Difficulty Applying Hollister Appliance Post-Colectomy

I'm desperate to figure out how to put on this appliance without any leaking. I have an appointment to get my staples out tomorrow from my colectomy, so hopefully I'll get more direction from the hospital staff. I've been out of the hospital for a little over a week. My wound care nurse has not been available until this Wednesday. I can't seem to make my Hollister appliance fit. I've been over and over the videos; skin, fat, and muscle are lumpy around my ostomy. Any hints or suggestions? I've been going through so much product. I'm feeling very incompetent right now. Thanks for any assistance.

Do you use a ring or flange extender?

Hi and welcome. Everything will fall into place. Education is key on this new journey of yours. I suggest you check out UOAA, United Ostomy Association of America. It's our national organization. Also, Ostomy101.com. You will learn about foods, blockages, skin care, clothing, ostomy products, travel, activities, and a whole host of other tricks of the trade. You might also want to check out a local support group near you. Just remember you are not alone on this new journey of yours. Wearing a pouch does not define who you are. There are solutions. We're here for you. Be patient. Best of luck.

If you don't already, you should try using a ring. It can help seal around the wafer and should prevent leaks for the most part. Are you cutting your wafer to fit closely around your stoma? If you cut the hole too big, it can lead to leaks. Having a ring will help with that too.

 

Hello,

It took me a couple of months after surgery to stumble upon the wafer/bag/moldable ring setup that works excellently for me. Learned it all here from experienced Ostomates.

I have a colostomy, so my wafer sealing requirements are not as stringent as someone with an ileostomy.

All ostomy product manufacturers offer free samples for you to try out. (Look up manufacturers on the internet). Call them for details.

The one thing that really helped me was: moldable barrier ring. Love it. Basically, the ring fits closely around your stoma and is stuck to your skin. Then you put your wafer onto your stoma. The ring seals your stoma, the wafer seals to the ring and your skin. If you have a 2-piece system (where the bag snaps onto the wafer), you can add another ring at the top of the wafer, fitted close to your stoma. Then snap on the bag. Two rings will give you a double seal. Handy if you have skin irritation and need as few leaks as possible for a while. There are many detailed instructions on this website about how to install a moldable ring. If you cannot locate one, post back and I'll write one for you. I use the Hollister 2-piece system with the Coloplast Brava moldable barrier ring. Also use 3M Cavilon skin barrier spray. The Cavilon goes on before the moldable ring and wafer. Helps protect skin.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Hi JS, welcome to the site. You probably still have some swelling around your stoma, making the fitting of the wafer harder. If possible, could you apply the wafer while lying down so the surface is flatter and then use a belt to hold it all tighter?

Uhh... I'm all for new products. When they claim they stop or prevent leaks, I become skeptical.

This thing costs 100 bucks. Made by a fellow ostomy person. Cool.

And I could not view the video, but seeing where it is located doesn't make sense.

I could be going blind. Too many marshmallows consumed.

But it appears to fit between the bag and mounting plate.

Am I seeing this correctly?

Who leaks from there?

He should have better marketing on this thing.

Kinda looks like a washer. Something for the toilet maybe.

(Moments later-duh)...

This holds or presses the bag closer to your mounting flange and in turn presses against your stomach, keeping a seal tight. Ok. I get that.

But... it's visible from the outside and seems bulky. The belt passes through it.

Sorry, no need for that for me.

My C strip extenders and flange belt are good enough for me.

Wonder what others will say.

This ain't for me. Thanks for the post and link.

I know this is frustrating, but believe me when I say that you will get this. I remember feeling quite hopeless in the beginning, but each week things got easier, and now it's like I've had one for years. I'm only four months in, so know that it will get better. Lean on your fellow ostomates.

Is it leaking in any particular spot? How long have you gotten a bag to stay on? Can you tell me a little bit about your process for applying a bag?

I have an ileostomy, but the prep before attaching your appliance is important. I make sure I change it when it's not active to avoid less mess. You'll figure that out as you go along. The first thing I do after I remove my appliance is wipe the area with a wet wipe (I don't think the brand matters). I use a cheap brand to save money. Then I use an adhesive remover wipe and gently wipe around my stoma. Then I use an alcohol prep pad to make sure the skin is sterile and all oils, etc., are removed. It might sting a bit, but all good. I use a hair dryer to completely dry all the skin around the stoma area. The last step is to use a protective skin barrier wipe. I use the hair dryer again to dry the area and heat my skin up as hot as I can without burning or discomfort. This makes my appliance stick and hold much longer without getting a leak. I try not to sit for about an hour until the appliance is secure on my abdomen. I'm not sure if I can list brand names on this app, so I left that part out. I hope this helps you out. It can be a frustrating experience in the beginning, but you'll figure out your body and what works best. Keep shopping until you do. Good luck, and remember you're not alone!!!