Stop the leaking already!

Leaks are common at first its a big learning curve. What system and products are you using?

Put a waterproof protector over the mattress for under the sheet. You can buy the large disposable pads...after a week or less they can get a bit wrinkled under the sheet if you don't want to use an inexpensive plastic covering.

Someone suggested using the produce bags from the supermarket...when she goes to sleep put one of those over the pouch and loosely tuck in place (hubby uses the 1" belt) and it does work as we tried it once. You do need to discard the produce bag as it does have a bit of an odor the next morning. I like this hint as I am bringing those on the cruise we will be taking just for a little extra insurance for him for sleeping and not worrying about anything leaking onto the sheets. (He has not had it ever happen but just in case since I thought it was a good hint and works)

We have the sure seals too and have tried them a few times. We just find they are a bit of a challenge to remove...once you get it started to remove you need to use enough of the adhesive remover pads and just slowly keep at it to fully remove as you don't want to tear the skin. They DO work and we will be using them on the cruise since it won't be very easy to do a change if a situation arises at an inconvenient time and the sure seal definitely buys you some time to get to whereever to do a change. If you order make sure you order the correct size.

Hope she had a comfortable night.

Is your daughter using Adapt or Eakin Rings? They completely stopped all leaks for me. I was sent home from the hospital using Coloplast strips and had a leak within my first week and a couple of other close calls. This was mainly due to wound drainage getting under the wafer, but still, the Coloplast strips just didn't stick for me, nor did just using the wafer alone. Another stoma nurse suggested Adapt Rings, and they worked so well... even with my oozing incision. I later switched to Eakin Seals which I liked even better. If you aren't trying either of these, I would give them a go.

I do the same thing as Another UC wife where I buy the large disposable pads and put one under my sheet. One lasts a while even though it gets wrinkly. I have never had a leak that got on the sheets, but it does give me peace of mind.

Continue to try different brands too. I found that Convatec Surfit Natura Durahesive wafers stick to me through anything, where Coloplast did not. Other people find the opposite true, so we are all different and you just have to try a lot of things.

Though I haven't had to use one, I have heard that the standard elastic ostomy belts that hook on to the side of the wafer are very helpful for many. My insurance covers these at 80%, so check with your company. It may end up being very cheap.

I also like the wraps by companies such as Ostomy Secrets or Comfizz (out of the UK but the ship to the US). I had to wait a while out of surgery to wear these though because the tightness of them hurt my belly and incision until I healed. Once healed, they are great and hold the pouch in place really well and conceal it under tighter clothes.

Good luck and hang in there.

Are you putting powder or anything else under the wafer? What type of soap does she use?
For sleeping I took two heavy waterproof pads and sewed a sheet to the top, that way they are soft andif. I do have a leak I can just pick that up and not have to change sheets, andsince the sheet is on there it feels just like the bed.
I don't know why everyone has such trouble with the sureseals, they come right off for me, I just pull at the top of the wafer and it come right off with it. Maybe its because I go so long between changes.

I would definitely suggest trying the Eakin Seals under her pouch. I was having terrible leaks using just my pouch due to PG and all that fun stuff. Since using Eakin seals, I haven't had a single leak.

I also use the Sure Seals as extra protection, despite not having any leaks. They work wonders as well. I'm with you summer, I have no problems as well with mine coming off. We might be the same case, I change mine with my whole system, once every 6 days or so.

I hope everything works out for you and your daughter!

so sorry to hear of your troubles.. as the others have said, it's early days and leaks are VERY common at this stage. As she has a loop ileo, this is more likely to retract and cause problems. Does it look like it's sunk in a bit since surgery?? in which case she might need a convex wafer to help push it out.

You may not be doing anything hugely wrong, it's just going to take a little while for the stoma to heal properly and to learn which pouch/wafer etc works best for you. It must be very tough when you're 13 - poor girl :-(

I struggled with leaks early on too.. I still had some hard plastic stitches around the stoma and that seemed to be causing the problem. As soon as they were removed, it healed and was better. Although I finally gave in and have a convex wafer and that has done the job perfectly - haven't had a leak for ages and feeling MUCH more confident. Sure seals etc are great, but ideally you want it to not leak under the wafer at all.

Suggest she tries convex and see how you get on.. Good luck! Sarah