Stoma Info

Nicksangels
Nicksangels Member Posts: 41
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My 84 year old dad is home from surgery from rectum cancer and did a month of physical therepy because of his age. He is doing well. I just need some advice on his stoma care and the bags he is using. First how long did it take for the stoma to be at its permanent size. Also do u perfer the disposable bags or the ones with the wafer and then u change the bag. How long is the wafer type suppose to stay on, some say 72 hour with changing the bag of course, We met with nurses and i also helped my dad change it but i wanted to get advice from someone who is living it. Thanks as always and Blessings to all. Lisa ps. Hi to my friend Clift

Comments

  • KATE58
    KATE58 Member Posts: 299
    #2
    I have an ileostomy and I
    I have an ileostomy and I use the 2 piece wafer and bag I get an average of 5 days wear on each one.(i use convetec brand)avg for most people is 3-7 days.Empty(the bag does not get changed each time ,it gets changed when wafer is changed) bag (from bottom)when about a third full. you can use a squirt bottle to rinse out bag.how often will depend on how much food is consumed.do not remove bag to empty.
    the stoma will probably not change in size much at all
    when changing wafer make sure skin is clean and dry,no soap or residue or it will not stick
    I use only neutrogena soap as I find that is the only one that rinses clean.
    some insurance companies will not pay for the one piece disposable,
    swimming or sitting in a tub to bath can lessen weartime
    if he has an ileostomy,make sure wafer is snug,but not tight around stoma
    hope this helps you ,I have been doing this 4 yrs and some you just learn by trial and error.
    usually when wafer need changing he will feel an itching and burning around stoma.
  • pluckey
    pluckey Member Posts: 484 Member
    #3
    my ileostomy experience
    please access the WOC nurses to get as much info and hints as possible.

    for me, it took a lot of experimentation and bag blow-outs to get the right appliances.
    The Coloplast extra extended wear were the best - stayed adhered for about 4 days with no leaks. I had very high output, so a disposable bag (1 for each bm) wasn't a good option for me. The stoma adhesive powder and the collar/ring were the items that worked for me.

    The Eakin Seal is like a malleable ring you stick around the Stoma. then you put the wafer over it. I would get wafers I would cut the hole to size, the stoma does shrink over a month or so.

    the biggest thing is to get a good seal- when the fluids leak out and get on the skin, it really really burns and then it starts a cycle of red, raw burned skin, hard to clean and stick the wafer.

    my husband changed my bag for me the first few months- i was really sick and post op and unable to do it...then when i had some accidents with no one around i had to learn and do it myself. since your Dad is older, not sure what his eyesight and nimbleness in his hands etc..

    good luck. there is a website for ostomates - they always give great advice

    peggy
  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #4
    Hi
    I had a colostomy-
    Hi
    I had a colostomy- started off with the wafer and bags, then moved on to the one piece appliance. I had trouble with the seal on the wafer, had to wear a belt, used wax to snug it up and still everytime I changed it you could see where it was breaking through. I was really happy with the one piecer- it just went well for me. Never had to mess with the mess of emptying a bag and just felt more clean.

    Stoma, I think mine took about a month before it settled down and became the size it was for the rest of the time I had it.

    I believe medicare pays for both wafer/bag and one-bag appliance. I remember the stoma nurse at mayo commenting that medicare would pay for 100 one-bag appliances a month, enough to change it 3 times a day.
  • NBTXGIRL
    NBTXGIRL Member Posts: 31
    #5
    Stoma info
    My Dad is 72. He had a colostomy in June of 09. His stoma was pretty much healed within 3 to 4 weeks. We use the one piece disposable bags most of the time. I find it is easier for him. However, when he has chemo enduced diarrhea we use the two part system so his skin doesn't get irritated from removing the disposable wafer so much and at that point it is easier for me to change because I have to help him. I was told the wafer could stay on up to a week as long as it is not starting to loosen. However, I leave it on him about 3 days and then take it off so he can clean the area real good in the shower.

    Kim
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #6
    NBTXGIRL said:

    Stoma info
    My Dad is 72. He had a colostomy in June of 09. His stoma was pretty much healed within 3 to 4 weeks. We use the one piece disposable bags most of the time. I find it is easier for him. However, when he has chemo enduced diarrhea we use the two part system so his skin doesn't get irritated from removing the disposable wafer so much and at that point it is easier for me to change because I have to help him. I was told the wafer could stay on up to a week as long as it is not starting to loosen. However, I leave it on him about 3 days and then take it off so he can clean the area real good in the shower.

