Preventing Stoma Leaks: Need Suggestions

Can anyone help with suggestions to prevent leaks? I've had my stoma for three years and have had regular leaks from the time I was in the hospital to now.

What do you use for equipment and what's your procedure for changing things?

Do you use pre-cut barriers or do you cut them yourself? How far does your stoma protrude? Can you use flat barriers, or do you use convex ones? The one time I am sure to get leaks is if I cut the wafer too small. Do you make sure your skin is dry after cleaning? What do you use to clean the area around the stoma? Do you try to make sure you have no folds or wrinkles in the skin under the barrier?

I'll also ask the same questions Alex posed. What products are you using and what is your procedure for changing? Do you stand or lie down?

Daniel

Can you see your stoma nurse at your local hospital, or do you use a home delivery company to get your supplies? They will have one and can visit you at home.

Most leaks are easily solved by nurses. If you do see one, try not to change your bag before seeing them, as a well-worn one will show any weak spots.

Are there any dips in the skin around your stoma, or do you have a flush stoma?

Wear a belt!

See your local ostomy nurse. They have all sorts of free products to help.

 

Hello Dee25;

I too am a 3-year ostomate. After my surgery, I felt the follow-up assistance provided by my insurance was of little use. The visiting nurse was inept on change day and did not provide any information. After joining this ostomy group and reading so many helpful suggestions and valuable information, along with some humor provided, I was able to overcome the depression and hopelessness I experienced early on in my journey. The bottom line (pun intended) for me, in response to your post, is:

Quality equipment and associated supplies (must include patience, determination, and research to discover)

Proper fit immediately surrounding the stoma (for me, it is snug) (many opinions on this)

Above all - cleanliness of skin surrounding the stoma area for stickability - as in cleaner than a freshly bathed baby's butt and requires TOTALLY NAKED SHOWERS and removal of any and all residuals - stoma powder, skin barriers, etc.

JB

I finally took my first naked shower yesterday morning because of a rather messy leak after breakfast, and I have to agree that it is the best way to get yourself clean before the new appliance goes on. I am also learning that a close fit around the stoma is important. I just need to be sure that snug does not become tight to where the barrier folds back on itself. But from now on, it is a shower during every bag change. It took a while to learn that, but I got there. :-)

Daniel

Not sure what "barrier folds back on itself" means, but I cut my pouch first, being careful to follow the lines - my stoma leans toward being more oblong, but I cut a round circle anyway (I have a loop ileostomy - my stoma plus a little sidekick). The sidekick does not function - it was placed to allow for reversal at a later date. So, even though my stoma and sidekick are oblong-shaped, the circle works fine to include the entire stoma but not necessarily the entire sidekick...whew... Anyway, what I wanted to get across is this - once the hole is cut, I place a "slim" ConvaTec barrier ring over the round hole on the bag, making sure the barrier ring matches the hole in the bag exactly. Then I press and seal the edge of the barrier to the edge of the hole and press them together tightly. If they do not match exactly, the barrier will enter the inside of the bag and break into little waxy pieces. This may be what you mean by folding back? If they are matched right, then sealed together tightly, there has never been any issues for me. If they are not matched and sealed, output seeps between the two. No harm done (i.e., no leaks outside the pouch), but the skin underneath tends to need more shower cleanup. Glad to hear you finally showered naked...who but an ostomate would say glad to hear this? I love this website... 🤣. jb

A poor choice of words on my part. What I meant was the inside edge of the wafer catching the stoma and not sealing tightly to the skin, which causes it to lift and promotes leakage.

Daniel

Got it - snug fit is good, but no trespassing onto the stoma! 😬

Hi! I was getting a lot of leaks in the first month after my surgery. I had great stoma nurses, and together we came up with this little trick that has helped me. I cover the filter with those little circle stickers the bags come with, and I leave a little air in the bag (plus add the lubricant), and so far, I have not had any leaks. I also have to use half a barrier ring because of a little dent under my stoma. I have been leak-free for the last 2 months. Hope you found a solution that works for you 🙂

Sensura Mio Convex bags, Coloplast tapes, Salt rings

I use Sensuro Mio convex bags, Coloplast tapes, and Salt rings. My stoma protrudes and I have dips, folds, and a large hernia around my stoma, hence the leaks. How I could prevent these from causing leaks, I don't know. I stand up to fit my bag. If you have new suggestions to try, I'd be very grateful.

Thank you, I'll try this. What do you mean by lubricant? I use deodorant, which is very good, but no one has mentioned a lubricant to me.

Have you tried ostomy paste? I do not have any of the physical issues you describe, so I am afraid I have no firsthand information to offer. I use Hollister pouches and barriers and have never tried flexible solutions, mostly because what I use works for me and I am somewhat leery of things that say they allow flexibility. I fear that more movement would allow for more chances to fail. I admit that this is not necessarily a rational fear and I really have nothing to base it on other than moving parts tend to wear out faster than immobile ones. I wish I could come up with some answers for you. My original questions were meant to help get more information to where people who could relate to your situation could offer advice. The more information, the better the chance for relevant comments.

Daniel

If you are not using stoma paste, you should try it. After 40 years (or maybe because of it), I still get leaks. I use the paste around the cut hole in the flange, but I also use Brava rings. I cut them in half and put a piece under my stoma to level things out. Usually, it works, but I have to say, I was walking to play pickleball and felt that distinct cold wetness. Just be sure to seal things well and ensure the flange is secure before attaching the bag. Hope you find a solution.

Don’t totally naked showers cause a mess? I would be terrified to try this. Sorry, had to ask! 

Not at all. Just do the shower in the morning and make sure you don't eat much after dinner the night before. Since I started taking naked showers with my ileostomy, I have only had one little plop on the shower floor and that easily slid into the drain. It just takes a little planning. You have had an ileostomy for a while, so you should be familiar with how your particular stoma works. But if you don't put anything in, not much is going to come out. :=)

Daniel

This is true. I shower before a bag change anyways so this is planned for early morning as well. I think I would be nervous to try but would feel so clean afterwards! Thanks for the response 😊

Once you do, you will never want to do any different. At least, that is the way it was for me. :)

Daniel

Thanks for your comments. I will try your suggestions.

Sorry it took a while to respond! My deodorant is also a lubricant. Honestly, I don't think the “deodorant” part works LOL. It's the “lubricant” from Adapt.

The deodorant part seems to work for me. But my diet and rinsing my bag may have a lot to do with that. I tend to stay away from a lot of odor-producing foods, like onions in particular. And I love onions! :-(

Daniel