What is Convexity? – Convex Ostomy System

The word convexity mentions the outward shape of the faceplate. The purpose is to reach the inside of the skin around the stoma to provide a high level of the seal.

Is Convexity an Important Part for Ostomy Supplies?

For the ostomates who face too much watery discharge, they need a fixed ostomy bag. Therefore, to control leakage convexity plays a vital role.

It can provide an optimal peristomal seal to the stoma. A stoma is in different shapes and sizes. It can be round, oval, or uneven. Thus, the convexity is necessary for patients who cannot use non-convex appliances. It is ideal for flat and retracted stomas. Moreover, there are different types and sizes of the convex ostomy system. They have designed to make the self-use more comfortable. The sealing provides the best protection against leakage. Thus, the patients who are physically weak and elder, they must use the convexity contain skin barriers. It provides a cozy application and removal.

Convex Ostomy System

I have mentioned in my previous blog about the flat and convex ostomy systems. However, I am repeating the convex appliance. It has a skin barrier, faceplate, and ring outward against the peristomal skin. The curve presses down on the skin of the patient and sticks out to the stoma.

Advantages of the Convex Pouching System

Here I bring you a few benefits of the convex pouching system. Every patient should consult his doctor or nurse before bringing a change in his ostomy life and appliances.

• It stops the urine.
•  It can control the leakage of stool and watery discharge.
• The sealing is secure; therefore, it makes the application comfortable.
•  It can prevent skin irritation.
•  It has an easy way of application; thus, it requires minimum time.
•  It saves you time and money.
•  As it can prevent or stop leakage; thus, it boosts your confidence and slashes down the public embarrassment.

When Should a Patient Use Convex Product?

An ostomate should use the convex product when he feels leakage of the stool or urine. In some patients, stoma empties the waste below the skin surface, then he must use the convexity contain pouch. To avoid wrinkles, scars, and creases in the skin on the peristomal.

Extra Key Points

Your WOC nurse or ET nurse should fit the convex ostomy system for the very first time. You cannot adjust it on your own for the first time only. Later on, you can because the application and use are easy. To check out the working process of the pouching appliance, you should visit your doctor. The medical staff will examine either it functions properly or not.

If you use a belt of the convex product, it can leave a mark on your abdomen. Therefore, it should not be too tight. These are usually comfortable and flexible equipment; however, a few are less than non-convex items.

Some convex products are expensive; however, if your wear time is longer, then no worries. But, you have to change the system, again and again, then, it is costly for you.

Before using the convex products, consult your WOC nurse. As this is not the only solution for the leakage. Wear the convex ostomy system after the recommendation of your doctor.

When Should you Wear the Convex Ostomy System?

The ostomates should wear the convex pouch for the two months from excretion. They should wear after the stoma reaches to its normal size.

Moreover, a patient should wear the convex ostomy pouch in the following cases:

• When they have a retracted stoma.
•  When they have a flush or peristomal skin level stoma.
• When they have a high level of leakage.
• When a patient’s stoma forms a loop in the bowel.
• When an ostomate has wrinkles, scars, and creases.
•   When a patient has a flimsy abdomen.

What is a Pre-Cut Ostomy System?

An ostomy system includes all the accessories required for ostomates. The ostomy supplies include stoma bag or pouch, adhesive, wafer, wipes, and a few more instruments to cover and collect the discharge. However, there are several types of ostomy systems or bags. A pre-cut is one of the kinds of ostomy systems. In this system, there is a cut-opening in the container. Moreover, it has made according to the size of around stomas. It is adjustable to the size of the stoma. There are two types of pre-cut ostomy systems.

• Flat pre-cut ostomy system.
• Convex pre-cut ostomy system.

The Flat Pre-Cut Ostomy System

This pouching system is the best solution for the ostomates who have jutted out stomas. The poked out opening outwards at least one-inch such patients should use a flat pre-cut ostomy system. This pouch lies flat on the peristomal skin.

Convex Pre-Cut Ostomy System

The convex pre-cut ostomy system is the best solution for small, inverted, and flatter stomas. For all these shapes, an ostomate should wear a convex pre-cut pouch. It has a skin barrier, faceplate, and ring curve. It pastes the convex bag; the patient has to press the ring curve down towards the skin. Then, the convex pre-cut pouch will stick to the stoma and can better perform the duty (empty the discharge).

Types of Convex Pre-Cut Ostomy System

The following are the different types of convex system:

Cut-to-Fit Convex Pouching System

Cut-to-fit convex is available in two-piece and one-piece ostomy systems. The best part of this pouch is it permits you to make a cut opening in the skin barrier. Due to the cut, it can properly adjust and fit the stoma. For round stomas, this is an ideal system.

