Shower without bag but with wafer

I was wondering if it would be okay to take a shower without the bag on., but with the wafer on.  It's not time to completly change everything, but I have been changing my bag after my shower and I was wondering if I could just shower without it on.  Also, last time I took a shower not the part that is right next to the stoma, but the other part that sticks to your skin came loose.  (You'll have to forgive my terminology, I'm new to all this.)  I guess I got too much hot water on it.  Is there a way to avoid that.  I guess that waterproof tape.  I ended up having to change everything last time.

My skin is itching really bad under my wafer today under my stoma.  When I look at my skin under where stuff comes out, it doesn't look irritated.  I just change everything the day before yesterday and I know it's better not to change it more than necessary because it's hard on your skin.

I appreciate everyone's willingness to share here.  It's really hard sometimes.  My mom has a trip coming up that she had planned to go one with someone else and that person can't go.  She decided I should go since I'm not working right now.  I'm happy to go, because I haven't had a vacation in a long time and she's paying for it (make's everything better!).  I'm excited, because I haven't had a vacation in a really long time (used all my time for surgery and recovery) but it is going to involved air travel and several days away from home.  I haven't been away from home for more than probably 2 hours since I had surgery.  I'm worried about all the stuff that goes along with having an ileostomy.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

If you use skin prep the water will make the 'tape' release. You should get a sample of a Sure Seal...they are AMAZING...waterproof and breathable membrane that protects your wafer from water.

The itch could be your body's reaction to the product. Have you tried other brands? Maybe just try your brand's style that doesn't have tape around the wafer. I always got a little itchiness when I used the style with tape. Does a Benadryl stop the itch?

You'll worry less as time goes on! Go on the trip just bring extra supplies (twice what you think you'll need!) and don't put them in your checked baggage...keep them with you:)

Best wishes!

My stoma is actually quite active first thing.  I don't really understand why.  I don't eat a lot before bed.  It really seems to be active all the time.  I've always had a "busy" stomach.  It's always been gurgley.  When my husband and I first started dating we were talking on the phone.  My stomach gurgled an my husband asked, "was that your stomach?"  Talk about embarassing.  He heard it over the phone!   I guess it was an omen.  Now he has to listen to it all the time - now it's even louder!  He knew what he was getting into.

I really like how it feels to shower without the bag on.  I feel like I can get really clean.  As I said, my stoma is reallyl active, though.  Sometimes I will take a shower without it on, but I have to be quick and hope it all runs down the drain if it comes out.  Then I have to be really quick with the drying off and have to hold a tissue over my stoma until I can put the appliance on.  Of couse, everything is prepared before hand.  So much for a relaxing shower...

Mmmmm peanut butter.... You know how there are certain foods you can't keep in the house?  Well, that's one of them for us.  My husband and I have PB issues.  We've been know to go through a whole jar in two days.  I know, it's sick.  We love to mix it in with chocolate ice cream.  If we were addicted to crack, at least we'd be thin.  LOL

It's not a matter of concern, more of a matter of preference. It feels good to have it off. Also, I did have it start to come off once. Now I put waterproof tape around the edges before I shower and then take it off afterwards. Maybe I just shower for too long in two hot of water.

cghopper
Is your wafer made withot waterproof tape on it? I have never worn one without tape attached to it? I don't think I would feel very secure.

Dan

I change my wafer every day because my skin is unhappy if I don't but I used to use Sure Seals over the face plate to shower with. They work very well.