HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

# of supplies used?

Support Forums
>
Ostomies
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/30/2013 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! I've always been under the impression that less is more, in regards to a stoma & ileo. However, when I browse forums, I see ppl. using all sorts of stuff- adhesive removers, sure seals, barrier sprays, powders, moldable stick stuff, etc... I hoped to just stick on a wafer, attach a bag, & maybe some powder if irritation develops. Some M9 drops too! I've read on other boards that simply washing the skin around the stoma with mild soap should remove all the adhesive, then dry well, re-attach new stuff, & you're off! Am I being naive to think that most times, one really doesn't need much product? Please don't say I can expect to be dealing with 5+ steps every time I change a bag....
Posted 1/31/2013 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Before my surgery, I watched a lot of YouTube videos of people showing how to change there osotmy bags and I thought...."wow, there sure is a lot of stuff needed".  Come to find out that isn't the case for me.  When I was having skin issues from leakage, I too was using  "alot of stuff" but once I went back and consulted with a WOC nurse, she took one look at my situation and said "Oh, I can fix that"  and she did.  Just an Adapt Barrier ring, a convex bag and a warm wash cloth to get the adhesive off when I chang is all I use.  It literally takes me less than 10 minutes and I'm on my way. 

Recently I joined the local Ostomy Support Group in my area and I am learning so much for those veterens.  One gal there has had her ileo for 42 years and boy the stories she tells.  Things are so much better now. 

Keep in mind that everyone is different....different body types, different lifestyles, etc. so getting good information goes along way to finding what works best for you regardless of how much "stuff" it takes.

Posted 1/31/2013 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
eva.. yes, usually less is more. I can change my whole system in less than 3minutes. I use nothing but warm water and wash cloth to clean, adapt barrier ring, a tad bit of stoma powder and barrier wipe, wafer, and bag. Seriously, I do all of this in less than 3minutes. Oh yes.. and M9 drops after each time I empty.

I think a lot of people end up with problems when they try to use too much stuff. I prefer the simple, minimalistic, speedy approach! On this board people there are a lot of people new out of surgery and having lots of problems. Sometimes it takes experimenting the first month or so to figure out systems/methods that work so that is why you see so many products and complicated processes here.
Posted 1/31/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
thanks! and yes, many posters on this particular forum are new ostomates, so I suppose one would try anything initially. It's funny, I also post on the UOAA (United Ostomy Assoc. of America) forum, & the majority of ppl. there are old-timer ostomates. The responses are totally different from this one, same exact questions, etc. It's neat to get a broad view of responses- I use jpouch.org too, the ostomy forum there. Having been on the UC Healingwell forum for years now, I guess i'm jsut a sucker for this board! I'm sort of eager to start trying products... a little weird, maybe, but I'm taking it as a good sign! :-)
Posted 1/31/2013 3:26 PM (GMT 0)
     How well I remember the feeling of being overwhelmed by reading all the "stuff" and the procedure of changing the "bags" rolleyes !

     Everyone in this forum has his/her own niche, so to speak.  Personally, I found one I am extremely comfortable with.  I use the Coloplast Sensura one piece see through bags.  Some people may feel...yuk, I don't want to see my poop....but I like to check on things and make sure everything is coming out ok..lol.

     Step #1...I use the adhesive remover (only one does the trick for me), to carefully wipe as I slowly pull the bag off from top to bottom.  Step #2...I wipe around the stoma area and the stoma itself with a throwaway clean wash cloth that I purchase from the medical supply store (I think they come in a bulk package of maybe 100 or so)..warm mild soap and water.  Clean soap residue off with just mild water.  Dry thoroughly around stoma.   Step #3...I always use stoma powder, sprinkle, wipe with kleenex.  Step #4..stick on the bag...TA DA...all finished.  Good to go for three days.

Posted 1/31/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
     OOOPS...forgot to mention.  After applying the bag, I squirt about eight drops or so of Reliamed deodorizing drops in the bag...don't want it to be stinky at emptying time..lol.  I squirt the drops in every time I finish emptying...about four times a day.  I like the Coloplast because the bottom has the velcro...very easy to manage.  I undo it, rinse out the bag (it stays attached to you) from the bottom with a few cups (I use the small bathroom cups) of water, then add the drops.
Posted 1/31/2013 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Well in the beginning it was comical using this and using that it seems. However due to the weight loss my husband did have a crease at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position when the wafer was applied so he did need to plug it up a bit on the underside of the convex wafer by aplying a strip of paste on each side.

When he put weight back on and things filled out the crease was gone so we stopped applying the paste. He did use eaking seals or adapt rings initially but the convexity is enough and as such does the job for him.

Aside from a few leaks early on and some skin irritations because of it and not changing fast enough he would use the powder to heal it. Also the outer adhesive on wafers did not agree with his skin so he uses wafers with no outer adhesive.

As of now the system he uses is the Coloplast Sensura one. He changes on Wed and Sun. The wafer comes off very easily with no residue to speak of but adheres for the 3 -4 days very well prior to the full change. In the shower he uses Ivory soap...rinses really well. After drying off the only thing he uses is the spray pump Smith and Nephew skin barrier prep, dries it then applies the wafer. (Crossing fingers here) this routine has worked extremely well for over a year and 1/2 with no mishaps.
Posted 2/1/2013 2:26 PM (GMT 0)
I just use my wafer, bag and Eakin Seal. Oh, and paper towels and water to clean up with. Nothing else. KISS principle in action :)
Posted 2/1/2013 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I use paste, the wafer, the bag and sure seals. I clean it with water on a piece of towel, then dry it with another piece of towel. Put it on, use the hairdryer for a few seconds press it down a bunch. Then do my sure seal.
When I eat certain things or if I'm going somewhere I always use m9 or the little packs, but not if its just me at home.
Posted 2/1/2013 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
It's really hard to say what you need, until you are living it.

I only use a wafer/pouch/eakin/sure seal...there was a time that I had to figure out what worked for me and tried a lot of different products. I use paper towels and water to clean the area when I change and I only have to spend about 5 minutes twice a week on changes.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply