I really need some advice on this one. I am six months out from surgery, and I have had leaks due to my mistakes and the my stoma taking on a new (and not circular) shape. We learned how to cut and oval (sort of) flange from a template my ostomy nurse made for us, but this Saturday, just two days out from a appliance change (I change twice a week, or every four days), I woke from a nap to find the entire appliance - bag still attached to the flange and the barrier ring attached to the flange had completely come off and was in my underwear. Of course my output was active so there was a mess everywhere (we are not telling my mother in law if you read my earlier posts about
her opinions on ostomates).
What would make the whole adhesive give way like that? Frankly it scares me that it would happen again. I wash with only Ivory white hard soap (I found the liquid Ivory has lanolin in it). It was only just two days old? I used no lotion or anything like that in the area. My wife helps me to change as it goes more quickly than when I do it alone - and we did everythiing the same - or so we think. We haven't changed or used any new products. I shaved my body hair the week before - so that wouldn't be a reason.
Can anyone help me figure this out. I was just gaining some confidence about myself - and I would be mortified if this happened if I were out and about. Has this happened to any else - where the whole bloody thing just gives way?
It is amazing how one accident like this can change my mindset and get paranoid like I was in the beginning. Confidence was building in me when I was able to control the small leaks I was having earlier on - but this one event (because it was large and very messy) seems to have unsettled me and made me nervous about going out again.
So far so ggood with my change of appliance on Saturday afternoon - it looks to be adhering well - Could this just be an anomally?
Love to all here
bob