Newbie first blowout - future advice?

[Fiona]

Hello & thanks for being here!

I had ostomy surgery 4 weeks ago and first blow out while shopping yesterday. In my haste to get to first PT appt I forgot my Go bag. I caught & contained the mess in the restroom in time (thanks to Lowes), put a couple waxy sanitary napkin sacks over me and found a vomit bag in the glove box which I was thrilled to see matched the ring pattern of my wafer, cupped an N45 mask over over the green bag & thought, "Hey, this is really brilliant!" Ha! My yoga pants kept the bag in place, with this newly added assurance I continued true "social distance" shopping for the gallon of stain & hex nuts for my hubby. I had changed my bag before I went out, don't know what caused this reaction unless it was food related but the problem is I caused myself a super burn like rash. I used adhesive remover & water to get the ring and wafer off and let myself air dry for about 5 hours. I only used a light dusting of stoma powder on my skin before my husband cut a new Hollister 88402 bag and we didn't use the ring this time. I need to be mindful of what I put on my skin as I have lots of allergies and test before using new products. I wanted to share this so nobody else forgets to keep their skin covered and welcome any comments for emergencies.

Mahalo,
Fiona

[ot dave]

Are you covering the powder with a skin barrier? If not, that is most likely the source of you blowout. Placing a flange over powder is like trying to use duct tape to hold your towel down at the beach...it's just not going to work.
I'm a less is more kind of guy, so unless I "need" it, I don't use it. Powder is good when "needed", but can cause issues with adhesion, especially if it isn't covered with a skin barrier. I like the cavilon spray as it covers the powder, but doesn't move it around like the wipes do.
Hope that helps some.

David

[Fiona]

I'm like doing backflips just having connected to someone that understands these new challenges. Thank you to my new tribe and welcome from David! I usually am brief as I keyboard with only one thumb and it's exhausting.

YES, yes.. originally I had not been using a CeraRing and had relatively small irritation next to stoma but at my post OP checkup nurses suggested & demonstrated Adapt No sting adhesive remover spray, CeraRing, stoma powder & Safe N Simple skin barrier film. I had not used any prior but had allergy tested the CeraRing. My husband helping me with bag changes since hospital cutting/placing bags for me as my left hand doesn't work much. I'm looking forward to my "no cutout days" and a flat belly.

My challenge was to learn to manage bag changes myself since he was out of town for a week. I fumbled with layering the barrier spray over the powder (too thick or not dry?) the ring may have been too tight but I started having multiple crevasse type creases within the wafer and a new smell. So I changed it after only a day and had similar experience #2. Then I noted surely I had the ring right up next to stoma. I do have a cantaloupe size ball under my stoma, my CT scan indicated small fat hernia but surgeon said no hernia at post OP so I am confused but my placement of wafer is over this big dome (which looks like hernia photos on line). After researching this board (less better!) my last change I elected to not use barrier ring or spray and only used a very light powdering, even wiped it off.

I had used hair dryer on change #2 to help warm products since my left hand doesn't lay flat - this caused ring to adhere to clear side of bag & "pancaking" suction. Still have creases but no smell yet. I totally "get" the beach towel joke..and laughed out loud for the first time in weeks so thanks for humorous tips!

I've actually worried the adhesive remover could be leaving a film. I appreciated your spray/wipe comparison because I struggle with the spray dispenser style on metal can of the remover so I ordered Hollister sample wipes (apprehensive of opening package). I will contact Hollister for advice.

I should mention that due to everyone scrambling to get me fitted for a hernia belt that would take 2 appointments & 7 weeks I ordered a Bravo Support Belt online, cut it myself, perhaps too close (1-2" to stoma?). Believe it may have been a contributing factor to the creases and pain around site so stopped wearing. It can also be simply my (very slow) healing. Just received NuHope flat panel cool comfort support belt I will take to nurse for fitting and will review any progress I've made with all of these hurdles.

Quick question: anyone else feel any brief stinging from Adapt pouch lubricating Deodorant liquid?

