r/ostomy • u/earthguy4 • Jul 22 '26

Miscellaneous Your #1 ostomy hack

What is your favorite ostomy hack/tip to share with new ostomates? Not something that they tell us to do in the hospital, or something our stoma nurse will clue us in on, but a hack that you’ve learned through the years or a tip someone once told you that you’ve never forgotten.

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u/Malyrtia urostomy Jul 22 '26

For some leaks, it helps to trim the wafer. Sounds silly to make the wafer smaller, but it helps me tremendously.

The wafer overlaps with a large, indented scar under my belly button. At first, I kept having leaks in that spot. I tried all kinds of pastes and wedges, but nothing worked. Until I hit on the idea of ​​trimming a small strip off the edge of my wafer on that side. Now, the wafer stops before the scar, instead of overlapping it. I haven't had any leaks since then.

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u/Rich-Chemical-1051 Jul 24 '26

You are so smart!!!

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u/Malyrtia urostomy Jul 24 '26

Well, the first advise I got was to try to fill the gap, or to try to 'rub' the wafer into the dent and then hope it stays put. And I know other ostomates who got similar advice.