Experiences with Ostomy Bags Without Barrier Rings

Hi all, in my search for a replacement barrier ring since Safe n Simple switched to a different manufacturer who is getting the formula a little different and caused me a leak, I've contacted several companies for free samples. I spoke with a rep from Coloplast today who said that rings actually can cause leaks, and he recommends using a convex bag with an opening that's right up against my stoma and no barrier ring. I said, "But doesn't the ring swell up and hug the stoma, thus preventing seepage under it?" He said it actually can cause a leak by swelling and breaking down. Hmm, I feel like I've been living in Bizarro Ostomy World for the past ten years where I've been using barrier rings with very few leaks. Can anyone vouch for using a no barrier ring system? He's sending me some samples of their bags and rings - they have a new black bag, so I'm stoked to give it a go. Sounds pretty badass (okay, well, he said it actually can resemble a belt or waist pack and not a "bag," and that's why people like it, but I'd rather think of myself as badass with a black bag.) I'm going to try going barrier ringless, but I think I'll wait to do it while I stay in my house. I'm interested to hear other people's experiences.

Hey there, so I used to wear bags with no rings all the time until I had some leakage, so I tried using a ring to see if it made a difference, and it does. I think the most important part is finding the right ring. I will say that Coloplast rings swell way more than they should and cause the wafer to push up. I will also say I have had many talks with Coloplast, and their reps aren't very reputable and don't know what they are really talking about, and they love to push a convex wafer. I will most definitely say he was correct on cutting the wafer to the size and shape of your stoma, leaving no gaps or skin showing. Now, obviously, we all have different experiences with different brands of barrier rings. The best and only barrier ring that works for me is the Cera ring from Hollister; it's the only product I can use from them. I am sorry you have to find a new ring; I hate how these companies keep changing products.

I started out without a barrier ring, with the colostomy, no problem. When I got the ileostomy, I continued with no ring, but kept getting skin problems, as it was practically impossible to get it cut so perfectly that no output could get at the peristomal skin. As soon as I switched to a barrier ring (Salts), my skin cleared up, and there has been no seepage under the ring. The ring swells a bit and hugs my stoma, creating a really strong seal, so the flange doesn't have to be cut really precisely. It's also increased my wear time to a full week, or more in a pinch.

Terry

I really appreciate all of your responses. They confirmed what I thought. I've always been told that the barrier ring hugs the stoma to prevent seepage since the hole in the ostomy bag couldn't ever really fit perfectly around it, and there would always be some exposed skin. I think I do need to order a bag with a smaller opening with my next order. I was initially told to have the bag opening slightly larger than the size of my stoma.

I use the Coloplast Brava paste. It comes in a tube, so you can use a little or a lot. I cut the hole in my wafer bigger than my stoma, and the paste fills in nicely. 😊

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

I had to switch to a deep convex wafer, no ring. It can have no gaps at all. I used barrier rings before, but with the surgery and stoma shape change, my ostomy nurse told me less is better. However, sometimes I get the fit the first time, but other times multiple. I hate wasting product.

I do feel a barrier ring can help, but it has to be the right one. They protected my stoma

before, so maybe someday I can use them

again.

G-Day eefyjig,

I did my own test on about 10 different seals some time back, but I also tested using my bag with no seal, and it was a disaster.

I wish you guys could get SALTS, as Terry said they are the leaders, and my skin since using them is fantastic.

If you do try going without a seal, don't do it for long, then you don't start a problem that will take a long time to fix.

I hope you can solve your problem.

Regards, IGGIE

I got the samples you are about to get. I used them without a barrier ring as they suggested…I didn't make it 12 hours with both bags combined. They both leaked horribly!! I definitely need a barrier ring; if not for anything else, I need it for peace of mind.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Hi Eefyjig,

I also had leak issues with the flat bag, even with a barrier ring, although less frequently. I have a loop ostomy, and my stoma opening comes out at an angle. I have been successful with a light convex bag with a Coloplast Brava seal, and I use the 3M Cavilon Barrier Film. The bag supports a clip-on belt, which keeps tension on the bag. With this combination, I have not had a leak in several months! This might seem a bit overkill, but I am very active doing woodworking, hiking, gym workouts, biking, and pickleball, and I just want the confidence to go out all evening and not have to worry about leaking!

I have tried it without the barrier ring, and it works fine until I start sweating! Under the sweat, I can feel it moving, yet the belt keeps pressure on it, so still no leaks… yet… but I feel more comfortable with the barrier ring.

