Also I have made my wife several little cookie cutter tools to cut her ostomy wafer. If yours is 20 mm then next time you are at a lowe's or hardware store pick up a 3/4 in Schedule 40 PVC pipe Tee. You will need a file or sander or sand paper also. You take the center of the pipe T and file the edges down around the edge of the end of pipe down to about a 45 to 60% angle. You are sharpening the end of the pipe. You should be able to hold the pipe T in your hand and lay the wafer down on a table. Then firmly press the Sharpened edge of the pipe into to wafer and twist it back and forth a few times. It will me a perfect hole every time. The hole will be .1.05 inches and 2mm .9842. You will make a hole .066 bigger than your stoma. That is about than 1/16 a inch or 1/32 a inch on either side clearance. It should work perfect. You seem really cool and I want to help you make life a bit easier. My wife has had about 3 of them I have made over the 20 plus years and they hold up well and last forever. I went and looked up what pipe size you need. This should work pretty well for you. The T cost about $1 buck. and $3 to $5 bucks for a cheep file. You can play with different size pipe fittings too. But this should get you really close. If you try this and it works please make a video to share with others. This is 100% my idea I shown my wife's doctors over the years a few times but I never heard of a product on the market like this and it is super easy to make. My wife carries a few wafers that we pre cut so she does not have to carry the cutter with her but it is small. It takes about 3 seconds to cut a perfect wafer every time. Let me know what you think
Cecily. THANK YOU! My brother just had a colostomy done and they are training me on how to take care of it for him until he is better and can do it on his own. Your videos are wonderful! 💜
This is a great idea. I just saw my surgeon and he explained that what I thought was my stoma is not. My stoma is actually down the hole in my abdomen. He said I have to put my pinky down the tiny hole since it is healing shut and make sure any strictures are broken. My home nurse has been working hard to find me an appliance that will not pancake on wafer. No matter what I do if there is the tiniest of crack the stool goes under the wafer and it is ruined. I just started using the rings and it gives me added security that my bag won’t just fall off as it has done twice. And I can see if it is leaking towards barrier. The reason mine is so deep is #1 I am fat and #2 the blood supply would only go so high. He really was stunned when I asked why hadn’t he used liposuction to build me a platform. He said he will ask some other surgeons and colon docs and see what they think. If and when he has to redo this I want him more prepared as mine was ruptured and an emergency surgery. I think making a flat platform on my abdomen would be the right choice. Then I could have a rosebud like everyone else. So I guess I have the queen of retractions.
@@billiebennish2526 yes I was given some samples it didn’t seem to help with the thick stool. I have been trying mineral oil and it seems to make it more slippery. The new bags I am using coloplast convex two piece click seems to be working the best so far with use of paste. I am on high dose prednisone for 5 years n my surgeon said he will not even attempt a reversal until I can get to 5 mgs. I am currently at 9 mgs but under 7 my PMR flairs up. He said I had a sad looking colon. I am 70 and will now be trying to train my colon with irrigation as I have a colostomy.
All hail the queen of retractions 👑 Lol, in all seriousness, thanks so much for your comment, Lisa! I also love the rings because I can see when I’m leaking or if the seal isn’t secure through the clear bandaging. I have seen permanently retracted stomas like the one you have. They can be very difficult to manage. I only deal with mine retracting intermittently. Obviously I’d suggest using a hard convex wafer, but I assume you’ve already tried those. Any wafer you use should be convex. As for pancaking, I agree with Billie, oil or lubricant is the best method I know for pancaking, but avoiding pancakes altogether is going to be trickier for you than it is for most people because of your stoma type. Hang in there until they can get an even platform for your stoma-I’ll be thinking of you. Let me know if you have any questions and keep me posted on what your colorectal says! 💜
Yay! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed using the rings, too. I think they’re absolute life savers (in both shape and function 😝). Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. It’s fun getting to know all of you and they really help motivate me 💜
Thank you so much for making this video 😊 I feel honored getting mentioned in the video after my feedback. You are such a inspiration and I think I speak for everyone, thank you for giving both the beginner og experienced stoma squad members excellent stoma advice making our life easier 🌹🌹 The hack looks awesome and will definitely try this. My local pharmacy has the Tegaderm so i will get som tomorrow and try. I’ll also going to check with my doctor if it’s possible to get these on a prescription so I don’t have to pay them. Sincerely Trond, Norway 🇳🇴
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Trond! Your comment was very insightful and it means a lot to me when you guys give your feedback. I’m really hopeful that the tegaderm can help you while you’re traveling-I think it will make your trip go much more smoothly. Definitely ask for a prescription, but I’d also recommend reaching out via phone or email to your insurance company, just to check in advance if they can be covered or reimbursed with the prescription. Let me know if you have any other questions. Sending all my love 💕
So... in Europe, you might need to look for 'fixation' products. Usually in the form of a silicon or hydrocoloid tape. I found Erland Care pads that are actually very similar to the Surefit, as far as I can tell and it seems to be a Scandinavian brand, maybe even Norwegian. The Salts products are also available in Europe, like their hydro fixation strips. From the Trio brand, there's the Silex strips (also available in US). Eurotec is another brand that offers different sized tapes to fixate your wafer (look for Varimate strips). All these products should be available through your regular ostomy supplier, though you might need a prescription from a specialized nurse or your primary care doctor.
