Ileostomy Bag Leaks Due to Hernia - Seeking Advice and Tips

Please help. I have had my ileostomy for almost 2 years. I have developed a hernia near my stoma. I am having a lot of difficulty with my pouches. The adhesive from them is leaking through. I have no idea why. I am going broke buying bags and no one seems to know how to help. Does anyone else have this problem or can offer a solution? Need help desperately. Hope to hear some tips soon. Cindy.

Hi Cindy. Need a bit more info to try and help. You say you have a hernia. Are you using a convex or flat wafer? Did your stoma retract? And is the skin right around your stoma red and weepy?

Do you use a 2-piece system? What manufacturer makes your wafer/bag?

Have you considered using a support belt?

All ostomy device manufacturers offer free samples. They also have ostomy nurses available to help you over the phone. I have a parastomal hernia and use a support belt. It helps hold the bag and wafer tight to the body. So far, it has prevented my hernia from getting worse.

These are basic troubleshooting questions asked.

The sooner you answer, the faster and more accurate a response will occur.

Darn, not meant for you, Beth. Meant for the O.P. Hate this site sometimes, although I could be half asleep, which isn't helping.

Ok ok, Warrior, I ate the last cookie from the cookie jar. Geez, I answered your questions. Lol, but joking aside, I was gonna say, "What questions, Warrior?" Lol, and yeah, you know, there's been a whole lot of mess-ups lately, not only with this site but with stupid AI as well. It keeps changing my spelling no matter where I am. And yes, I've messed with my settings to try and set it right. I hate the AI crap.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

It really sucks them watching over us and correcting our replies. I saw some old posts

I wrote totally edited by them.

Whatever happened to free speech? Oh... AI?

Blows raspberry😋

A hernia needs to be pressed down using something like a belt to provide a proper surface for the wafer to remain attached.

I feel really sorry for what you're going through; I advise seeing a doctor and an ostomy nurse to get you fixed up right again.

If you're drinking coffee, that may be making the burns far worse.

If you're overwhelmed, just go check yourself into a good hospital that has wound care specialists dealing with an ostomy and bring your supplies.

Good luck. ☘️ 😢

Hi Akila

What kind of bag are you using? I have an ileostomy with a large hernia attached to my stoma.

I wear Convatec one piece; the wafer is soft and molds to your stomach. If you want more info, write to me.

I've had many breakthrough accidents; in 30 years, there are going to be some.

Hello. I use a 2 piece flat by hollister. I am seeing a surgeon soon. Yes. The skin around my stoma is quite red and weepy. 

Depending on how your hernia is and how your abdomen is, it sounds like you need a one-piece; they are more flexible with the body and will curve and hold over the rolls and bumps better. If you're retracted and that's why you keep leaking, they are going to recommend a convex, but convex has a hard time going over a hernia. Coloplast has a flip which is designed for hernias. But if you're retracted and leaking that badly, it sounds like you're going to need a revision. Since I don't know much besides your leaking, you have a hernia, and the skin is red, all I can say is a flat one-piece, or the flip, if you're not retracted a barrier ring, if you are retracted a barrier ring won't do much of anything and could make it worse, and a liquid skin protectant like Marathon or 3M Advanced Skin Protectant for the skin. And if your skin is that red and weepy, you're not going to get a seal since the wafers won't stick to the skin in that condition.