Length of wafer wear???

Well,

I thought after reading this site for 3+ months I would have remembered a few things...of course, no one knows what life is like with an ostomy 'til one has one...

Anyway, wondering about what a good lenght of time it is to wear the wafer, and when one should consider chaning early.....what are considerations for Florida humidity and temperature?  taking showers with appliance on?  etc.....

I seem to be doing okay with and eakin seal and hollister new image wafer (cut-to-fit).....however, I don't want to "push" wearing the wafer and ending up with a leak in the middle of a resteraunt...

Also, since I'm still recuperating..not back to work yet or going out too much (thought I did go out twice today in the van...in the morning to the bank/post office) and this evening to Walgreens (to get some ensure and grape juice) and to the car wash.....

So, I'm just wondering from all  you folks who are in regular, daily activity and going out to social events, what's your "safe" wear time for the wafer?

Thanks,

enigma!

 

I generally either see the outer adhesive tape layer coming off or sometimes feel an itch. I use a one-piece hollister [until I change tomorrow] and get anywhere from 2-5 days out of it.

The main reason I have to change my bag is because I've burnt through the Adapt Ring or overnight I was really gassy and have caused a little leak around the Adapt ring.

But I've been using a pre-cut too big for me and will be getting a smaller size tomorrow - hopefully that will mean less burning on the Adapt Ring.

My wafer comes off without much notice. But I have figured out I am going to need a new wafer after a sweaty run of more than 2 hours and after a couple of swim days. I think humidity makes it break down sooner and so does cleaning it too often with squishing water around the stoma.

I also see the edge loosen up or liquid coming thru flange outside adhesive part. Or just plan eruption hole, where goo is coming out!! I hate when that happens. Two years in Aug. and still don't have it all figured out. I think I'm getting to be a paranoid person. The minute I relax my vigilance on the whole thing and wham!! New disaster. Standing inline at son's wedding reception was horrible. Latest was whole wheat toast mush all over tight running pants after two hour run. Didn't even realize until I got home. Wonder if the person I drove home for 30 minutes could smell it!! She never said a word.

I usually change my wafer every 7-9 days and that has been the way for years. If it starts to itch around stoma then I know I have tiny leak starting and will change earlier but that is rare. With the convatec mouldable wafers they have an additional ring of adhesive sort of like mefix tape around outside of wafer and this gives you extra time if leak is starting and so you have time to get home before an accident happens.

I have been to Florida on holidays 3 times since my ileo and been in and out of swimming pools and showers and still stays for 7 days.

stripey,

that is amazing with the 7-9 days and going in the swimming pool and then into the Florida humidity!

You use a convatec moldable wafer?  I'm using hollister only because that's what I was sent home from the hospital with......I think I want to try the moldable wafers as it seems it would make things easier for change time or for emergencies....convatec is sending a couple of samples and I'm going to try the moldable from hollister when those samples get in......it's kind of hard to change things up, but I believe it will be easier down the road with the moldable ones....

Thanks!