UOAA Discussion Board

I’m an old-timer, having had my ileo for over 60 years. I have used all the big appliance brands but mostly Convatec Stomahesive for the past many years. My stoma is flush and in a crease and I’ve had major weight loss recently,and am only getting a day’s wear. At my annual appointment with my ET a month ago she gave me samples of Convatec’s Esteem one piece because they have a firmer/stiffer area that surrounds the stoma. The problem is that the wafer is only available in Durahesive which I’d never tried and it is a real bitch to get off. I’ve tried using several brands of sting-free prep wipes but they don’t seem to help. Has anyone else experienced this problem and found a solution? For instance, would a prep spray give a thicker coating than wipes and make it easier to peel off?

Thanks for any advice.
Sandy in Indiana

I can't personally help you. I tried Durahesive 15 years ago and hated it. It wouldn't come off without chemicals or it fell off. UGH on that! Went back to Stomahesive and never looked back again. https://www.convatec.com/search/?q=adhe ... over+wipes

Do you usually use a one piece? I never liked not being able to pop off the pouch and see what was going on. At one point I was using a convex insert with the wafer to push it down. Might that provide a solution? https://www.convatec.com/products/ostom ... x-inserts/

I called Convatec about something or other in 2020 (tough year for products) and they sent me that Esteem set up. Durahesive plus one piece was a big no for me.

Best of luck in finding a solution.

Yes, I’ve tried the Convatec wafer with the convex insert, but only get a day’s wear with it. I’ve always used a 2-piece, opaque, appliance except for this one-piece Durahesive, transparent setup that my ET gave me samples of. I could never figure out how to get my stoma centered using an opaque one-piece.

I recently discovered the great benefit of taking a hot shower and letting the hot water run over my wafer and barrier strips. It loosens up the adhesive and causes the skin to sweat a little underneath aiding in its removal.

I don't go as far as removing the wafer and barrier adhesive though, I get out of the shower and do that cleaning and scraping off of the barrier adhesive over the toilet.

I use no water at this point and just physically scrape off no sting paste and then clean the skin with oil free eye makeup remover and a soft scrubby if need be to get it out of the pores and moisture the deep skin tissue.

Then I jump back into the shower and wash everywhere else with normal stuff and around the stoma three times with ivory (non moisturizing) soap to ensure the skin is absolutely squeaky cleans and oil and greasy feeling free. Very important.

Then I dry well and do my attachment process.

I have a lower ileo in a belly fold myself and it's been quite a headache, but I finally discovered that skin prep is vital, absolutely clean and dry. Also 3+ minutes holding the tube over the wafer to push the barrier adhesive to bond well with the skin.

I now get 4 days quite regularly with only the tinnest of leaks.

I use Coloplast Sensura Mio light convex one piece drainable. Their PREP Dabbler bottle and stoma adhesive powder. Their no sting paste and barrier strips.

If you want you can read my full routine

viewtopic.php?t=27762

My body didn't agree with the Durahesive neither

But if you want you can try using (not around the stoma under the barrier adhesive) just where the water adhesive goes, is Flonase or a generic equivalent.

What this does is creates a smoother coating on the skin than normal which will aid in getting tough adhesive off the next time.

So I've found the three skin protectants

1: PREP Dabbler bottle, basically a sponge pad with alcohol based skin protectant. Creates a rough surface, good for stoma powder areas.

2: Spray skin protectant. Good for larger areas but less holding power. So ideal for wafer adhesive areas. Must be sprayed lightly or too much can cause adhesive failure.

3: Flonaze or like nose spray. Creates an even smoother surface than skin protectant spray. Which might work well for areas where you don't need it to be very strong.

And it's rather easy to line up a one piece over the stoma correctly. Just start at the bottom first, then the two sides and the top follows.

What I do is have two rings of paste one tight around the stoma skin side first and a prepared ring of paste on the wafer slightly away from the wafer hole, then it's easy to just line both up.
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I also have been using Stomahesive for years....don't think I ever tried Durahesive although I sort of remember back in the day we were told that Stomahesive is for a colostomy and Durahesive for an ileostomy...does that sound familiar, sandys?

Anyway, my only idea is for you to call Convatec and chat with one of their reps - I remember them being somewhat helpful - maybe they can suggest something for you...

Best of luck!!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I’m not giving up on the Durahesive yet. I now find that using an Eakin seal and a couple of coats of a skin protectant wipe around the remaining skin seems to make the Durahesive much easier to peel off .

Mara, yes Stomahesive for colostomy and Durahesive for ileo makes sense since output from ileo is usually more liquid.

