UOAA Discussion Board

A minor correction here. These are not "granulomas" you are writing about but are actually "granulation tissue". "Granulomas" are formed by an attempt of the body to wall off infectious agents and foreign bodies with cells of the immune system. They tend to be found internally within the body's organs. "Granulation tissue", which tends to bleed" is an early stage in wound healing.

Thanks for the correction.

Okay ordered new (new to me) products

Brava Protective Sheet 4X4"
Coloplast no sting otosmy paste

Also I use:

Brava Adhesive Remover spray
Brava Elastic Barrier Strips thin half moon
[Brava Barrier Cream (not carried by my supplier)]
Coloplast Ostomy Scissors 2
Coloplast Sunsura Miro One Piece Convex 1/8 "


So the protective sheet should get me about 6-7 days out of a bag accordingly to posts others have made here.

The no-sting paste is expensive for such a tiny 2.oz tube,.so I'll use that first and let dry, then top with the cheaper Adapt which I have a ton of that..

Since I should only have a tiniest of gaps between the stoma using the barrier, shouldn't need much of the no-sting paste. I guess I'll need to make a guide.

I'm trying very hard to heal my skin right next the stoma and below it where the appliance separates due to bending and heat. If anyone has any solutions for this I would appreciate it.

I also have a red ring of irritated (but not damaged) skin around where the paste attaches, I'm hoping the barrier will help resolve this issue so I have it all healed and regular skin around the stoma.

I use Eakin seals but rather then applying to skin I place on my Convatec convex wafer and press it on well. I form the opening to the exact size of stoma and apply while pulling skin up so stoma area is flat (mine is now in a deep crease) . I change about every four days unless I forget. My skin is sometimes irritated but usually okay. I use only cold water on a cotton pad to clean.

Okay this is the much more improved method I'm using now. Nice secure bonds with no leaks, taking showers with the bag on etc.


I've found stoma rings are not going to be as effective with damaged skin.

1: Starve and dehydrate myself while sitting on the toilet with a bidet or sitting in the shower until the flow has ebbed to nothing. In fact when time for a bag change I ensure flow has ebbed before removing bag and taking a shower. Wash with moisturizer soap only and completely dry the area, use a hair dryer on low setting. Keep any new flow off skin while laying down by dabbing using very gentle and soft toilet paper or it will start bleeding.

2: If skin around the stoma is weeping fluid, I will need to dry it out using light stoma powder. Brush any excess away. Cover the area with skin protectant and allow 30 seconds to dry. Use the hair dryer again. Unfortunately using powder will reduce adhesive strength. I now avoid it and even skin protectant if I can as it's an irritation.

3: Next I use Brava Stoma Paste, it's pectin based which is harder to work with, but doesn't sting like the alcohol based Adapt paste does. Spreading skin away from stoma and apply a thin layer of paste around the stoma. I use the nozzle to cut off the level while applying. I get this to stick very well to my skin near the stoma. Its difficult but necessary. Also I level the surface as best as possible in casen of scabs or bumps. I do not apply paste to appliance and then apply, as this can leave gaps. I visually inspect that the paste is as close to stoma as possible.

4: Next I use Brava Protective Sheet and remove hard backing and fold in half, cut a half moon to the size of my stoma. Place hole around my stoma and on top of the paste, pressing down all around to get a good bond. What this will do is absorb moisture and expand closer to the stoma sealing better. Also there is an extra clear backing on the Protective Sheet which I remove before applying or else it will cause a leak.

5: Next I apply another level of paste, on top of the Protective Sheet, I can use the cheaper alcohol based Adapt base which is more flexible here if I wish because it won't be touching the skin.

6: Have my precut appliance ready to go, bottom sealed and apply on top, pressing with my palm to transfer heat and pressure to get a good bond.

7: I use the Coloplast appliances with their stoma belt as it's wider and has four hooks instead of two. Much more reliable and stable. If ones stoma is recessed or below skin surface you may need their Convex products. Make sure the hole is large enough for your stoma to stick through as it extends itself sometimes and will push an appliance off and cause leaks. Some like myself, have oval stomas so need to cut an oval opening just a hair or two larger than the stoma.

I'm now getting four to five days out of an application with slightly damaged skin around stoma because I've not been healing as fast as I used to.

9: I also use the half moon thinner extra adhesive strips from Coloplast as well. I have a scar that's healing (itches) so I try to avoid covering it with the Protective Sheet, I cut the hole slightly offset from center so the two parts can move independently. Let the pouch adhesive and or extra adhesive strips cover the scar area as it's expanding and I've found causes leaks. This way if it does spring a leak as least it's on top of the Protective Sheet and not below it.

This method so far has been the best I've found, even can take warm showers (I just switch belts laying down afterwards and let the other dry overnight) and it has given my skin time to heal up. Im hoping to one day get back to using rings but I don't see how they can be reliable getting close to the stoma or providing double protection like my method does.