Learning Ostomy

Question:

Hi Mark,   The Holister pouch that the ET nurse gave me has ‘paper tape’ around the outer edge of the flange, wouldn’t that lose it’s stick in the water?     Thanks for the suggestion about introducing Paul (my hubby of 11.5 yrs) to the newsgroup!  I never would have thought of that….not sure if he’ll post but maybe I could get him to read a bit.  He’s been 100% behind me in this decision, although he does sometimes get an odd look on his face when I pass on some of the ‘ostomy humour’! Joyce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mark Barber wrote in message <9uRC6.2488$Vt5.355…@news2.cableinet.net>… >1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, That one is the simplest to answer, I >don’t buy it, there is no need for it. Flanges are designed to be as >waterproof as possible.

Response:

Thanks David,     I’ll have to call edgepark …. their web site didn’t seem to indicate if they shipped out of country or had a Canadian distributor (sorry, I didn’t think to mention that I’m Canadian before)     Lots of useful info here, I’ve printed it out to add to my growing stack of papers.  I hadn’t heard of the Skin Bond cement before.  I’m finding the amount of products available a bit daunting at the moment! Joyce

Response:

Nope.  It’ll hang on.  At least it will in a shower.  When finished, just pat it dry with a towel and press on.  Hubby will learn our ‘ostomy humor.’ PcolaPhil If women can have PMS, then men can have ESPN "J. Cooley" <jcool…@kos.net> wrote in message

news:3adcdb57$2@news.kos.net… | Hi Mark, | |   The Holister pouch that the ET nurse gave me has ‘paper tape’ around the | outer edge of the flange, wouldn’t that lose it’s stick in the water? | |     Thanks for the suggestion about introducing Paul (my hubby of 11.5 yrs) | to the newsgroup!  I never would have thought of that….not sure if he’ll | post but maybe I could get him to read a bit.  He’s been 100% behind me in | this decision, although he does sometimes get an odd look on his face when I | pass on some of the ‘ostomy humour’! | | Joyce | | | Mark Barber wrote in message

<9uRC6.2488$Vt5.355…@news2.cableinet.net>… | >1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, That one is the simplest to answer, I | >don’t buy it, there is no need for it. Flanges are designed to be as | >waterproof as possible. | > | | > | | |

Response:

no one will ever learn "our ostomy humour" I fully convinced we all very warped in this newsgroup ) Mark "PcolaPhil" <flaretph…@earthlink.net> wrote in message

news:YJ7D6.2253$vI2.146042@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Nope.  It’ll hang on.  At least it will in a shower.  When finished, > just pat it dry with a towel and press on.  Hubby will learn our > ‘ostomy humor.’ > PcolaPhil > If women can have PMS, then men can have ESPN > "J. Cooley" <jcool…@kos.net> wrote in message > news:3adcdb57$2@news.kos.net… > | Hi Mark, > | > |   The Holister pouch that the ET nurse gave me has ‘paper tape’ > around the > | outer edge of the flange, wouldn’t that lose it’s stick in the > water? > | > |     Thanks for the suggestion about introducing Paul (my hubby of > 11.5 yrs) > | to the newsgroup!  I never would have thought of that….not sure if > he’ll > | post but maybe I could get him to read a bit.  He’s been 100% behind > me in > | this decision, although he does sometimes get an odd look on his > face when I > | pass on some of the ‘ostomy humour’! > | > | Joyce > | > | > | Mark Barber wrote in message > <9uRC6.2488$Vt5.355…@news2.cableinet.net>… > | >1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, That one is the simplest to > answer, I > | >don’t buy it, there is no need for it. Flanges are designed to be > as > | >waterproof as possible. > | > > | > | > > | > | > |

Response:

I never have used pink tape, as yet….still don’t really know what it is for…as for baths and showers. ….I shower with nothing but my wafer on (I use a two piece system), and soak in the tub with the bag on…I just switch bags if I wanna be dry or pat dry and blow with a blow dryer for a few minutes if I don’t mind being a bit damp….I, too, used Hollister after my surgery but quickly changed to Convatec’s Surefit, Durahesive with convexity after I had too many blowouts with the Hollister system..I like the pouch better also, it is covered on both sides with some sort  of stuff and seems to hold up better than my Hollister did…I average 6 days now with each wafer and use 2 bags that I interchange (one regular size at night and a mini during the day). As for recovery time, I think it takes more time to recover from the anemia and Crohn’s than it does to recover from the actual sugery..I was fine 2 months after my surgery but still was beat from the lack of energy….I still take a nap, although I could probably do with out it…I am working myself up to a WILD summer with the kids outta school  ; ) Peace!     eMi Crohn’s disease 1988 Ileostomy 01-04-01 ( it gave me back my life!)