Just had a leak. The nurses changed to one piece. It started to leak n my husband helped change out to another one piece n put the rings on. Today is one week since surgery. Lots to learn. Thank you for your instructions
This is great - I use 2" tegaderm style tape for this. Just cut 4-5 4" strips and place them around the flange with a little bit of overlap. It might be cheaper for people than pre-made bit patches. In Canada there are a lot of brands of tegaderm knock off tape. It also works well with a one piece
Awesome suggestions, thank you so much for sharing! It can get really expensive to buy brand-name tegaderm bandaging for every bag change, so cheaper leak protection hacks are really helpful. 💜
Great video. Great info about the seal rings. I am going to have to try them because my bag starts to come off my skin about a day later after I put a new one on.
Thanks so much, Robert! It’s great to hear from you 😊 The rings will absolutely stop that peeling issue and help ensure that water doesn’t weaken the barrier. I really love them (obviously, lol). I hope you can get the rings through your insurance-I haven’t looked back since using them. I hope you’re doing well…you’ve been in my thoughts lately. Sending love ❤️
Great video! I will definitely try this next time we go the the ocean. Last trip was a nightmare! The saltwater just eats away at the adhesive. I tried using the Hollister Barrier extenders and it made things worse. Any advise for ostomies and swimming the ocean? Thanks!
The medical supply that I have to use because that’s what my insurance allows does not have sure seals so I have to get them on my own. I found them on Amazon. I pk of sure seals cost approx. $20.I require 6 pks every 3 months, so it’s not cheap, but is so worth it. I wish I could get them through insurance. My stoma is flush with my skin if not sometimes retracted and my stomach is fat,soft,and uneven with scars, so leaks are a problem. With the Sure Seals I don’t have to be so nervous about blow outs.
Hi Tracy! Thank you for sharing your experience with getting SureSeal rings. I agree that even though they aren’t cheap, they are invaluable for leak protection. It sounds like you have been dealing with retractions-something I have a lot of experience with. You’re absolutely right…it is amazing to have the peace of mind knowing that the tegaderm will resist leaks (especially overnight). I’ve gotten the rings through Amazon multiple times, so I think that’s a great way to go if insurance doesn’t cover it. Wishing you the best with your stoma! ❤️
Just found you last night. Love your videos. People with round ostomies have an easier time cutting out their flange. My ostomy is not round ... and it is bigger than most. And I am allergic to all adhesives (I am living on Benadryl until I can get my ostomy reversed). Because of the allergy, I have a 2 piece system, but I have to change my wafer every 2 days or it will get bad. :(
Hi Carolyn! Your situation sounds incredibly painful and frustrating...I'm sorry to hear that you're allergic to adhesives. That's a tough position for an ostomate. If you don't mind my asking, would you be open to asking your doctor or ostomy nurse for a stronger antihistamine? I am on hydroxyzine and it really helps with peristomal irritation (although I just have very sensitive skin--not necessarily an allergy). Just a thought! I remember when my bag was coming off nearly every day--the irritation was torturous at times. I hope you see how strong you are for pushing through. Wishing you irritation-free days until you are cleared for a revision ❤
More bag hacks pls!! Getting my ostomy in 2 weeks so I’m taking notes on all of your videos. I may have missed the cost comparison but how does your OTC purchase compare to the Sure Seals price (without insurance)? I have Kaiser so I’m betting they will only cover the absolute basics but I go above and beyond to make sure I have all that I need. Also, do all the bags make that crinkly bag sound? 😮 Thank you for being you Cecily! You are taking the fear of the unknown out of this for me and so many. And more kitties!! 😻
I have a Illeostomy and I’m so happy to see someone that uses the same products as me. I enjoyed you video and I’m gonna go buy some the products you got from CVS. I’m a follower now🙏🏽🤎
