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Convatec wafers seem huge

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Posted 3/28/2011 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
I am finally getting to try all my product samples now that my incision is healed. So far, I have really liked Coloplast and had been using both the Assura and Sensura one-pieces since surgery. Just tried the Sensura Click two-piece and liked that too, even though it didn't stick quite as well as the one pieces just because the tupperware-like seal is rigid and pries up a bit on the side where my incision dips (my belly kind of looks like a split top loaf of bread now:). I also have a Coloplast adhesive coupling one to try which might work well because it is more flexible. Before I dig that out though, I thought I would switch up brands. Today I put on a Convatec Esteem Synergy adhesive coupling two piece. One thing that surprises me is the huge size of the wafer. My stoma is 1 3/4" by 1" (irregular oval) which puts me in the large size according the rep on the phone. The wafer for this stoma size is 5x5 square. Anyone else notice that these wafers are bigger than comparable ones in the Hollister and Coloplast lines? I am thin and have a pretty narrow waist and it goes from my belly button on the left to over my hip bone a bit on the right. We shall see how it works, but I am definitely nervous moving into uncharted territory:)
Posted 3/28/2011 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
I started with a convatec two piece in the hospital, and the wafer was a lot bigger than others I've tried, and it also was more rigid. I found the pouch end hard to clean too. I liked the flexible ring, where you don't have to cut it and it's like having the eakin seal built in..... I think that's why my nurse picked it for the first bag, but that feature was not enough for me to overcome the other issues.
Posted 3/28/2011 6:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have some of the Convatec moldables to try too, but that one is tricky as well. Because my stoma is oval, the hole looks like it will stretch fine around the 1 3/4" width of my stoma, but then there will be at least an 1/8" gap at the top and bottom where my stoma is only 1". The rep said I wouldn't be able to use the medium size flange, as the width of my stoma is too big, so I should just use an Eakin ring to fill in the spots where the moldable won't reach my stoma. That seams to defeat the purpose though, and I am afraid my stool will eat through the Eakin where it is exposed that much. I will still give them a try at some point though just to see what happens.

So far the Convatec seems to be sticking alright. Even though the wafer is huge, it is thin and almost seems to hug my skin and incision indentation better than the Coloplast, which due to its thicker plastic nature, seems to peel up some around the edges.

This is also my first opaque pouch since surgery. I got pretty used to seeing my stoma and output and now it is weird to not know what is going on in there
Posted 3/28/2011 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
I've used the convatec wafers for years and like the fact they are bigger than the others as they create a much more secure seal especially when I am skinny when in flare as stoma fairly close to hip bone and other wafers tend to lift up and not stick as well. They do stick very well over lumps and bumps and stay stuck as well regardless of how energetic you are. I use the natura ones and have tried the mouldable wafers recently. They are slightly smaller than the ones I use. Have only use them twice so still deciding whether to swop onto them instead of my usual ones but great thing is I can still use the natura bags that don't have the integral clip system, much prefer separate clip as easier to keep clean.

So don't forget if you like wafer but not bag you can change style of bag and keep same wafer.
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