UOAA Discussion Board

I recently had a cecostomy tube placed for neurogenic bowel. While looking for treatments, an ilestomy was an option, so I started researching the subject.

Knowing very little about ostomy attachments and only seeing the process in videos, I see that there seems to be quite a bit of trial and error, measuring, cutting, etc. Cutting special holes in the attachments manually yet correctly seems like "there should be a better way."

I am wondering if the shape and size of the stoma is consistent enough to be measured and shaped to send to a manufacturer to be made to spec. in the same way prescription eyeglass lenses are done according to the person's vision.

Alternatively, if the stoma size and shape is consistent, could a "cutting hole punch" be made to punch out the correct hole? In arts and crafts stores, they make large cutting punches in different shapes and sizes. It seems a manufacturer could make a punch like this to spec.

Maybe these are naive questions and would not work or help. I'm just curious.

Ed

Most of us only cut our barrier holes in the early stages when the stoma is still changing and not yet settled in it's permanent shape. Mine was an oval for several months before it became round and a size which is pretty commonly found in the precut holes. Also, one of the barriers I use is a moldable, meaning you use your thumbs to roll it out to a size a tad larger than the stoma and after application it rolls back to snug the stoma firmly. And I believe some medical companies will cut the wafers for a small cost if you have an odd shape. I would bet that few old timers cut their own if they can find their size in the precut section.

I've had my ileo a bit over 4 years.
I've been getting precut wafers since the start.
But it's really not custom. They just cut certain sizes and it just so happens that the one I need fits. Lucky I guess.
Richard.

I have a funny shaped stoma, thus I've been cutting mine for years. To me, it is no big deal.

I have a colostomy verse an ileostomy. My output is more formed due to fact my stoma is lower on my body and close to where my rectum should be. An ileostomy is higher up in the colon and tends to have a more liquid out put.

Good luck,

Nickolas

It's not a bad idea. As others have mentioned, you can order pre-cut flanges. And, as others have mentioned the stoma changes for a few months after surgery, and can even change over years due to weight gain/loss. Also, throw in peristalsis which is constantly changing the shape of my stoma...at least inwards and outwards!
I think that a custom cut for pouches might be cost prohibitive to have the manufacturers do this. These things are made on an assembly line and they can make a lot of them in less time if they are all the same. Changing out hole punches during the process decreases productivity, which decreases profit, which won't happen!
My stoma isn't exactly round, but I cut a round hole anyway, and it does the job. It literally takes me less than 10 seconds to cut out the hole for my stoma when I make an appliance change. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have a stoma, but since I do, I can tolerate the 10 seconds it takes me to cut out a hole.
Keep thinking and being curious though. We all know necessity is the mother of all invention!

David