I hope this link does not get deleted but this is by far the cheapest way to by tegederm and it works so well. 6 in x 16 feet for $10. Also the Secure T USA No sting Barrier protective wipes 202400 made by hollister Is a skin prep wipe that will help your wafer stick. Apply to the skin around stoma. Let it dry and all sticky products will stick better. Great for the wafer but also great to get the tegederm to stick and last way longer. I seen one of your other videos on incontinence that I left a short Essay a little about myself. Before bowel IC I wouldsometimes use a condom catheter at night to get a break from diapers. These prep wipes helped it to stay stuck a lot!! Also if you have or use a tens unit for pain you can use these wipes on the electro pads and it will bring them back to life. sticker than new every time. I have tens pads "I have used over 100 times. I use to use a pain patch and I used this exact generic roll or tegederm type material to keep it down and it works amazing. Wife has a sigmoid ostomy so she has most of her colon. Yours is way more liquid. I hope this helps you some. www.amazon.com/Transparent-Adhesive-Waterproof-Bandages-Dressing/dp/B089GVPQ2W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=tegaderm+rolls&qid=1688881208&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 www.amazon.com/Genairex-Securi-T-Protective-Dressing-Non-irritating/dp/B008CM7TFC I sometimes use a condom catheter at nightand I use these prep wipes.
Also I have made my wife several little cookie cutter tools to cut her ostomy wafer. If yours is 20 mm then next time you are at a lowe's or hardware store pick up a 3/4 in Schedule 40 PVC pipe Tee. You will need a file or sander or sand paper also. You take the center of the pipe T and file the edges down around the edge of the end of pipe down to about a 45 to 60% angle. You are sharpening the end of the pipe. You should be able to hold the pipe T in your hand and lay the wafer down on a table. Then firmly press the Sharpened edge of the pipe into to wafer and twist it back and forth a few times. It will me a perfect hole every time. The hole will be .1.05 inches and 2mm .9842. You will make a hole .066 bigger than your stoma. That is about than 1/16 a inch or 1/32 a inch on either side clearance. It should work perfect.
You seem really cool and I want to help you make life a bit easier. My wife has had about 3 of them I have made over the 20 plus years and they hold up well and last forever. I went and looked up what pipe size you need. This should work pretty well for you. The T cost about $1 buck. and $3 to $5 bucks for a cheep file. You can play with different size pipe fittings too. But this should get you really close. If you try this and it works please make a video to share with others. This is 100% my idea I shown my wife's doctors over the years a few times but I never heard of a product on the market like this and it is super easy to make. My wife carries a few wafers that we pre cut so she does not have to carry the cutter with her but it is small. It takes about 3 seconds to cut a perfect wafer every time. Let me know what you think
Cecily. THANK YOU! My brother just had a colostomy done and they are training me on how to take care of it for him until he is better and can do it on his own. Your videos are wonderful! 💜
YOU ARE SO BRAVE. I WISH I COULD MASTER YOUR GREAT ATTITUDE ABOUT THIS. I START NEXT MONTH, NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS. YOU ARE GREAT.
This is a great idea. I just saw my surgeon and he explained that what I thought was my stoma is not. My stoma is actually down the hole in my abdomen. He said I have to put my pinky down the tiny hole since it is healing shut and make sure any strictures are broken. My home nurse has been working hard to find me an appliance that will not pancake on wafer. No matter what I do if there is the tiniest of crack the stool goes under the wafer and it is ruined. I just started using the rings and it gives me added security that my bag won’t just fall off as it has done twice. And I can see if it is leaking towards barrier. The reason mine is so deep is #1 I am fat and #2 the blood supply would only go so high. He really was stunned when I asked why hadn’t he used liposuction to build me a platform. He said he will ask some other surgeons and colon docs and see what they think. If and when he has to redo this I want him more prepared as mine was ruptured and an emergency surgery. I think making a flat platform on my abdomen would be the right choice. Then I could have a rosebud like everyone else. So I guess I have the queen of retractions.
