Ileostomy

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Hello. Having been diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2025 I am on a imunotherapy treatment every 6 weeks as initial CT scan and surgery showed that removal of cancer polyps was risky. So having had an ileostomy I am well on the way of servicing stoma bags et al and still experimenting with a range of products available to make this easier regarding leakage and skin irritation etc.

What I have read in various blogs regards leakage and emptying I think I may have resolved some of the problems.

1. Do not allow the discharge to become too liquidous. Limit high fibre foods and take Loperamide as prescribed.

2. Spay the inside of the bag with olive oil before application as this will assist the "squeezed" flow

3. Gents, in particular, don't wear belts or anything that compresses the top of the bag. I wear loose fitting joggers at home and revert to good old braces when outside or exercising. (Bag servicing is not a problem)

4. Before bed, empty bag and ensure it stays on the outside of the waist band of pyjamas or shorts. This allows some flow in the horizontal position providing you lie on your back.

5. Use barrier spray or wipes after cleaning the skin and allow 20-30 seconds for the alcohol to evaporate before attachment. During this time, prepare the bag by removing protective films and papers etc.

6. Use plenty of barrier extenders or adhesive and ensure the extenders overlap the bag backing (as per instructions!)

Hope these comments help. To add to my problems recently I developed a Stoma Prolapse of about 70mm. This has been tucked backin to my bowel!

SarahH21 20 days ago

Hi KWM6f9430 and welcome to the group.

Thank you for providing a useful guide to your ileostomy experience. I’m sure others will find it helpful, especially new members.

I’ve got a permanent end colostomy and a urostomy (I also had my bladder removed as well as my rectum) and that was more than 5 years ago now.

However, even for those of us who’ve lived with stomas for a long time, it’s good to read hints and tips from others about what has been helpful for them. There’s always scope to learn something new!

I hope now that you’ve joined us you’ll be able to join in with any discussions you’d like to contribute to, and start new topics if you ‘d like to.

You’re very welcome to be with us.

Sarah xx

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Dulac 20 days ago

Again for men shave your abdomen as necessary to keep the adhesive area smooth. It eases discomfort when detaching the pouch and can reduce the risk of establishing a small leakage path which tends to increase as the hours pass. I cut the top off a 1 litre plastic bottle at a point where the diameter is slightly larger than my stoma and use it as a shield to avoid accidents with a razor! Works well, can be re-used and costs nothing.

Katz51 20 days ago

Great tips.

Could I just add a caveat to no 2.if spraying in the bag with any oil do make sure it doesnt get near the base plate as it would interfere with any adhesion

No 4 if you wriggle around a lot inbed as I do its best to tuck the bag into pyjama bottoms so you dont catch it on the beddding.

Latestart 20 days ago

Hi KWM6f9430,

My tips - while preparing to change keep the new bag somewhere warm (eg armpit) so that the adhesive is activating and keep the room warm too - the adhesive works with body heat so in winter if it is cold you may find it won't stay put otherwise. Then hold it firmly against your skin for a while after applying - I do it for 2 minutes to make sure it sticks properly and reduces leakage.

Mine is a Urostomy so can be heavy if I forget to change in time. I don't use any extenders and have bags from Welland that avoid irritation (the back plate is impregnated with Manuka honey) as I have lots of allergies.

All the bst,

Latestart

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