Posted 10/23/2015 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
When I 1st got my loop it drive me crazy. It won't stand up, it's short, it sinks down under the wafer. The constant burning, leaking, size changes, constantly changing bags, soreness, etc. after lots of trial and error, I can now go 5-6 days before changing. I've worked very closely with my ostomy nurse. She knows so many tricks. I'll share my process, but it is long, crazy and meticulous. It works though!
- I remove my bag with Coloplast sting free adhesive remover. It's an aerosol spray. The wipes are too irritating for me. I shower to wash the area with baby shampoo.
-My first layer of skin protection is MYLANTA dried with a hair DRYER on cool. If I have a bit of irritation, I might add a little NYSTATIN to the mixture. My ostomy nurse told me to spray the area with NASACORT nasal spray if I ever need to heal an allergic reaction quickly and protect skin. So sometimes I'll add that preventively.
- 2nd layer is stoma POWDER and Coloplast BARRIER SPRAY dried with the DRYER.
- 3rd layer I cut strips of DUODERM extra thin CGF dressing to irritated areas and closest to the stoma. It's made by Convatech to protect dermal ulcers.
- 4th layer I put small strips of Stomahesive around the stoma to help keep leakage from getting to my skin. Since I'm lazy about changing my bag and only like to change every 5-6 days - this helps.
- 5th layer is the barrier ring. I'm using Coloplast Brava now but Hollister worked well too. It's just too thick for the convex wafer. My favorite for protection was the MARLEN KARAYA RING. However, I'm allergic to it.
- Next I use the MARLEN DOUBLE FACED ASHESIVE TAPE DISCS on the wafer. It is really sticky and it comlpletely keeps the wafer attached to my skin.
- I take small pieces of the Stomahesive and fold them around the hole of the wafer so they stick straight up on the inside. This creates a turtleneck for the stoma to help it stand up straighter.
- I put the wafer on making sure all moist parts of the stoma and loop are inside the hole. This means cutting the he a little bigger than what seems logical. However my nurse taught me that if any of the moist parts or loop are under the wafer, it will not stick long and will leak. The layers of protection like the Duoderm help with the moist parts if I accidentally cut the hole too small. But if I get it right, then it stays on much longer.
- I wear a belt 24/7. I mix and match the brands. Hollister seems to work best with my Coloplast Sensura convex wafer plate. Who know why.
The entire process takes about 45 minutes, but it works for me for about 5 days.