UOAA Discussion Board

I'm a 33 year old man, and I've had a colostomy since 2006. I've spent a fortune on supplies and I've recently been told I was using the wrong supplies. No one ever told me what was what and now i'm to the point where I need help. I'm active and I need supplies that can keep up with my active lifestyle. Does anyone have any advice for me? I would love to visit a support group, but I have none close to me.

Who told you you were using the wrong supplies? Did they tell you what you would be better off using and why???
If you could give more info as to what you use, if its been working for you and your having no issues more info would help..

sassie

I've been using new image made by Hollister. I get the 2-3/4" and a woman from liberator medical said I should be getting something that is smaller because my stoma is only an inch. I'm not having the best of luck with this particular set, but I don't know much even after all these years. I need something that works better with my active lifestyle and doesn't leak after a day or two if I sweat or swim or whatever I may be doing.

Hi all I was told the same thing by a coloplast rep when I called about samples but as I described to them that when I was changing one morning I noticed how much my stoma moved in and out when having output and if I had a smaller diameter ring around my stoma it would be more rigid and not move in and out with the stoma, the rep was skeptical but I said I didn't want the samples if they would only send the smaller size. I use a 2 1/4 size wafer and they wanted to send 1 3/4.

Have you tried irrigation? If it works well for you, you would need only a small stoma cap that usually gets changed daily.
viewforum.php?f=12 is the irrigation forum on this board.

I use the Hollister New Image line, and I'm very active...go to work, coach baseball, hunt, camp, swim, scuba dive, etc. I usually get at least 5-7 days use out of my two piece system. I do irrigate, so that aides in getting more days of use. That may be something you want to look into.
Maybe fill us in on what your application procedure is, and maybe we can help identify some suggestions/tips to get you more use out of your equipment. Are you getting pre-cut flanges. I get the 2-3/4" ones, but they are not precut. My stoma however requires that much space. Ideally, the opening of the flange should be around an 1/8"...ideally. So, if your stoma is only an inch, perhaps a smaller flange might be something to look into as well. I'm a big fan of less is more...

David