Struggling to Find Effective Ostomy Supplies

Are the products a lot the same for ostomy supplies? I can't seem to find anything that works very well with the supplies I am currently using. Very frustrating.

Hi there,

Your post question is a bit confusing. What are you trying to find?

So sorry! I keep getting supplies and samples from Hollister. Nothing is working. They asked me what size my stoma was, sent me convex barrier rings that are an inch too small, but I'm not supposed to stretch it more than half an inch.

G'day Kittybou, why are you guys wandering around in the dark? Go see your stoma nurse and she will sort things out for you. Regards, IGGIE

Thank you 🧑‍🎄😸

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Have you tried samples from other companies or other Hollister products? If what you currently use isn't working, you must try other things and not just deal with the misery all the time.

Thank you.

I was set up with Hollister in the hospital and also had issues and very little info. I called Convatec and Coloplast directly and spoke with them. They both sent me a bunch of samples to try, and I found a combo of brands/products that works great. The companies will send you samples of any product they have if you just ask. They will also follow up with you and make suggestions if the samples were not the right fit. It did take a bunch of trial and error with products to find what I like, but I'm sure you will be able to as well.

That's what I needed to know! Thank you so very much! 😸🧑‍🎄☃️❄️

Crossing my fingers you find a good combo quickly!!

I will, now that I know whom to contact. You have been very helpful.

Hello.  

You can do whatever you want with the barrier rings. I stretch the heck out of them. The trick is to warm the ring up before use. I leave the two plastic pull-off covers on. Then put the ring under my arm for a minute or two. Put on nitrile gloves. Pull off the plastic, cut through one side of the ring with scissors. Then squeeze and stretch the ring. I do this to the entire ring. Then, standing in front of a full-length mirror, test fit the ring around my oblong stoma. I start at the stoma bottom and work my way up the sides. You want the ends of the ring to meet at the top of your stoma. Make adjustments where a better fit is needed and at the ring ends at the stoma top. You would be surprised how much you can stretch a ring. Once the fit is good, I use my fingers (still wearing gloves) to gently push the ring against the peristomal skin so the ring sticks. I start at the stoma bottom and end at the top. Check in the mirror once more. Adjust the ring by gently pushing it with a finger.

Now I'm ready to put on the flange. I cut the hole larger. No need to get real close to stoma size. The ring fills the gap nicely. 

If you are getting leaks, next time you change out the flange, put a barrier ring around your stoma. Install the flange. Put another ring around your stoma, stuck to the flange. Now you have two rings providing sealing around your stoma.

I've used Convatec, Hollister, and Coloplast rings. I have not noticed much difference. But I have a colostomy with thick output, so I don't get bad leaks, and the output does not irritate my skin. Ileostomy and other types of ostomy will have many more challenges than I deal with.

 

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