Stoma bag support

A few tips that might work:

1.  Clean the area around the stoma with clean water and dry it with a dry wipe. Don't use soaps or lotions that leave a residue;

2.  Shave the area smooth as hair can create a leakage path that gradually increases;

3.  Wipe the area with a Salts wet wipe, which will dry in seconds;

4.  Treat the skin with a Fusion stick, which will prime the skin to receive the adhesive flange of the pouch;

5.  Apply the pouch working from the centre outwards, starting from the hard plastic ring;

6.  When in place, apply Brava Elastic Tape strips that supplement the flange;

7.  Ensure that the cut-out in the pouch is a snug fit and not oversized.

The accessories mentioned are available on prescription supported by your stoma nurse.

Thank you so much, will share with my dad 

As well as all the other things mentioned there are 2 things that help with getting bags to stick. You need to know that the adhesive has to be warm to work so:

1. Put the new bag in your father's armpit while he gets everything ready for the change. (Women can slip it into our bra). 

2. As soon as the skln is dry after cleaning the skin remove the plastic cover on the warmed new bag, carefully centre the hole in the bag over the stoma then press the sticky bit firmly around the hole and work outwards ending on the circle around the edge. Then cover the bag with a hand and cup it to keep warming the adhesive. I hold it for a couple of minutes with one hand pressed over the other as I have cold hands. Stoma nurses always seem to have hot hands so just dab the new bag on but that doesn't work for me

I have a urostomy but the adhesive must be the same for other types of bags.

Masking tape could irritate your father's skin so not helpful. 

I also use a narrow elasticated belt (provided by my stoma nurse) that threads through the bag loops. That helps my stoma protrude into the bag - avoiding leakage behind the collar of the bag -  and helps the bag stay on

 My stoma is in a dip in my stomach - they call that an innie (as opposed to and outie) and my bags are convex to fit into the dip. If your father's is like that also, the stoma nurse can offer rings and extenders if your father needs them. I used to use rings too but though they helped at first my stomach changed shape.

Final tip - stoma pants (pants with a pocket to hold the bag). I rely on them although many don't need them. M&S has started to make them for men and I have seen good reviews. I use their womens range  and find them cheaper than others  well made and easily washed.

Hope some of this helps. It will get easier with practice. And he can always ring his stoma nurse If he needs help.

All the best,

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