A couple of quick question

So I'm just under 4-weeks post-op and have an end ileo. I am currently using convex wafers for the past week or so and they seem to work great. However, the suture line hasn't completely healed yet and I have this tenderness around the stoma, especially when the bag is full. The skin looks great and there's definitely no infection/fungus.

My question is whether or not this tenderness is normal and as the area heal will it go away or is this because the convexity is aggravating the suture line?

Oh and I'm just going to sneak this question in there. I love the Coloplast wafers/pouches but for the life of me I cannot get the waterproof edge of the wafer to stay stuck to me, it's mostly in the area around my belly button. I can if I use a spray adhesive but then it's a mess to remove, any tips??

Thanks!

thanks NCOT. i think its just normal as well just anxious to get past it.

@pluot - when I change the setup again I'll check to see if I can still see any sutures. With the wafer, i'll try snipping it. It just makes me nervous for leaks because you can see down into the wafer so I have to tape it up when I take showers and what-not.

@UCwhat? - Thanks, I put in for some samples of that. I do have the brava strips for the Coloplast stuff as well but that stuff sticks too well. I just want to find that nice middle ground haha.

I love the whole setup for coloplast. I didn't have any leaks with the edges peeling up, but it's uncomfortable like you said. Hopefully I get some samples and try it out.

The edges come up? I wear Convatec sensura convex durahesive wafers with a waterproof tape border and, of course, Friar's. The edge never comes up.

Dan

Hey Rabbit, I think the new Coloplast line coming out in May (the SenSura Mio) may also help, the wafer looks extremely adaptable and flexible - could be a good option near your bellybutton.

I agree with just trimming off the part that won't stick down.

Oh early freebies! Definitely post a review once you've tried the products - I can't wait to try them out!

OK, so I just got home from the grocery store - I was wearing a pregnancy band to keep my bag close to me and about ten minutes before I was leaving I started feeling a burning/itching under my flange, near my stoma. Uh oh, I thought - here comes my first leak.

I got home, checked out the situation and everything looked fine. No more burning either. I wonder if it's nerves playing some games as well? I noticed that whenever my home nurse burned my incision with silver nitrate my peristomal skin felt itchy and burned as well, but there was never any leak. I had shingles a few years back and it was a similar sensation, no amount of numbing cream or scratching took the sensation away, it just had to run it's course. Could be the same idea with what you are experiencing? Overactive nerves healing up?

I suppose the Eakin could expand and pull your skin a bit, or irritate the hairs around your stoma and make you feel the itching/burning. Are you shaving the area? Do you have a lot of body hairs there?

I'm glad you are liking the convex wafer, every little bit helps :)

I had mild itching under my wafer as well as sort of phantom feelings like stinging or occasionally even burning. Contrary to conventional wisdom it was never a sign of leakage for me... just nerve endings finding their way post-op. I don't think it's unusual (though it is annoying).