Ileostomy & hygiene/bathing habits

[medimystery]

Hi everyone,

I had my ostomy surgery nearly three months ago, and to be honest I feel like I've been adjusting fairly well. I've had several issues with leakage (I think they're sometimes called blow-outs), but that has almost totally been solved with a belt.

At any rate, one sticking point for me is how to deal with showering. Before my surgery, I used to shower about every-other day. (E.g Monday, Wednesday, Friday, etc.) Now that I have the pouch, I find that showering tends to remove the adhesive just enough that I don't feel safe continuing with the bag/wafer, and I want to change directly after the shower. This works fairly well, except that I'd like to try to have the bag/wafer last as long as possible - usually four days for me. I find that this is really stretching the hygiene for me.

My question is, how do you guys deal with your bags and personal hygiene? Are there any tricks/secrets to making sure the wafer adhesive doesn't get wet, while still managing to wash as much skin as possible? Do you take longer periods of time between showers, and change your stuff directly after a shower? I know more people will shower without anything on at all, but then I don't understand how you dry off and get in position to put your new bag on without anything leaking and making a mess in the meantime.

Your input/help is greatly appreciated!

[ileo73]

Perhaps pink tape (Hy tape or Nexcare) around wafer.

Perhaps Skin Tac for extra adhesive?

[ot dave]

You might want to try another product. I use Hollister New Image flanges, and don't have any issues with them getting wet, especially when showering. I shower every day, and sometimes during the summer, I'll have two showers a day depending on my activity levels. Now, if I spend some time in a hot tub for instance, the edges with get a little soft and "gooey", but they dry up reasonably quickly and are fine to continue to wear until it is time to change. I change flanges once a week. When I go on vacation, we go to the beach every summer. Or, if I'm going to go on a scuba diving trip, I will use Sureseals. They are a very thin, adhesive saran wrap type material that surrounds your flange. They work great for me in keeping the edges down when spending a lot of time in the water. Plus, they help contain any blow outs until you can make a flange change. You can get them on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Sure-Seal-Ring-M ... ag=mh0b-20

They are not water proof, but they are breathable, and the flange is able to stay in place, and dry over time. They are a little tricky to put on, but they work well for me when I need them.

If that doesn't work for you, I stumbled across this device on amazon as well:
https://www.amazon.com/Ostomy-Cover-Sho ... ag=mh0b-20

Hope some of that helps.

David

[Mara]

I also shower every day - I use Convatec Stomahesive Wafer - it doesn't get loose and I change usually once a week. I do dry it a bit with a hair dryer after my shower...
As ot dave said, maybe try other brands or just other styles of the same brand. Usually you can call for free samples....

[medimystery]

Hi everyone,

I realize I should have mentioned what I was using right now - it's the Hollister New Image Flextend barriers. I like them because they're super easy to remove, but maybe that's part of the problem! I have a lot to try now, thank you for the suggestions!

[Mysticobra]

I use convetec moldable wafers with the white tape.
But this method can be used on any appliance.
I take a peice of cling wrap. Big enough just to cover everything.
First I fold the bag up in half and tape it to my belly. Put the cimg wrap over it.
Then I use the pink waterproof hytape and tape the 3 sides.
No point taping the bottom. But this covers everything and nothing gets wet.
I don't like getting any of it wet.
I take a shower every other day. Used to take one everyday when I worked.
And I change once a week on a Sunday.
Works well.

[nickolas]

I use a small towel and a hand held shower head. Keeps my wafer dry on those days I do not wish to change it. I am also bent over when washing hair & upper body. Due to a fungus I have, I have to change wafer every time it gets wet.

I am thinking about getting this

https://www.medicaleshop.com/sto-med-sh ... -each.html

nickolas

[NEskier]

I exercise so I sweat. And everyone sheds skin cells, just living. I want the tape and pouch clean so I shower with everything on (except change days, then everything off) so I can wash and dry the tape and pouch.