Worried About Using a Convex Wafer . . . What Are The Dangers?

My stoma sticks out further than yours, and I was surprised when my nurse said to switch to a convex wafer.... I was a few months out then, like you are now, having some leaking issues, and my belly was soft. As I understand, that's one of the reasons for using a convex, it's not only for having a small stoma. So, it sounds to me like you do in fact need one.

But if there are dangers, I'd be interested to hear them too.

I don't see how they could be dangerous either. If its working for you don't change it.

Hubby's nurses told him he needed a convex one...plus he had to eakin seals & used paste to the right and left of center due to a crease....and leaking

the crease is gone as he has gained weight and it does protrude a bit more now however (this is the 3rd different wafer system and seems to be "the" one) it works really well and no leaking. No need for eakin seals or paste any longer. So unless someone has definite info on why continuing to use a convex wafer is not good, he will continue as well as it definitely works.

I have never heard of convex wafers causing any problems either! I also use a convex wafer and an Eakin Seal. Started out firset because of the incision/stitches healing and leaking problems then because of PG. At this point the PG has mostly cleared up but I don't see any changes of my system in the future. I have no leaks anymore. It's great!

But yes, I agree, if anyone knows about any dangers involving convex wafers, please share!

Thanks, everyone.  I am glad there are others using convex with perfectly fine stomas and no issues.

I did google it several ways and the only thing I came up with was there could be break-down of the skin & area around the stoma [whatever that means].  I also found a post on another board about redness under the convex wafer. 

In further checking, I found this pamphlet that really sets my mind at ease.

http://www.ostomy.org/ostomy_info/wocn/wocn_convex_pouching_systems.pdf

Since it is working for me, and I don't have any problems around the stoma [so far] I am going to continue to test the convex vs the flat and see if it really does make a difference with leaking.  I am betting I do need the convex, so we shall see . . .

I can only confirm that convex made the difference when I had leaking problems. I use coloplast convex light. You might try convex light, because they are less visible through your clothes than regular convex.

Dan, good job. Will put a lot of minds at ease. Rosemary

Thanks again, everyone.

And Dan, I don't know why I didn't think to call Hollister or Convatec and ask about it.  Duh, me 

Purgatory
Just a question.....with a urostomy do you have irritations and open skin problems at the stoma (?) as we do with ileo's?

Dan

Hi I have been trying to find something comfortable in with a convex as i have a 1inch stoma that is about 19mm and it is in a depressing in my tummy, I was using Coloplast Altrena (14243) but i found the plastic ring in the plate was to stiff and would not go in and fill all the depressions on my soft belly, my stoma is also very close to my belly button which made it even harder, (But I love the locking device on the bag and the way the bag closes on the bottom, is very secure) but the ring on the base plate was not great for me, as it always had hollows in the depressions when i removed it, (which was scary ) so i tried Hollister New Image (14503) with a floating flange and tape, (22Mill they don't make them in 20 mill) (why not ? I have no idea ) anyway the flange is good and it sticks all around and gets into all the depressions, it is also lighter and more comfortable, but i am not happy about the way the bag fits on like a tupperware container and the bottom of the bag is a bit fiddly and you have to be sure you get the velcro in the right place for it to be secure, or it leaks, I tried the Hollister adapt barrier ring (7805) as I needed a ring that was smaller to go around the stoma, I found it was to thick, I contacted hollister and they sent me some samples of there one peice, but i had the same problem it didn't adherence to the skin around my belly and or attach to the depressions, although these come in 20mm , so i didn't need to use a barrier ring, and it was to thick around the wafer and uncomfortable, so i tried the eakin slim (839005) they work okay and are not as think as the Hollister adapt rings, but i am finding they are too thick, also and they push down on the skin around the stoma to much, so i have contacted Ainscorp they have a ring called Dermacol it is very thin and has a neck that will come up, like a collar and can be cut to suit the stoma, I am hoping this will do the job, of protecting the skin around my stoma, which is very red and broken away, because the convexity is made to deep and wide by the rings, I have been using and if i push them down to make them thinner they become to wide a convexity, it is a pain tiring to get the right product and help, it seems the convexity on the wafer is enough for me, and the barrier ring makes it just that little to much for me - to bad I can't get fit the Coloplast bag with it's great locking device and easy open and close at the bottom to the Hollister floating flange. Sometimes i think I should just design one for them it is not hard and I know what would work so much better, Maggie