Wow, sandys!
You have had your ileostomy for a really long time! You must have seen all kinds of wafers, tapes, and rings in the past 60 + years!
I love that you are pretty healthy since your surgeries! I'm sorry I don't have any experience with Durahesive.

I had my ileostomy surgery in 2007. I never had any problems with skin issues, bags, rings, or tape until 2025-2026. Now I am struggling with all kinds of ostomy related issues. I believe I have acquired a reaction to the Hytape I have been using consistently since 2009. I had to switch to cloth tape to hopefully heal the severe rash and welts that the Hytape has caused in the past 5 days. And cloth tape isn't great since it doesn't hold up well in showers or hot tubs. And I sweat at times too. My skin is burning severely from the awful rash. So I'm at a loss as to what water proof tape to go with after the rash hopefully heals. Any experience with water proof tapes that are just as good as Hytape?

Dear Sunpupperwolf,

Why do you use tape?

I have never had to use tape even when swimming or hanging out in hot tubs. So my advice is stop using tape, treat rash with cortisone cream and expose it to air as much as you can.

I agree with sandys - in all my decades I don't recall ever using tape or maybe back in the middle ages with the rubber appliance...lol...I don't swim very often now but I used to go to Martha's Vineyard in the summer years ago and spend a lot of time in the water. Also now when in Japan I also take nice hot baths in my hotel or apartment or onsen and never used tape....

I can only speak from my own personal experience. Sur-fit Natura Durahesive moldable wafers have been a godsend for me since I first discovered them many years ago. I had planned a solo trip to Cape May NJ & called ConvaTec for current information. As always, their Rep was courteous & well-informed about the product & its use. And encouraged me to enjoy my adventure. They sent me samples & I have been using Durahesive ever since.
Having no colon, rectum or anus plus numerous surgeries that have severely shortened my small bowel, I have an ostomy that discharges a very liquid & highly irritating effluent. Since I have also been using the Esenta remover wipes & barrier wipes, I have had much improved skin integrity.
I attempt to avoid having to use a tape by covering the wafer with a Sure Seal Ring (Active Lifestyle Products). I did try Flange Seal Rings by Attiva but found them a bit difficult for my aged fingers to manage.
Hoping you all can discover products that improve your quality of life.

Re: Moldable Wafers. I tried them years back and they swelled up and completely covered my stoma which is nearly flush. I wonder if there is any way to prevent this happening?

And Mara, thanks I did call Convatec and they are sending some samples which I hope will arrive today or tomorrow. Stay tuned.

ConvaTec did offer a Durahesive wafer with convexity which may be of help.

I wear durahesive convex that's more flush to your body
Mine has no of that accordian type. I use Smith&Nephew skin prep wipes sting free with Mckesson skin barrier powder very lightly. You can use adhesive sprays on your appliance like sinister that stuff is strong! Skinister burns my skin . But your saying your appliance doesnt come off! That's a good thing! To get off i would use Hollister remover wipes or spray. My durahesive wafer tends to lift on certain sides an I nail it back down with very sticky prep wipes + hair dryer an sometimes some medical tape in those areas. Im allergic to the extenders the companies make im allergic to many adhesives an my prep wipes help protect my skin from reacting . Its a good thing your wafer appliance dont budge I wouldn't switch but just get a better remover product to help remove it easier + clean the skin well make sure all sticky residue is off . A convex option woukd help with your stoma that's more flush! They have a light convex but you might need a deep convex which they dont have. Have you tried Hollister deep convex they have 1 pc an 2 pc available

Sandy

I use Coloplast Sensura Mio light convex and their standard and extra large barrier strips which acts like tape but much gentler on the skin than tape, which would have to be the waterproof kind to actually work somewhat.

Plus the barrier strips can be stretched a little while applying to provide downward pressure. They are curved to fit around the wafer adhesive neatly and cleanly.

Anything that is going to constrain the stoma like swelling and thus pinching it.or covering it, is going to cause problems passing the occasional object that didn't get chewed thoroughly enough and cause a blockage.

I think it's far better to have the wafer hole solid and using a barrier adhesive to protect the skin from output.

The thing is getting proper adhesion of the barrier adhesive to the skin so it can do it's job.

That requires proper cleaning, drying, skin prep and at least five minutes of tube pressure through the water to force the barrier adhesive to bond well to the skin. Then it's not a problem. I'm getting 4-5 days out of a bag now.

You can review my process on the other thread on this forum.

With a flush stoma I found that losing some belly fat also assisted in protruding the stoma out more, I now have a scale and watch my weight daily.