stoma bleeding

Hi Ian,

Thank you for your reply and attached video, which is a great help.

I will measure my stoma and when I place my next order I will tell them about the new measurements.

Thank you for your help and support and stay safe.

Dear Lisa. Do you find that your stoma’s size and shape vary? If so, you might want to consider cutting the hole yourself, if you’re able. It doesn’t take long, and enables you to tailor the opening. If, in time, it’s size and shape settle down again, pre-cut is always there for you...

Wellspring - you must be much better at cutting the hole in pouches than I am. Blimey it seems to take me forever to check, check & check again, then to draw a very irregular shape, then to cut it (not always right first time, and occasionally cutting into the plastic lining of the pouch, oh, dear). Each time I do it - which is nearly every day, I wish I was more 'crafty'. It shouldn't be difficult, but somehow it is. If you have any tips on how to make this any easier, please share. I try to believe my technique will improve, but after 4 weeks I seem inept as ever.

Best wishes.

After many years of cutting out circles, ovals and irregular shapes I think I've hit the jackpot.

To help me I need the following

The peel off plastic from the last pouch.

This is used to ensure that my stoma size is still the same.

The piece of the flange that is left after making the cut is placed in position over the new pouch lining up lines, when happy draw round this template.

Taking the new pouch and if drainable close up the tail then blow into the bag through the starter hole, the using round ended scissors cut straight out from the starter hole until reaching the cutting mark carefully turn in and follow marking until back to start. Take out the cut out piece and place it to one side and take the original cutting template, apply it to the cut out hole match up the lines and you should find that the original template fits nice and snug into the hole and you now have a cut out pouch exactly as your previous one.

Always ensure that the template has the lines facing towards your body

Stoma nurses make it look easy but sometimes their cutting is a bit off.

Ian

CC

Hello Ian

I have a similar technique, but poor execution I think. Partly because I am so nervous of not getting it right that I hesitate, and sometimes even my hands shake . . . which is a nuisance, as I am not usually like this. Which is why I hope it gets easier with time.

Thank you and best wishes.

Hi Silver Birch. Perhaps I’m a little more cavalier. I cut a round hole even though the outline of “Hermes” is anything but. And rely on a donut round the stoma to protect any exposed skin. The scissors I use are curved which makes it easier to cut round shapes. And I put a finger inside the opening to guide the scissors and reduce the risk of cutting through the pouch itself. You can get round-ended scissors, normally for trimming nasal hair!, that might work as well. What do you think?

Hello Wellspring

I think I do need to be a bit more relaxed about it . . . and hopefully the anxiety around getting it right and not causing problems will reduce over time. I just wondered what a 'donut' is in this context?

Many thanks and best wishes.

Hello Wellspring,

Thank you for your message.

I can't cut them as it hurts my hands (yes, I know it's wimpy). I did do when I was in hospital when I first had my colostomy but it was wonky and not a good fit, ha, ha, ha

Take care and stay safe.

https://www.dansac.co.uk/en-gb/products/ostomy-care-products/accessories/dansac-tre-seal/dansac-tre-seal.

Been thinking about how to reply, and thought I should leave that to the suppliers. Have tried two makes, and get on better with Dansac. This link should get you to their entry on “donuts”. 

Hello Lisa

I’m so sorry that it hurts to cut the bags. No need to suffer if pre-cutting works for you. If not, would sharper scissors help?

Also, been wondering how often you change your bag - do you use drainables as these should last 24 hours and so require fewer chemicals applied to your skin?

As you say, let’s stay safe and remember to thank our stomas for keeping us alive, even when they infuriate us!