Hope that helps!

I don't think I'm brave enough to go barrier ringless after all these responses. I'll continue to use my convex bag, maybe a slightly smaller opening, and some sort of seal, not sure which one yet.

Hmm, this makes me rethink going ringless. Maybe I'll like the black convex bag…

I think if a person is very active, going with no ring or paste is just asking for issues. You may need to adjust how much of a ring/paste you use with a convex wafer. If a person isn't active, they may be able to get away with just the wafer.

That's actually not true; you can and are actually supposed to cut the wafer to the size and shape of the stoma without having skin exposed. I have done it since day one, and my stoma moves in ways that no one has ever heard or seen before. The one and only actually good ostomy nurse who actually knew what she was talking about when I first got my ileostomy made it clear not to have skin showing. And my surgeon, who actually took the time to know how ostomy products and their usage work, says in the directions that come in the box of bags.

G-Day eefyjig,

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Get all the companies to send you samples of their seals. Process of elimination.

This is the test I did last year.

Regards, IGGIE

The rep you spoke to is right and wrong at the same time, just as all of us are...... Sometimes less is best; try it without a ring and see. It's the only way to find out if it's right for you. It's easy enough to go back to using rings if it doesn't work out.

G-Day eefyjig,

Back in 2004, when I had my colon removed and a J-Pouch fitted, I had an ileostomy bag for a few months, but in those days, they didn't have seals or washers or rings, whatever you call them, and I went through hell. It was like a cigarette burning me, and my skin around the stoma was red raw.

I will never go without a sealing washer.

Regards, IGGIE

What is SALTS that you all speak of?

Hey, it's not available to us in the U.S.. Unfortunately.

I lasted only two weeks with a bag and no ring - dealt with seepage, bad skin, incredible frustration, and many tears. At the suggestion of my wonderful ostomy nurse, I started using a ring (Cera ring from Hollister). Results: no leaking, great skin. I swear by them! They do swell to fill the little spaces around the stoma, and I happen to have a weirdly shaped one. I've never had a ring break down.

Sorry, sexy, but back up. Really, just clean it good, put barrier sticky stuff on it, and only use the flex flange made by ConvaTec.

Timcasey, is this supposed to be a question? You said to back it up on something I said. Could you be more specific about what you're saying in regard to 

A little more respect for our ladies in here.

IGGIE

Yeah, I've never gone without a barrier ring; I can only imagine how that would burn the skin. The rep will be contacting me again after I receive my free samples. I'll have a longer conversation this time!

Maybe there are just a lot of typos in his post. 😬

Oh, and timcasey, don't call me sexy or anything else. I have a name; it's Beth, and that's how I am to be addressed.

The beginning of that post shouldn't have been said at all. And the rest of it didn't make sense of what he is trying to say or ask.

I'm really glad the ring/no ring conversation came up because I have been wanting to post about it too.

I was using the Safe & Simple barrier ring and a convex wafer. I was pretty successful with this but probably should have tried other rings. I had surgery in November, and then my stoma would not stand up. It tipped back, touching the top of my tummy. That's when I had to switch to Coloplast deep convex. My ostomy nurse had me go with nothing but wafer and C strips to tape down the wafer, the pouch, and to crank down the belt. It was working fine. Although it is hard to perfectly cut the wafer to the stoma and a pain sometimes to get that thing on just right. I do 'dry runs,' but sometimes end up wasting a couple of wafers before I get it one. Although I was having success, I never felt confident even though I didn't leak. Like someone said above - peace of mind.

Now that I'm trying to eat more, I noticed last week that I see very tiny little spots of stool that might sneak through. A new experience starting last week. I have been thinking about using a ring because they did make me feel more confident.

The stoma does stand up much better, the opening tilts slightly upward but has been good. I never tried the Hollister Cera ring but see you all noting it works. Are there thin ones to use so that it doesn't push up the wafer further away from the stoma? I think I may need to start some trial and error again, and it helps to hear the experiences you all have had.

Appreciate you all!

I was going to come to your rescue, Beth, but I knew you'd stand up for yourself. Now that you've done that, I'm all in 💪🏼.

Good point. I'm a fitness instructor, so I'd say I need a ring.

After Nonie and Beth posted about the Hollister Cera ring, I went on the website and ordered a standard size and a slim. I use their Ceraplus bag, so it makes sense to try their Cera ring. Maybe you'd like to try their thin one.