Have you tried one of the deodorizers for your pancaking? The oil in them helps the stool slide down the bag.
@@billiebennish2526 yes I was given some samples it didn’t seem to help with the thick stool. I have been trying mineral oil and it seems to make it more slippery. The new bags I am using coloplast convex two piece click seems to be working the best so far with use of paste. I am on high dose prednisone for 5 years n my surgeon said he will not even attempt a reversal until I can get to 5 mgs. I am currently at 9 mgs but under 7 my PMR flairs up. He said I had a sad looking colon. I am 70 and will now be trying to train my colon with irrigation as I have a colostomy.
All hail the queen of retractions 👑 Lol, in all seriousness, thanks so much for your comment, Lisa! I also love the rings because I can see when I’m leaking or if the seal isn’t secure through the clear bandaging. I have seen permanently retracted stomas like the one you have. They can be very difficult to manage. I only deal with mine retracting intermittently. Obviously I’d suggest using a hard convex wafer, but I assume you’ve already tried those. Any wafer you use should be convex. As for pancaking, I agree with Billie, oil or lubricant is the best method I know for pancaking, but avoiding pancakes altogether is going to be trickier for you than it is for most people because of your stoma type. Hang in there until they can get an even platform for your stoma-I’ll be thinking of you. Let me know if you have any questions and keep me posted on what your colorectal says! 💜
Great video, I just started using the Sure Seal and this is great to know alternatives for emergency backups thank you for all you do.
Yay! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed using the rings, too. I think they’re absolute life savers (in both shape and function 😝). Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. It’s fun getting to know all of you and they really help motivate me 💜
Thank you so much for making this video 😊 I feel honored getting mentioned in the video after my feedback. You are such a inspiration and I think I speak for everyone, thank you for giving both the beginner og experienced stoma squad members excellent stoma advice making our life easier 🌹🌹 The hack looks awesome and will definitely try this. My local pharmacy has the Tegaderm so i will get som tomorrow and try. I’ll also going to check with my doctor if it’s possible to get these on a prescription so I don’t have to pay them. Sincerely Trond, Norway 🇳🇴
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Trond! Your comment was very insightful and it means a lot to me when you guys give your feedback. I’m really hopeful that the tegaderm can help you while you’re traveling-I think it will make your trip go much more smoothly. Definitely ask for a prescription, but I’d also recommend reaching out via phone or email to your insurance company, just to check in advance if they can be covered or reimbursed with the prescription. Let me know if you have any other questions. Sending all my love 💕
So... in Europe, you might need to look for 'fixation' products. Usually in the form of a silicon or hydrocoloid tape. I found Erland Care pads that are actually very similar to the Surefit, as far as I can tell and it seems to be a Scandinavian brand, maybe even Norwegian.
The Salts products are also available in Europe, like their hydro fixation strips. From the Trio brand, there's the Silex strips (also available in US). Eurotec is another brand that offers different sized tapes to fixate your wafer (look for Varimate strips).
All these products should be available through your regular ostomy supplier, though you might need a prescription from a specialized nurse or your primary care doctor.
Just had a leak. The nurses changed to one piece. It started to leak n my husband helped change out to another one piece n put the rings on. Today is one week since surgery. Lots to learn. Thank you for your instructions
This is great - I use 2" tegaderm style tape for this. Just cut 4-5 4" strips and place them around the flange with a little bit of overlap. It might be cheaper for people than pre-made bit patches. In Canada there are a lot of brands of tegaderm knock off tape. It also works well with a one piece
Awesome suggestions, thank you so much for sharing! It can get really expensive to buy brand-name tegaderm bandaging for every bag change, so cheaper leak protection hacks are really helpful. 💜
We've been doing the same. Soooo much less expensive!
Your videos help so many. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Matthew! I’m always here to help. Hope you’re doing well 💜
Great video. Great info about the seal rings. I am going to have to try them because my bag starts to come off my skin about a day later after I put a new one on.
Thanks so much, Robert! It’s great to hear from you 😊 The rings will absolutely stop that peeling issue and help ensure that water doesn’t weaken the barrier. I really love them (obviously, lol). I hope you can get the rings through your insurance-I haven’t looked back since using them. I hope you’re doing well…you’ve been in my thoughts lately. Sending love ❤️
You are an absolute gem !
Great video! I will definitely try this next time we go the the ocean. Last trip was a nightmare! The saltwater just eats away at the adhesive. I tried using the Hollister Barrier extenders and it made things worse. Any advise for ostomies and swimming the ocean? Thanks!
