Stoma's - A Man Is Not An Island
What a diverse bunch of answers but I am glad I stopped by to read them. My stoma is about an inch max to almost disappearing at times. I wear mine for a week; it’s a two piece snap together system from ConvaTec. Once it's in place, it usually stays put unless I do a whole bunch of bending and flexing then I usually change it before problems arise. I am sitting here in Maine reading about some of the folks changing and washing these things out sometimes every day and wondering if your stoma’s act the same way mine does? Maybe I am built different but changing mine is like watching a Key stone cops comedy movie or maybe Lucile Ball working on a conveyor belt trying to box cakes up before they fall on the floor.. . Old faithful has a mind of its own. Sometimes it begins to flow at about the time I have just cleaned my skin and dried it well so the adhesive will bond properly. I have a wonderful sense of humor but at times it gets frustrating. The problem being if output leaks down into the seal area where the two sections snap together, it acts like a wick and can’t be cleaned and has to be removed, both pieces. I have to start over again and it’s painful. I have tried to explain it to my wife but she always gets this puzzled look on face. ; ) My skin is so sensitive that unless I have worn it at least 7 days, it literally rips the top layer of skin off, very painful so you can see my dilemma. If (it) behaves itself during the change, all is well for 7 days. I guess from your different descriptions, there are many different types available. I like the system I have but hate the process when things don't go well. I have tried to figure out what time of day my body is less likely to want to start ejecting thus increasing the odds it will be a quick, clean change. Thanks for all the posts. .; ) Take care. Bob E from the foothills of Maine PS: I am really glad this forum is here, I think we all have something to add to the group.