Precut Convex Pouching System

The precut convex is available in various sizes. The opening in the skin barrier is suitable for every shape of the stoma. Moreover, it has one-piece and two-piece ostomy bags.

Convex Insert

The convex insert is a two-piece pouch, a product of a pre-cut ostomy system. It has pre-sized plastic rings. These have used in the flanges of the flat bags.

Barrier Strips or Rings

The barrier strips or rings are the flexible products of ostomy pouching system. You can adjust and modify the shape and size of the ring. According to the size of the stoma, you can change it.

Custom-made Convex Product

A patient’s choice of convex ostomy bag is a custom-made product. The company makes the pouch with built-in convexity especially for you.

Faceplate

The faceplate pre-cut ostomy bag is a reusable product. Moreover. It has made with the built-in convexity.

Ostomy Belts and Binders

Ostomy belts and binders have made to give some extra support to the patient and the pouching system.

The elder or weak (arthritis patients) patients should use the pre-cut convex. It is friendly and easy to apply. Every ostomate regardless of age and physical ability can use it on his own. You will not seek anyone’s help for the use of a pre-cut ostomy bag. Moreover, the adjustment of the product is just perfect. You will face no leakage issue with the pre-cut bag. Well, the paramount point to note down is, you should maintain and establish predictable sealing.

How to Choose a Perfect Pre-cut Pouching System?

The vital point is to measure your stoma. Before selecting a pouching system, you should know the shape and size of your hole in the abdomen. The ostomates who have flat and firm bellies, you select wither flexible with bordered paper tape system or non-flexible with full skin barrier wafer pouches.

However, the ostomates with flabby or creases abdomens should choose the convex system.

Being outdoor active with an ostomy

My life is different and yet the same as all others.  I have a stoma.  Yep, that is right and I still enjoy almost all the same things that I did before my stoma.  t is no surprise to most people that know me and I don't let that topic spoil any joy in my life.  The reality is that I had a colostomy and that I now have a stoma.  What didn't change in my life is well mostly my whole life.  The idea of having to do a few extra routine changes throughout the day did not deter me from having a nice and active life.  This is a reality that I try to impart to as many people as I can, especially if I know that they are slated for ostomy surgery.  Now the question I get the most and love to answer due to all of my social media posts is, can I hike with an ostomy. With my lifestyle, I get a lot of questions and I love them!

What I think is that you own personal medical provider knows you best and what works for you.  Not me, or any social media star.  Not all of us are the same and in fact, no one is.  We all have a stoma for different reasons or may have other things added on to our health and you should ask your healthcare provider what is reasonable for you.  But in general, I don't know anyone who is held back simply by their stoma. Mentally, we are held back from doing a whole lot of things and I sure know I am.  I do love being in the great outdoors and it helps me live and be free and happy. 

Being a gear guy I know that it matters and can change your life!  Many people are also in different climates and that can play a part in the gear you use.  I have found that talking to people smarter or simply more experienced than myself is the way to learn about what gear will be best.  I think finding the right type and size of the bag and maybe adding a belt is important.  The altitude that you are in may determine what type of bag and seal you use.  Pressure changes in different locations could mean something that works for me, would be a disaster for you.  So I suggest calling up different places to find out what may work best for your hike.  I work hard to keep my life the same as it was before the surgery and that is worth its weight in gold to me.

There are great customer service people who will rock life for you. This area is generally a low-stress area.  These people usually just want to help you go out and be the best you.  Now not everyone is that way and some people are simply having a bad day, but when I have called up some big companies they have answered my questions and giving me many more questions due to their knowledge base.  Also talking to your local pharmacist is a pretty good idea too. I love the local information because these people have been in the business and seen a whole lot.   Get outside, ask questions, and don't be afraid to learn and fail. 

Airforce pilot with an ostomy

I am a pilot for the united states airforce and have been for almost five years now. I had always had a fascination with planes, significantly when I was growing up. I followed my dream and became an airforce pilot shortly after graduating from high school and since then have not looked back. I enjoy flying; it is a freeing feeling being eleven thousand feet in the air. I fly recon missions primary, but a few action missions as well, which are nerve-racking, to say the least, but having my wingmen on my side helps enormously. One day as we were going about our regular recon over the operation area, we took fire. 

