How Can I Make Wafers Stick Better?

[QueenStinker1973]

Can use some ideas, in general.

Someone suggested to me a while back about double-sided adhesive tape to help hold the wafer in place, but can't seem to find any. Could someone suggest a type of tape that might be more readily available? It would be appreciated.

[Mysticobra]

Have you tried a heating pad after putting a fresh water on for about ten minutes?
Its what I do. I use the conveyed modables. And the extra time spent to get a good stick seems to work well.
Just a thought.
Richard.

[steiconi]

Eakins or other rings can help. You press them out really thin and apply to the wafer. You can also use thin rolls (snakes) of them to fasten down edges that come up.

The big-hole "hernia" belts can help, too, by holding the entire wafer against your skin. I suspect a compression garment would also work.

[doreejill61]

I have found my pouch sticks extra good when I heat the wafer with my blow dryer and apply immediately. I use Coloplast mio one piece.

[oliveoyl]

I got this wonderful tip on this board from OT Dave. It has changed everything. About six hours after I put on a new appliance, I would be in very bad pain, so bad I asked the doctor for pain meds. My last three changes, I've had no pain to speak of. Here's what I do.

When you have your new, squeaky clean appliance on, go back to your bed and lay down gently on your stomach, nice and flat. Lay there for fifteen minutes. Your wafer will get very warm from your body heat and the pressure and weight of your body. It sticks amazingly well after that. It won't hurt your stoma to be gently compressed for about fifteen minutes.

[Punkinnae]

I use Mystic Cobra suggestion and it works like a charm!

[To Dream a Dream]

I am a big fan of those Sure Seal Rings. (A larger version of those clear patches used to cover IV sites in hospital.) I buy them from Parthenon.

[QueenStinker1973]

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. I'll be sure to make note of them and see what works better for me. One thing I failed to mention is that I have had issues off and on with my weight since my surgery, something that I never had trouble with earlier in life (well, I used to think I was "fat" when I was a teenager and now realize how far from "fat" I really was back then!), and I believe that could play a part in how long the wafers stick. I am in the process of bringing my weight down to a reasonable number, and from there work to maintain that basic weight, and I know that will help, also.

In the meantime, keep the suggestions coming. It certainly doesn't hurt, and it may help others who come across this thread!

[Taff]

I found that using any sort of barrier spray or cream caused a lack of adhesion. What works best for me is cleaning with plain ol' tap water, allowing to dry thoroughly and being still for at least a minute while applying pressure and hand heat to the flange.

For dips in the skin, rather than stomahesive or other similar paste, I stretched the skin between two fingers while applying the bag, thus flattening it out momentarily.

It should also be noted that I change bags daily or at most, after 36 hours.

[steiconi]

Thanks, everyone, for your ideas. I'll be sure to make note of them and see what works better for me. One thing I failed to mention is that I have had issues off and on with my weight since my surgery, something that I never had trouble with earlier in life (well, I used to think I was "fat" when I was a teenager and now realize how far from "fat" I really was back then!), and I believe that could play a part in how long the wafers stick. I am in the process of bringing my weight down to a reasonable number, and from there work to maintain that basic weight, and I know that will help, also.

In the meantime, keep the suggestions coming. It certainly doesn't hurt, and it may help others who come across this thread!

My weight is sadly far from a "reasonable number" but I get a solid 7 days from a wafer. I think skin creases and output have more to do with wafer life.

[Mysticobra]

The only place I am gaining any significant weight happens to be my belly. Where my water is. Lol. I've been skinny all my life. Now I gain it there. Not where I want it. Im 61 and male. Always had a flat stomach until I had this done. Not that I care now but it helps to get a good stick now that I have an ileo. And creases. Lol. Such is life. Go with the rolls!
And paste.
Its made me better. That is what counts.
You have lots of good suggestions.
I hope you find something that works

[ileo73]

Two things worked for me

One is cleaning the skin with white vinegar or witch hazel. I would guess it improves the pH of the skin. Wafers stick much better.

The other is Skin-Tac wipes.

[Caroline]

After a miserable January of almost daily pouch failures I read the hint about laying down in my tummy for 15 min to aid in more firmly sealing the pouch with warmth and body weight. I was already getting better wear time but not quite back to normal. I use Coloplast light convex 1 piece drainable with 1/2 a Hollister Adapt seal reformed into a rope and Brava seals that contain failures. I added laying on my heating pad. Now I am back up to my old 4 day wear time and sometimes even 6 days. I was beginning to think my hoard might shrink way down but boy am I glad not to worry about running out. Now of course no problems. I have no idea what caused the problem to begin with. I only lost 10 lbs to stay at my goal wt and I have been working out for several years at the Y so no real change there.

[pasrandy]

I think making sure the skin is clean and free from soap or oils is the first thing. Next, I loosen the protective cover on the flange in one spot, then I stick the flange under my thigh to warm it before putting it on. If you don't loosen the protective cover before warming the flange, it gets really hard to separate it afterwards. After I get the new flange and wafer on, I will cover the whole area with a folded towel for several minutes for warmth. I normally get around 7 days of wear time doing it this way. This is what works for my skin type using Hollister flanges.

[catch-a-fallingstar]

What I do as stated above and it works perfectly - I use a one piece but can use this technique with a 2 piece.I use a hairdryer to first dry the skin prep on my skin; I warm up the flange part with the hairdryer - apply and then press it on hard all around; I then warm the appliance with the hairdryer and continue to press in place. ( Not on the high heat setting but the middle setting). I am an RN and have a number of urostomy patients who have difficulty getting their appliances to stick do to the acidity of the urine and they do this technique now with very good results. It works.