Mahalo for the marching orders. I just want to figure this stuff out myself without calling the clinic every week or picnicking on weekends. I understand the depth of their experience but there's nothing like connecting to others with similar challenges. I think the best thing I can do to heal my burned skin is keep it covered, leave my wafer on for 3 days then clean using water only, air dry for a few hours before reapplying next bag. Sound right?

My lesson learned: don't leave home without your "go bag."

I will continue to navigate this board for more advice. I do hope my mentioning specific products is not a violation as I'm not endorsing or promoting any of these items but due to allergies I am very limited to what I can use, went to great effort allergy testing and being sure I had the coordination to manage the appliances with one hand before much needed surgery. I am glad to share my experiences and merry go round of feelings with similar others. I mention the product names because I believe others out here may have suggestions for me as well. The wound nurses are fabulous but are not walking this, at many times, very painful walk.

Happy Spring weekend!
Fiona
From the beautiful Skagit Valley in Washington state where we produce delicious raspberries and lovely flowers.

[To Dream a Dream]

And a big Welcome to you Fiona. Sounds like you have a great attitude & take-charge abilities for life with an ostomy. From my own experience, that is more than half the battle. As for using product/manufacturer names, it is a common practice here on our board. How else would we learn?
As you explore various options amid supplies & treatments, I find it important to know what type of ostomy you have & possibly how much bowel you have left. Your medical support team should be the source for that info.
I will try to include a link to the UOAA website here: https://www.ostomy.org/
It is filled with specific information about the various types of ostomies, skin care, shapes of stomas, etc. And also contains excellent first-person accounts of living with these surgeries. I also recommend The Phoenix Magazine as another good source.
Thank you so much for your posts. Please continue to connect with our Board 24/7.

[Fiona]

I'm so frugal I already requested a free magazine (old copy) to review before subscribing because I don't want a repeat experience I've recently had with Better Homes & Gardens 75% advertising. I'm eager to pay for any valuable resources, time can be short with a metric ton of things to do but I'm a fast learner usually hard knocks or blow outs. Gawd I was scared reading about having one of those. Whew!

I understand this much about having an ostomy or similar surgery. It's not always your choice and my heart goes out to each and every one of you who must have faced this life change event against your will or choice. If I were in your shoes I'd hate people like me. Atleast for awhile. I'm terribly grateful for mine but scared beyond belief.

I noticed signature bi-lines of others and will update mine. It's helpful to identify. When in doubt: humor always wins.

[ron in mich.]

Hi Fiona welcome to the site as dream a dream said attitude and take charge are keys to taking care of your ostomy, 30 some years ago when i first had surgeryand got my ilieostomy there was only books for info, now with the internet i,m still learning new stuff. when your hubby cuts you a new wafer make sure its not too big as you dont want any skin around the stoma exposed and being only a month out of surgery your stoma may not be down to its normal size, also after i do a change i wear a belt for an hour or so to make sure the wafer is secure. good luck

[Fiona]

Mahalo, Ron, I appreciate the tips and that's quite an impressive history you've forged. Surely you've helped hundreds in your lifetime. Respect!

One question on belts if I may:

I had to cut my own, created about an inch from my stoma. I felt it pinching, it hurt the edges of my flange - this is over the top of 8 inch wide x 3 inch height, round bulge. (Otherwise I love the security & comfort of belt snug around waist.) I thought I had not provided sufficient space but I had an upcoming appointment with wound nurses so waited for their advice. They told me I could expand the space another inch so I did and now the bulge comes uncomfortably through the hole and it doesn't seem correct.

Then my custom ordered belt arrived which they measured me for. I love the way it feels yet the hole is snug right up to my stoma nearly scary tight.

So what seems correct? Hole cutout fitting close to stoma or should an inch or two be allowed? Maybe both work?? If no hernia and bulge is just my surgery healing should that be compressed and what is desirable approach? I don't want to make anything worse as my SOP for healing normally takes 4X as long as most due to HLA-B27 various conditions.

I will go check the other resources but sadly I am already tardy with rolling out breakfast. =: O

[ron in mich.]

Hi Fiona i would say trial and error and see what works for you, the less skin showing works for me but might not for you. good luck