I still remember that day as if it were yesterday; it was one of the scariest experiences I’ve had while flying. The day was like any other, clear blue skies with puffy white clouds dotting the atmosphere here and there. The next thing I remember, I see a massive fireball to my left. My wingman and a close friend were just shot down by an anti-air missile. I knew I was next. I had to shake that thought. I dumped my flares and began taking evasive maneuvers as rifle fire pecked the bottom of my plane. The next thing I know, the missile lock alarm is blaring. I did not have enough time to react, only a few seconds, I shot my final volley of flares, but it was not in time. We took a hit to the nose of the plane. All the electronics were freaking out, along with my copilot. I had to get us close to the ground as fast as possible. I put the plane into a full dive to the ground and pulled up with only a few hundred feet separating us from the earth. We pulled our ejector seats, and it was at this time I realized I had a piece of shrapnel in my stomach. 

Following this incident, I was rushed to the army hospital, where they assessed me. After deciding to remove the shrapnel, the doctor was able to get a better look. He told me I would need to have emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and had to get a colostomy as my colon was shredded to pieces like string cheese.

Obviously, after hearing this, anyone would be devastated as I was. I knew what a colostomy bag was, and I had buddies with them. I feared my chances of being a pilot were out the window but was relieved when the doctor told me I could resume my flying with a benefit. I did not ever have to worry about holding my bowel movements as I was flying. This put a smile on my face, and a bit of a chuckle came out. When I got back to work after some physical therapy, I came to find out my doctor was right; it is nice carrying a bathroom with me in a tiny plane.

My life as a pilot has been changed because of my accident, but I am relieved I can still fly, and I am alive today. It is an odd feeling doing the maneuvers we do and feeling the liquid in my bag moving around, kind of gross, honestly, but I will get used to it in time. Because of my efforts in saving my copilots’ life, i got a medal of honor. I am not too proud of that medal as it reminds me of one of the worst days of my life.

How is Life with Ileostomy? – Care Guide You Might Need at Home

An ileostomy is a kind of ostomy surgery. It happens as a result of an incision of the ileum. It is a part of the intestine, called the small intestine. When there is a serious disease or infection in the small intestine, then a patient needs an ileostomy. It appears on the upper left side of the tummy. It usually excretes a thin or liquid form of stool. When a person is unable to pass the stool to the colon and you cannot have a normal bowel movement, then you will have to go through ileostomy surgery. It does not pass the liquid form of poop to the colon. It will directly allow the waste to exit the body from the opening, called a stoma. Therefore, your anus will go to rest for a few months or the rest of the life. This means that ileostomy can be permanent and temporary. It depends on the case of the patient. Usually, ileostomy surgery is permanent. However, a kind of it, called j-pouch or k-pouch surgery is temporary. In these cases, doctors create an internal pouch at the point of the small intestine and large intestine meet up. It collects all the waste from the stomach, then passes it out through the natural path. However, this is temporary, after the healing of the primary disease, the surgeon removes the internal pouch.

Why and When an Ileostomy Becomes Necessary?

Well, the ileostomy occurs as a result of an injury, infection, cancer, IBD, or any other serious disease in the small intestine. When the ileum is unable to pass the liquid form of stool, then the body needs surgery. In such cases, the small intestine directly passes the stool to the opening in the belly wall. Thus, the other parts of the digestive system get time for healing. When the disease recovers, surgeons reverse the process of ileostomy and closes the hole of the belly wall. Moreover, as a result of an accident that blocks the ileum or colon, usually, doctors have to create an artificial opening in the belly wall, called a stoma. It is round in shape and appears on the usual left side of the belly button. It always releases the liquid form of the stool. In case of solid for, you need to consult the doctor.

Ileostomy Stoma Care

The first care you will get for your stoma is from the nurse at the hospital. Well, an ostomate will have to learn about the caring procedure of the ostomy at the clinic. Once you are at home, you will have to take care of yourself on your own. Well, a person will need the support and care of family members. But, still, you should know how to change the pouch and when to change it. Therefore, first, learn about the shape and kind of stoma you have had. Then, you should know the difference between the normal and abnormal shapes of the opening. Also, learn how you will identify, either your stoma is healthy or unhealthy. Moreover, sometimes your doctor recommends you to have a special diet. Thus, an ostomate should follow the special prescription regarding food.

Moreover, an ileostomy patient will excrete the liquid stool three to four times a day. It depends on the diet you are following. Thus, a person should know when to change the pouching system. As the ileostomy releases the liquid form; thus, you should know which type of adhesive you require. Well, the low-quality adhesive will cause leakage and it can create infection on the peristomal skin. The skin around the opening should be dry. Therefore, change your stoma bag when you feel the discharge.

Else, you can perform all your daily activities and enjoy your personal life the way you spend before the ileostomy.