How to Measure Your Stoma: Ostomy Tips

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!!! 

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.

I suggested a while back to someone having trouble measuring a difficult stoma shape that they take a piece of paper, or even wax paper, or parchment paper. Trace on a circle from your wafer for size, with a ruler, run lines thru it to make uncut wedges. Then with a sharp scissors or knife cut thru the straight lines. Then you have what looks like a pie cut in wedges. Place the paper over your stoma and then fold back the wedges to the how ever close you want it to the edges of your skin and stoma. Do not make it too small, you can cause swelling and even bleeding. Check the fit with a mirror  and then carefully trace it onto another piece of paper, cut it try it onto your tummy, and then trace onto your wafer., if the fit is good, you can use the plastic as Eric said for a guide to measure again. I hope this works for you.On healing the skin, it is always wise to check with your doctor to make sure whatever is going on does not need an antibiotic or a fungal cream. A fungus can be hard to clear up and needs a prescription. But if you caught a rash quickly from a leak, it will tingle mostly or burn. For myself, I have used the stoma powder, but I have also used some Penetin Baby diaper cream. However, I used  q-tips and ran it between my finger to tighten the cotton, and then used a tiny bit to place on the areas hurting and then the stoma powder on top of that, and then the wafer. The cream can be hard to remove so use sparingly, it stopped further moisture from burning my skin and the stoma powder also absorbed further moisture. I had a rash so bad one day week that I replaced my one piece bag up to three times a day. The rash was oozy of clear moisture and hurt badly. I could hardly move. So, I changed the pouch often for about two days and then was able to lessen it daily as it healed. I have sensitive skin and eczema, but doing it this way helped a lot.  I would also place a wet, but frozen cloth over the pouch after changing to cool the skin, protect the stoma with another cloth. I had been gardening and bent once too often and did not feel the rash taking place so this is what I got. It took a good week for the area to heal again, and not had a rash since thank Heaven. This is not what Eric or his site recommends. The experience was hit and miss. 

Hi Folks, Was having a think about this problem, and what could be SAFELY put round the stoma to then trace an image. One item I have thought of is a “pipe cleaner” these are bendable covered in cotton and would hold shape. Am thinking that fed round the stoma and used to make the shape. this could then to traced on the wafer. These are sold now a days for craft work in packs. Have to say ALWAYS be careful what goes near the stoma.

Any tips on measuring a stoma that is not round? Mine is oval, about 40mm wide and 25mm in height?

HI: I Found this blog the best yet maybe because I could relate to it. I have a urostomy and use Hollister bags, when first having my bladder removed over 4 years ago I talked with a guy who had both, he suggested each time I opened my box of 10 to cut them all to the required size of course leaving the transparent backing on, I also put the tape on, this means when my bag needs changing every 2nd day I only have to remove the backing and tape. As a box only contains 10 bags my stoma size does not change during this time. Originally it took me an hour to cut all the bags now I am down to 45 minutes..
Not sure if this is a help to anyone else with different ostomies.
Regards Jess

Just a comment on the adhesive. Be careful of Holister brand because they use pectin in their adhesive so anyone allergic to apples, peaches, plums, ect. might react to their products. My skin blistered under the water and took some effort to heal.

Has anyone made a stoma measuring guide that you can clean? A box of ten bags comes with (paper) measuring guide, which of course gets dirty as soon as you use it once. I would GLADLY pay $5-$10 for a plastic one which I could re-use.

I’m a new ostomate, temporary ileostomy for cancer, post surgery a little over two weeks. I have been constantly reading and researching what’s out there that might streamline the process, but it’s still a frustrating learning curve, as what works one time might not work another. It has to get better! I’m having reaction to bag adhesive and have skin breakdown at the stoma site, so your information has been MOST helpful! Love the videos and I appreciate that you are freely sharing your experiences, as it lets me know that people live well with this and there’s a lot out there to try.Thanks!