The medical supply that I have to use because that’s what my insurance allows does not have sure seals so I have to get them on my own. I found them on Amazon. I pk of sure seals cost approx. $20.I require 6 pks every 3 months, so it’s not cheap, but is so worth it. I wish I could get them through insurance. My stoma is flush with my skin if not sometimes retracted and my stomach is fat,soft,and uneven with scars, so leaks are a problem. With the Sure Seals I don’t have to be so nervous about blow outs.
Hi Tracy! Thank you for sharing your experience with getting SureSeal rings. I agree that even though they aren’t cheap, they are invaluable for leak protection. It sounds like you have been dealing with retractions-something I have a lot of experience with. You’re absolutely right…it is amazing to have the peace of mind knowing that the tegaderm will resist leaks (especially overnight). I’ve gotten the rings through Amazon multiple times, so I think that’s a great way to go if insurance doesn’t cover it. Wishing you the best with your stoma! ❤️
Just found you last night. Love your videos. People with round ostomies have an easier time cutting out their flange. My ostomy is not round ... and it is bigger than most. And I am allergic to all adhesives (I am living on Benadryl until I can get my ostomy reversed). Because of the allergy, I have a 2 piece system, but I have to change my wafer every 2 days or it will get bad. :(
Hi Carolyn! Your situation sounds incredibly painful and frustrating...I'm sorry to hear that you're allergic to adhesives. That's a tough position for an ostomate. If you don't mind my asking, would you be open to asking your doctor or ostomy nurse for a stronger antihistamine? I am on hydroxyzine and it really helps with peristomal irritation (although I just have very sensitive skin--not necessarily an allergy). Just a thought! I remember when my bag was coming off nearly every day--the irritation was torturous at times. I hope you see how strong you are for pushing through. Wishing you irritation-free days until you are cleared for a revision ❤
This was super helpful. Thank you much!
Great idea. Thank you!
Hey Mark! The dupe was so simple but ended up working really well…plus this video was super fun to film. Glad you enjoyed 😊
More bag hacks pls!! Getting my ostomy in 2 weeks so I’m taking notes on all of your videos. I may have missed the cost comparison but how does your OTC purchase compare to the Sure Seals price (without insurance)? I have Kaiser so I’m betting they will only cover the absolute basics but I go above and beyond to make sure I have all that I need. Also, do all the bags make that crinkly bag sound? 😮 Thank you for being you Cecily! You are taking the fear of the unknown out of this for me and so many. And more kitties!! 😻
Thanks for this
You’re so welcome, Pat! 😉
I tried the tagaderm but it didn't work but theses sure seal rings are great!
Ty
JoAnna Happy Glad
Dog Bone Milk
I have a Illeostomy and I’m so happy to see someone that uses the same products as me. I enjoyed you video and I’m gonna go buy some the products you got from CVS. I’m a follower now🙏🏽🤎
This is such a great idea. But does it really prevent leaking like Brava Barrier Strips? If so I am blown awayyyy! 🎆🫨
I hope this link does not get deleted but this is by far the cheapest way to by tegederm and it works so well. 6 in x 16 feet for $10.
Also the Secure T USA No sting Barrier protective wipes 202400 made by hollister Is a skin prep wipe that will help your wafer stick. Apply to the skin around stoma. Let it dry and all sticky products will stick better. Great for the wafer but also great to get the tegederm to stick and last way longer. I seen one of your other videos on incontinence that I left a short Essay a little about myself. Before bowel IC I wouldsometimes use a condom catheter at night to get a break from diapers. These prep wipes helped it to stay stuck a lot!! Also if you have or use a tens unit for pain you can use these wipes on the electro pads and it will bring them back to life. sticker than new every time. I have tens pads "I have used over 100 times.
I use to use a pain patch and I used this exact generic roll or tegederm type material to keep it down and it works amazing.
Wife has a sigmoid ostomy so she has most of her colon. Yours is way more liquid. I hope this helps you some.
www.amazon.com/Transparent-Adhesive-Waterproof-Bandages-Dressing/dp/B089GVPQ2W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=tegaderm+rolls&qid=1688881208&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
www.amazon.com/Genairex-Securi-T-Protective-Dressing-Non-irritating/dp/B008CM7TFC
I sometimes use a condom catheter at nightand I use these prep wipes.