Hello i am currently looking my mom who is 84 and been fitted with a colostomy bag due to termial cancer
she as been fiited with a baseplate and 2 kinds of seals but we are still experiencing leaks which is upsetting my mom really bad
any tips please to stop these leaks
Hi Kay
Can I first thank Kareno62 for doing the groundwork on this for me.
Reading your post I assume that your mum is using a 2 piece device but what is confusing me is the two types of seals, does this read that you are using both at the same time.
If you don't mind me asking which two seals are you are using as some manufacturers produce their seals in two depths which might be a better option.
Many stoma care nurses and manufacturers advocate that the seals should be applied directly onto the base plate but I find it better, albeit a bit fiddly at times, to apply the seal directly to the skin as this way you can mold the seal around mums stoma and form an all round seal before applying the base plate to the skin.
I do have to reiterate words I have used many times, It is imperative that the stoma size is measured for size regularly especially during times of leaks.
Is you mum showing any other indications that could be causing leaks
Not emptying the bag at the right time
Does she look as if her bag is pancaking.
What is pancaking?
Pancaking is when a vacuum occurs in the stoma bag and the bag sticks together, preventing the contents from dropping to the bottom. Faeces remain at the top of the bag which can potentially block the filter, and the bag can also be forced off the body. This can happen with an ileostomy or colostomy.
A quick gentle pat to the stoma area or a gentle shake of the bag can dislodge it.
Make sure that your mum continues to drink and keep her fluids up at all times.
Before applying your pouch blow gently into before its applied.
We are all told that we don't need to suffer from leaks which is true just finding your mums solution and working together we will find the solution for her.
Please keep me informed.
Ian
CC
Hi Kay
Thanks for the update, information very helpful
You seem to be talking about two different products.
1. Protective barrier seals.
2. Flange extenders.
1. The Protective Barrier seals l help to sral the gaps that occur between the ostomy barrier and your stoma. The skin surrounding your stoma can come into contact with output and that causes skin irritation and damage. The stomal skin needs to be protected from output and irritation from adhesive. These are normally elasticated and can stretched in all directions to get a good fit and might move with your stoma during that day to keep protecting. This is the one I used, they come in various sizes and thicknesses
The base plate should always be be cut to suit the current hole size.
2. Flange extenders are a completely product and unfortunately are referred to by some as seals. 
Flange extenders are manufactured by may companies and come in various sizes, widths and lengths. The basic idea is to, as the name implies, is to me make the base wafer larger and are favoured by many including myself to get the extra hours or days out of a pouch. I use an extra size (width and length)
There are rules to being an ostomate, no right way no wrong way except the way it works for your mum, we call it trial and error with a little bit of everyone else solutions being stired around in the pot.
No matter what you do the you should always remember the basis of good stoma management is regular checking of the hole size can make a big difference to your mum living with a stoma.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need any more questions normally I'm around 7 days a weeks from early to late and I do very occasionally check in during the night sleeping hours to make sure all is okay.
Ian
CC