Response:

>f papers.  I hadn’t heard of the Skin Bond cement before.  I’m finding the

I swear by Skin Bond. I use this with Convatec 2-piece flexible wafers. It solves 2 problems, it insulates my skin as it is sensitve to the adhesive used in the wafer and it eliminated the need for tape as it has extended wear time from 4-5 days to 7-9 days and longer. I also use Eakin seals. Skin bond is just simply liquid latex and bonds as it dries. bd

Response:

That’s good news, thanks! Joyce – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mark Barber wrote in message … >Holister put this tape on to protect the flange against water, but they are >the only manufacturer I have tried that do so. I take 1 hour baths every day >and never have problems, unless I have only just fitted a new bag (it does >take a while before you get a full bond) >Mark

Response:

>..I love my soaks in the tub and don’t want to have >to give them up!

Hi Joyce, I have never had to put any tape on my pouch when showering.  I can hot tub and bathe in a tub without any problem. You just have to dry the pouch with a hair dryer when you get out, that seems to remelt the sticky stuff and restick it good. .>(spare tire, I guess) whenever I sit down.  I’m worried that this would >cause a two piece appliance to ‘pop off’ from the bend

A wafer with convexity and a belt will take care of this problem. Have a good one, Joy

Response:

Hi,     I’ve been lurking on this group for the past couple of months off and on since ostomy surgery was being strongly suggested by my GI Docs (I’ve been trying to ignore their suggestions for years)……anyways, the possiblility of surgery became a reality after I rapidly lost 4 units of blood in the toilet and fainted on the bathroom floor a couple of weeks ago. (Oh, crohn’s disease 14 yrs).  I’m scheduled for a proctocolectomy + ileostomy surgery on May 2,2001.     I’ve come up with a couple of questions……although others managed to ask most of mine along with some I never thought of!     1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, what brands are there? anytype better than others?  My ET in our brief meeting mentioned that if I wanted to shower with the bag on I would need to line the papertape on the flange with waterproof tape…..I love my soaks in the tub and don’t want to have to give them up!     2) I lost a fair bit of weight suddenly in this last batch of flair-ups and have a lot of loose skin on my belly below my waist that rounds out a lot (spare tire, I guess) whenever I sit down.  I’m worried that this would cause a two piece appliance to ‘pop off’ from the bend it would be forced into…..also I sent for and received a convatec catalogue that mentions flexible flanges??? would they be better for this type of thing….am I worrying about something that doesn’t need to be worried about?     3) I also have a *lot* of small stretch marks in the ’spare tire’ region above so will I need to use the ‘paste’ all the time?  and do you just use it around the stoma or all over the area that will be covered by the sticky ring part of the flange?     4) I know that individual recovery time varies….but what is sort of average for getting back to work after this surgery?  My ET nurse seemed to think my idea of 2mths was reasonable, so that is what I told my boss, although the place where I work will cover me for up to 6mths shortterm disability.  Oh, I work in a research lab where most of my time is spent sitting/standing operating computers and equipment, if I need something more physical done there are others I can ask to help me. Hmmm, now that I’ve started asking questions I keep thinking of more………… I’m sure you will be hearing more from me! Joyce (age 33, female, married, almost  9yr old daughter, Crohn’s 14yrs, and very ready for this surgery….I think!) remove the 3 from my email addy

Response:

