Question:
Good morning
· I had my surgery September 8 2023 for an ileostomy which needed revisions. I went home the next day ,
· I have an issue with the size of my stoma now it’s 1 inch 3/4 big when I cut my flange I am cutting over the maximum width on the flange ! Do I need a different flange ?
· Yes the stoma works better different feeling with this stoma then the other
· Slowly getting back eating
· Felt I was not getting appropriate support by nursing agency.
· The nurses ordered product but they were not fitted appropriately. A call says that I’d get a nurse to visit experienced with stomas – but not seen yet
· I have received my ADP
Response:
So sorry to hear your story! Frustration due to the current health care system where it is difficult to get nurses in prior to the client developing issues has compromised client’s quality of life!
Yes you can get product in different sizes – either cut to fit or exact sizes if stoma is round.
1. The stoma size will decrease usually within 6 to 8 weeks. This is caused by surgery and takes time for the extra fluid in the tissue cells to decrease.
2. Below are the 3 companies you can phone and they will send you free product for you to try. They do not sell directly to you so they will not harass you. That way you can try each product and identify the one that best works for you. Below are companies that will send you free product to trial and you do not have to sign up if not interested in their programs
Hollister – lifelong program for questions or issues you have – it is a free service, and it is ok if you are not using their products to enrol. Hollister usually has an experienced ostomy nurse to give advice over the phone .
Hollister website
· Program called Secure Starthttps://www.hollister.ca/en-ca/securestartconsumer
· We’re here for you for as long as and whenever you need us, regardless of the brand of product you use.
· After you enroll, a Secure Start Coordinator will contact you by phone or email to start providing you the benefits of Hollister Secure Start services. Enroll today!
· If you have questions about our services or products please call 1.866.789.7574 or email securestartcanada@hollister.com.
· Visit the Ostomy Care Learning Center for more information on types of ostomies and lifestyle content, including videos, booklets, and more!
· Or Contact Us at 1.800.263.7400 Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5pm
Our goal is to ensure that you have the Hollister products you need and the information you need to use them successfully.
Convatec website
· Has a program called Enroll-in-me+ https://www.convatec.ca/forms/enroll-in-meplus/
· With me+™, we surround you with the support, inspiration, insights, and ideas that you need to live with an ostomy in your own way.
· Because we believe you are defined by your interests, your hobbies, your friends and all the things that make you unique — not your ostomy.
· Our expert team of nurses and product specialists is available to:
· Help you figure out which products are right for you
· Teach you how to take care of the skin around your stoma and change your ostomy system
· Help you cope with tricky lifestyle issues and anything else that may come up
Have questions? Call our me+™ support team at 1-800-465-6302, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm ET.
Enroll in me+
With me+™, we surround you with the support, inspiration, insights, and ideas that you need to live with an ostomy in your own way. Because we believe you are defined by your interests, your hobbies, your friends and all the things that make you unique — not your ostomy.
Our expert team of nurses and product specialists is available to:
· Help you figure out which products are right for you
· Teach you how to take care of the skin around your stoma and change your ostomy system
· Help you cope with tricky lifestyle issues and anything else that may come up
Coloplast
Education tools on ostomies https://www.coloplast.ca/ostomy/people-with-an-ostomy/
If you need assistance on where to purchase Coloplast products, please call our Consumer Support Advisors at 1-866-293-6349. We are here to help.
Karen Bruton RN BScN MCISc-WH WOCC(C)
Nurse Education Consultant – Interprofessional Practice Support
Indigenous Services Canada, Government of Canada
Ostomy Canada (Volunteer)
Medical and Lifestyle Advisory Team Lead