    Kim

    Allright Nicksangel.......
    I am very happy for the both of you...Tell dad that I will send him a few of the "other" wafers and pouches that I like very well if he wants. They work great for me. I remove them completely every 2 days. I do this by getting in the shower and 5 minutes prior I use the "Allcare" brand of adhesive remover pads, I will send some of those also. It loosens up the sticky before you remove the wafer making it an easy removal with no muss no fuss and no pain. Then I simply shower as usual top to bottom, not bottom to top :). I use ivory which cleans all the residue left off of the stoma area. I then get out dry around the area and place my new wafer on the my pouch. I change my pouch whenever it gets about 1/3rd full or the vent plugs(which is normally after I sleep with it overnight). I use about 3 bags a day but the last is normally before I go to bed. If he changes it in the house I use scented candles and start burning them about 5 minutes before changing . I normally change my pouch outside as a courtesy to my familys noses but not feasible all the time. I can bathe in my whole setup but if so I need to change it the next day for sure. I see that after 2 days of wear that the wafer when you take the pouch off to change it and clean out the wafer it tends to start becoming dislodged, so removal soon after is imperative to prevent leakage. There is also a stretchy belt that can be purchased to cover the pouch which will hold it in place while he sleeps or keep him from popping it off as sometimes happens...PM me your addy and I will get em out to ya.......Love and hope, Clift
  • coloCan
    coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
    #7
    Buzzard said:

    Allright Nicksangel.......
    I am very happy for the both of you...Tell dad that I will send him a few of the "other" wafers and pouches that I like very well if he wants. They work great for me. I remove them completely every 2 days. I do this by getting in the shower and 5 minutes prior I use the "Allcare" brand of adhesive remover pads, I will send some of those also. It loosens up the sticky before you remove the wafer making it an easy removal with no muss no fuss and no pain. Then I simply shower as usual top to bottom, not bottom to top :). I use ivory which cleans all the residue left off of the stoma area. I then get out dry around the area and place my new wafer on the my pouch. I change my pouch whenever it gets about 1/3rd full or the vent plugs(which is normally after I sleep with it overnight). I use about 3 bags a day but the last is normally before I go to bed. If he changes it in the house I use scented candles and start burning them about 5 minutes before changing . I normally change my pouch outside as a courtesy to my familys noses but not feasible all the time. I can bathe in my whole setup but if so I need to change it the next day for sure. I see that after 2 days of wear that the wafer when you take the pouch off to change it and clean out the wafer it tends to start becoming dislodged, so removal soon after is imperative to prevent leakage. There is also a stretchy belt that can be purchased to cover the pouch which will hold it in place while he sleeps or keep him from popping it off as sometimes happens...PM me your addy and I will get em out to ya.......Love and hope, Clift

    ConVaTec Two piece
    I use ConVaTec two piece colostomy system only cos that'a what my hospital used after op. As I've no problems with them, I continue to use them. I try to keep the flange part that adheres to my belly and around the stoma as long as posssible to minimize wear and tear on my skin from pulling it off-Girlfriend still changes bag for me. The outer bag I change when it gets clogged and semi-full tho if I can, I empty as often as possible to reduce changing bag as it hurts snapping it into place. Another problem for me was accepting change in what I loooked like but it was a procedure that saved my life so I live with it.Best of luck....steve
  • Nicksangels
    Nicksangels Member Posts: 41
    #8
    Stoma Info
    Thanks for all the great info, keep it coming I want as much knowledge for my Dad as possible. You have to live thru it to truly understand. My blessings to you all always. Lisa
  • Nicksangels
    Nicksangels Member Posts: 41
    #9
    Buzzard said:

    Allright Nicksangel.......
    I am very happy for the both of you...Tell dad that I will send him a few of the "other" wafers and pouches that I like very well if he wants. They work great for me. I remove them completely every 2 days. I do this by getting in the shower and 5 minutes prior I use the "Allcare" brand of adhesive remover pads, I will send some of those also. It loosens up the sticky before you remove the wafer making it an easy removal with no muss no fuss and no pain. Then I simply shower as usual top to bottom, not bottom to top :). I use ivory which cleans all the residue left off of the stoma area. I then get out dry around the area and place my new wafer on the my pouch. I change my pouch whenever it gets about 1/3rd full or the vent plugs(which is normally after I sleep with it overnight). I use about 3 bags a day but the last is normally before I go to bed. If he changes it in the house I use scented candles and start burning them about 5 minutes before changing . I normally change my pouch outside as a courtesy to my familys noses but not feasible all the time. I can bathe in my whole setup but if so I need to change it the next day for sure. I see that after 2 days of wear that the wafer when you take the pouch off to change it and clean out the wafer it tends to start becoming dislodged, so removal soon after is imperative to prevent leakage. There is also a stretchy belt that can be purchased to cover the pouch which will hold it in place while he sleeps or keep him from popping it off as sometimes happens...PM me your addy and I will get em out to ya.......Love and hope, Clift

    Stoma Info
    Thanks Clift. I PM my address to you. Love and Hope to you always...Lisa
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    #10
    Nicksangels said:

    Stoma Info
    Thanks for all the great info, keep it coming I want as much knowledge for my Dad as possible. You have to live thru it to truly understand. My blessings to you all always. Lisa

    Lisa......
    I'll send ya a gauge also to measure the size of the stoma and when you order the wafers you can have them precut by giving them the MM size the gauge shows that the stoma size is...My stoma reduced some, not much but a little. He can do the same things he did before but tell him for me...Tieing the left shoe will sometimes cause the stoma to become pressurized and poof...its like a time bomb...slip ons are great as are canvas deck shoes that boaters wear something easily slipped on and off but safe also, and at 84 tell him I said not to worry about fartin' in public. Its a senior citizens privalege to be able to do that, tell him to exercise his rights.......Much love to you and dad..........Buzz

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