if you leak it will just roll down into what you taped to the pouch instead of your old stoma wound. Then when you sleep try to sleep on the opposite side of the surgery wound so if you leak in your sleep it will go to that other side 

it sounds like if your having that many leaks you do need to try a different bag or method. 

@chums

Hello Chums,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I've dealt with a similar situation. I had an open abdomen with 1 and eventually 2 ostomies (one on either side).

Both were close to my incision making applying a bag difficult at times. I did what many suggested and trimmed the bag where needed with temporary success.

Leaks are an issue. Try not to stress and I say this only speaking from the aspect of going through it myself. Providing some context to my post. I initially had 4 surgeries over 11 days, with a total of 10 over 4 years beginning in 2019. I almost lost my life during those initial surgeries. I had a severe case of Diverticulitis accompanied by infections. It was only supposed to be one surgery.

I also woke up with an unexpected friend (a colostomy bag).

At that time, that was my worse nightmare if I may be transparent. Leakage was an issue.

I was admitted to the hospital twice for 14-day stays each, due to complications from leaking.

I experienced PTSD sometimes associated with leaking and physical complications as stated. I had a great medical team (Dr. and wound care nurses) but they couldn't always resolve the issue. I remember literally sitting in my hospital room, thinking there has to be something better, something that works.

I was literally going out of my mind!

Out of self-preservation, while in the hospital, I have to laugh - I created a raw prototype. I turned into McGwyver - showing my age.

After several revisions, I found something that actually worked - it stopped the leaks.

Upon being released from the hospital, with the help of an engineer - I formalized my device.

I was the test subject for 18 months and I'm pleased to report it passed with flying colors.

Chums my device is now patent pending and I will have prototypes that I want to put in the right hands for free. My device was not created from the aspect of how many I may sell but how many I may help.

It inspired an unbelievable passion to bring relief to the masses.

I know the pain point impacting thousands, I lived it. Sometimes I wonder if I was inflicted so that I could bring about a true solution. God works in the most mysterious ways. I'll have my prototypes in 3 weeks.

It's my daily mission to make the world better than yesterday.

I'm wondering if I would be able to help you. I'm talking three weeks which may be too late.

To anyone reading this post, please save it if you believe I can help someone dealing with leakage issues. 

This is no large corporation or someone in a lab coat, that created something with the intention of making money. It's the exact opposite.

Ngozi Opara stated...

"It gets to the point where you have to ask yourself, are you just going to identify this as a problem, or are you going to partake in a solution". That's the mindset that spawned my device.

Take care and depending on how your situation develops, feel free to reach out.

I hope this post is okay Mr/Ms. Moderator.

@bdunb95 Thank you for the post. If you'd like to create a new post with details about how someone can contact you to either get a prototype, that would be good. But please post more details or a photo (after the patent clears, if you like) so that it's not too vague.

Good luck!

@veganostomy 

Thank you so much for your response. I'm new at this. I was an X-ray technologist for 17 years but after my initial 4 surgeries and almost losing my life - I jumped. I'd been given a second chance at life. I was going to spend it chasing my dreams, nothing can be taken for granted - trust me. I have a much bigger purpose. I knew 3 things after regaining my wits after those first 4 surgeries. I was leaving the medical field, I was opening a restaurant, and I was getting a dog with a lot of bandanas :)

I also went back to school after the 4th surgery. I'll be graduating with my BS in Business Administration with a Certificate in Entrepreneurship on July 3rd. This journey is unbelievable and I know who made it possible and it wasn't me.

My device serves my newfound purpose to help others. Thank you for being willing to assist me in this endeavor. Once I realized what I had created, my thought shifted to who I may be able to help. I'm going to put something together with pictures elaborating in more detail on what I'm bringing to the table. I will also include relevant contact information. Again thank you, it's not about sales but how many we can help. The underlying purpose that drives my company.

@chums Would it work if you would seal the wound dressings with wafer extenders or Aquaguard and then apply your wafer as usual, if necessary, even partly over the wafer extender strips / Aquaguard?  That way, the wound dressing would be sealed off and protected from any output making its way over there. I don't think Aquaguard is breathable, so you might not want to seal the dressing completely.

Edit: I just saw that @chelly posted a similar idea, sorry if my post is redundant. However, if your wound care nurse can get her hands on some Aquaguard, it might be a good solution.

Veterans, would the wafer stick on top of wafer extenders or Aquaguard? 

Thank you for your suggestions, I will look into the Aquaguard.  We did try wafer extender strips and another type of hydrocolloid strip, but when I had the leaks, it was a little tricky trying to remove the ostomy bag near the strips by the wound and as I fumbled with it, I compromised the wound dressing and the stool would just leak more into the wound.  My regular wound nurse is back and was happy to see my wounds are improving and we are trying another method of applying the wound vac dressing's clear tape.  Thank you again.

@bdunb95 Thank you for sharing your story and suggestions.  I wish you much success with your device!

@chums Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!