1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, what brands are there? anytype better than others?  My ET in our brief meeting mentioned that if I wanted to shower with the bag on I would need to line the papertape on the flange with waterproof tape…..I love my soaks in the tub and don’t want to have to give them up! Most ostomy supply catalogues (Edgepark  1-800-321-0591 or www.edgepark.com) will have Pink Tape, as do most hosptial supply stores. Perma-type Pink Tape is a popular brand that comes in a variety of widths. Hy-Tape is another brand I’ve seen. I’ve never found framing my appliance to be necessary when taking a shower. Baths are more problematical. I don’t take baths, but I read postings from one person on this newsgroup who said he regularly did hot-tubs by painting over his wafer with Skin Bond cement. He said it held up just fine.     2) I lost a fair bit of weight suddenly in this last batch of flair-ups and have a lot of loose skin on my belly below my waist that rounds out a lot (spare tire, I guess) whenever I sit down.  I’m worried that this would cause a two piece appliance to ‘pop off’ from the bend it would be forced into…..also I sent for and received a convatec catalogue that mentions flexible flanges??? would they be better for this type of thing….am I worrying about something that doesn’t need to be worried about? I don’t think you’ll have a problem. A lot of wafers are very flexible. Convatec Surfit Durahesive Wafers are very flexible — even with convexivity. Mine usually hold up for 6-8 days even with a lot of bending.     3) I also have a *lot* of small stretch marks in the ’spare tire’ region above so will I need to use the ‘paste’ all the time?  and do you just use it around the stoma or all over the area that will be covered by the sticky ring part of the flange? Eakin seals work much better than paste in my option for covering scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, etc., and for providing more comfort, better skin care and longer  wear time. They are expensive, but the long wear time easily covers their expense. I find that with Eakin Seals, I don’t need paste, skin barriers, tape, powders or anything else — and I have a lot of scarring in the peristomal area.    4) I know that individual recovery time varies….but what is sort of average for getting back to work after this surgery?  My ET nurse seemed to think my idea of 2mths was reasonable, so that is what I told my boss, although the place where I work will cover me for up to 6mths shortterm disability.  Oh, I work in a research lab where most of my time is spent sitting/standing operating computers and equipment, if I need something more physical done there are others I can ask to help me. Two months sound reasonable to me. I was able to start gradually after about six weeks because I could telecommunicate from home.  I worked half days at work for several weeks before resuming fultime. But take it easy and don’t push yourself. Hmmm, now that I’ve started asking questions I keep thinking of more………… I’m sure you will be hearing more from me! We certainly hope so. Joyce (age 33, female, married, almost  9yr old daughter, Crohn’s 14yrs, and very ready for this surgery….I think!) By the time I had this surgery I was very ready for it after suffering so much from Crohn’s.  My only regret is that I didn’t have the surgery much sooner. Please don’t hesitate to ask any question whatsoever. And don’t hesitate to share your learning experiences with others who are lurking out there. The very best to you.

Response:

1) Where do you buy waterproof tape?, That one is the simplest to answer, I don’t buy it, there is no need for it. Flanges are designed to be as waterproof as possible. 2) I lost a fair bit of weight suddenly in this last batch of flair-ups…. Most of us suffered extreme weight loss prior to surgery, once you have recovered from your op you will find your skin will settle back to normal. There are many different makes of appliances so you need to play around with them post op to find the one that best suits you. Most ostomy manufacturers will supply a small number of samples. 3) I also have a *lot* of small stretch marks……. You mean you don’t have a perfect body?? Damn we thought we had someone unique for a bit. We all have lumps, bumps, scars & marks to cope with. If the scars or stretch marks run under where the flange will sit then you may need to flatten the skin using paste or seals to get a better seal, but don’t take it as an 100% certainty, you may be able to avoid use of paste ( I hardly ever bother with it)  4) I know that individual recovery time varies…… Yup it sure does vary, but hopefully going in as planned surgery you will be in reasonably good health pre-op to make the recovery go as smooth as possible. I was rushed into surgery following perforation of my colon and was in hospital 6 weeks with 6 months off work, but most people in your kind of work having had elective surgery for this condition would expect to be able to return to work in or around your two month time scale. You may need to sit more than stand initially but you will make a full recovery post op. Hmmm, now that I’ve started asking questions I keep thinking of more…… Keep asking we will do all we can to help, but don’t worry too much about flanges etc for now, they are very effective and any possible problems you encounter we will be best placed to help post op as you encounter them. What could be a good idea is to introduce Mr Joyce to this newsgroup now so he can come in here and ask questions for you when you are in hospital and also so he can prepare himself too for the new life ahead you will both share. I feel that the partners are often forgotten and left to cope alone at this worrying time. "Joyce  (age 33, female, married, almost  9yr old daughter, Crohn’s 14yrs, and very ready for this surgery….I think!)" that last bit of your sign off shows you are in the right frame of mind already, none of us are ever 100% ready, so just keep positive and enjoy the new life when the surgery is complete. We will all be here ready and willing to help. Mark

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