Inverted stoma causing daily leaks - seeking prevention tips

I have an inverted stoma on my colostomy for diverticulitis (though previously I had zero symptoms and clean colonoscopies). The stoma is at the very top of the small stoma hole and slightly under the edge of the skin. Output has to ooze its way from underneath the skin and over the top to make its way out. It creates a big pancake always. If the output is thick, it shoves under the wafer and makes a mess. If it is more liquid, it sprays from under the wafer and makes a bigger mess. The doctor and stoma nurse have been unable to find a method of keeping the pouch intact. Often the break happens during active output.

I do not know what to eat that will prevent this from happening. Does anyone have normal stool after a colostomy? Or is it always either thick, chunky peanut butter or thin, runny pudding? I'm losing weight like mad. I used to eat a lot of salad, potatoes, cheese, nuts, fruits. Now, I have no idea what I can eat that will give me a normal life. If any of you have solved a similar problem, please advise.

What kind of bags do you use?

Hi there,

I am so sorry, I know how you feel. I have an ileostomy and my stoma is also inverted, and I have leaks. My skin is very irritated. I have to change it daily. Technically, if I go by the book, I would be changing it every couple of hours. I am not sure what they have told you to try or what you have tried. Have you talked to your doctor about getting it revised, having it pulled out more?

Hi, 24-year veteran of ileostomy with a recessed stoma courtesy of a peristomal hernia a few years back. Had a beauty before the op, but them's the breaks. I get a fair few leaks, especially (of course) while I'm asleep. About the only things that have helped me is not eating too late, say not after 6 - 7 pm meaning there is less in the bag. Using tapes in a square around the flange to extend the coverage. The tape doesn't stop the leakage, but it does allow the leak to get to the point of stinging enough to wake you before you end up covered in it. I've also started molding the rings I add to my pouch to sit INTO the recess.. Picture an upside-down volcano. I've tried using belts and panties etc.. but the warmth makes for more gas and more leaks! ;All the best, always know where your towel is. X

Hey Kathy

I understand completely. Mine is below the skin level. I too have leaks every day. My skin right under my stoma has a red ring from my output. And the bottom of my wafer won't stay stuck right there because my output hits right at that spot, so it lifts it up and gets under my wafer. I am at the point where I have to have it pulled out. I have literally tried every single thing known to man and then some, but nothing works for me.

My Ostomy Journey: Kimberly | Hollister

That's great you have a good hospital with good staff. Those are hard to come by. Yes, red irritated skin is no fun at all. It hurts bad. So, did your redness go away or do you still have redness? Before I moved, I tried getting my doctor that did the surgery to pull it out more. I was having some issues then about 2-3 months ago. He didn't want to touch it and now obviously the leaking has gotten worse and my skin can't take much more. I moved, so I will be going to a new doctor. Hopefully, he is a good one. If not, I am leaving on on to find another one. Until I find the right one, what did your doctor say about it being below skin level?

Hi, I can relate to the awfulness of the runny or peanut butter consistencies and the despair of the pancake leakages. They caused me to feel very panicked and overwhelmed and I began hating having an ostomy. My "life with colostomy" has improved so much in that aspect over the last couple of months. I think that having a banana daily (I have a dark chocolate covered frozen one!) as a binder has greatly assisted in firming up my output consistency and changing it into solid forms that just kind of pop out of my stoma (her name is "Cherry") very nicely. It makes having the ostomy really pretty easy as I can wear the pouch for several days and emptying it is a breeze. The other intentional things I do now to encourage this output consistency are eating a few pretzels or animal crackers or naan or oyster crackers (some kind of basically zero nutrient bread type filler item) throughout the day and especially before or right after I eat something like a fresh avocado half or some fresh mango. It's frustrating to me to have to eat those empty calorie items and smaller portions of the fresh healthy items but incorporating that combo into my life has made an incredible difference in my ability to "enjoy" living with an ostomy.

My wife is having issues with her inverted stoma leaking. Three times last night. What did you do to fix it? Please help.

Hey Casey, I have to have mine redone. So the doctor will either donate a revision where they go and pull out more of the intestines, so there is more length, or a relocation. If the location spot where the stoma sits is not a good spot, such as the muscles aren't strong enough in that spot, or there are rolls or creases, they will relocate the stoma to a different spot on the abdomen. It should be located on the flattest spot on the abdomen.

How long did you have to wait to get it relocated? She just had surgery 4 weeks ago. Also, hers is supposed to be temporary and fixed after her cancer treatment. Thoughts?

Hey, so I had to wait 3 months before having it fixed. But if it's an emergency situation, that's a different story. I do suggest her getting it looked at. If she is that inverted, you don't want output leaking below the surface that poses other problems. They will recommend using a convex wafer. With being that low, barrier rings are going to add too much height. I suggest trying Brava paste strips. You can't break off a piece and flatten it down to as thick or thin as you want. And mold however you want. And using 3M Advanced Skin Protectant. I used the 3M Advanced Skin Protectant and the strip paste to get me to my next surgery day. Another thing, does she sleep on her back?