What you need: your usual ostomy appliance (colostomy, ileostomy, or urostomy) and your STOMAGUARD stoma protector. That's it. No tools, no adhesives, no extra straps.
The guide below covers the fitting steps, the mistakes we see most often, and when it's time to replace the shield. If anything's unclear, get in touch on WhatsApp and we'll walk you through it.
Before you start
Give yourself a couple of minutes somewhere quiet with a mirror handy (the bathroom works). Wash and dry your hands. Have your STOMAGUARD nearby on a clean surface, neoprene strip facing up so you're ready to pick it up the right way round.
Step-by-step fitting
- Fit your appliance as normal. Apply your stoma bag the way you always do. Make sure the flange is seated flat, there's a good seal all the way round, and nothing's puckered. STOMAGUARD doesn't change any part of your normal routine, the pouch goes on first.
- Orient the shield. Hold STOMAGUARD with the neoprene strip facing your body and the flat outer shell facing outward. The curve of the shield matches the curve of your abdomen. If it doesn't seem to want to sit flat, you've probably got it the wrong way up.
- Position it over the pouch. Line the shell up so it sits centred over the stoma, with the bag tucked inside the cavity of the guard. Don't force it. It should feel like a natural fit, with a little room around the pouch.
- Clip it into place. Press the guard gently but firmly against your body until you feel the clip engage. You'll hear or feel a small click. Run a finger around the full edge to check the neoprene strip is flush against your skin, with no gaps or pinched pouch material.
- Check the feel. Stand up, sit down, bend forward, reach up. The guard should stay put and feel secure without digging in anywhere. If something pinches, shifts, or creates a cold spot, unclip and try again at a slightly different angle.
- Dress as you normally would. The shield sits low-profile under most clothing. A loose t-shirt, shirt, or jumper hides it completely. Snug sportswear might show a faint outline, which is normal and no one else will clock it.
Common mistakes
- Upside down. By far the most common slip. If the neoprene strip is at the top, flip the shield. Strip sits at the bottom, against your body, under the pouch.
- Off-centre. If the stoma isn't roughly central in the guard, the clip may engage but the protection won't be even. Unclip, recentre, try again.
- Pouch material trapped under the neoprene. Creates a small fold that can leak over time. Run a finger around the edge after clipping: the strip should touch skin all the way round, not plastic.
- Fitted over a tired appliance. The shield doesn't save a pouch that's about to fail. If your flange is nearing the end of its life, change it first, then fit STOMAGUARD over the fresh one.
- Too much force. If you're pressing hard to get the clip to engage, something's wrong. Back off, check alignment, and try again. It should click with a gentle push.
Tips from long-term wearers
- Fit the shield just after changing your appliance, when everything is clean and dry. It's the easiest moment to get the alignment right.
- If you drive a lot, keep a spare shield in the glovebox. If the one you're wearing ever fails, you've got a backup within arm's reach.
- Warm the neoprene strip briefly between your hands in cold weather. It sits more snugly that way in winter.
Removing and cleaning
To take it off, simply unclip and lift away. Rinse under warm water with a mild, skin-safe soap. A soft cloth is fine for the outer shell; avoid abrasive scouring pads. Air dry fully before refitting. Don't put STOMAGUARD through a dishwasher, a washing machine, or near bleach, as you'll damage the neoprene strip and possibly warp the shell.
When to replace your STOMAGUARD
Looked after properly, a single STOMAGUARD will last a long time. That said, keep an eye out for:
- Any visible crack, chip, or warp in the outer shell.
- The neoprene strip coming away from the frame, tearing, or going permanently flat.
- The clip no longer giving a confident click when you fit it.
- A persistent bad smell that won't wash out (rare, but worth replacing for hygiene).
If any of those show up, message us. We'll check a quick photo and recommend whether you need a replacement.
If something still doesn't feel right
Every body is different. If the fit's wrong or uncomfortable after a genuine effort, stop wearing it and drop us a message on WhatsApp with a quick photo. We'll help troubleshoot, and if it genuinely isn't right for you, we'll sort a solution.