Our March 24 Calgary Ostomy meeting was an incredibly informative and engaging session, thanks to Pete Williams, Territory Manager with Convatec, who organized a fantastic presentation for our group. Pete brought in NSWOC Christie Kristo via Zoom to present “Optimizing Convexity in Ostomy Care with Convatec’s Esteem Body® with Leak Defense™.” Christie walked us through how convexity can improve pouching outcomes and help reduce leaks, while also introducing Convatec’s latest soft convexity innovations. It was a great opportunity for attendees to ask questions and connect with others in our local ostomy community.

Common leakage issues that Christie mentioned included changes in stoma size or shape affecting fit, dips and wrinkles in the skin, improper appliance application, and skin irritation that can reduce adhesion. Diet can also play a role, as watery output may increase the risk of leaks. Other challenges like “pancaking” (when output collects around the stoma) or ballooning from trapped gas can also compromise the seal and lead to leakage. For tips from Convatec on preventing leakage, visit their helpful guide here: https://www.convatec.com/en-sg/ostomy-care/me-hub-main-page/everyday-life-top-10-tips-for-preventing-stoma-bag-leakages/. We also recommend consulting an NSWOC (ostomy nurse) about ostomy leakage or any issues you may be facing.

Christie was a wonderful resource for those of us dealing with challenges related to our appliances. I was especially interested to learn something new about the ongoing granuloma issue on my stoma—it may actually be linked to an autoimmune cause, which wasn’t surprising for me given my dual diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis and Multiple Sclerosis. Moments like that really highlight the value of these meetings.

The presentation also introduced Convatec’s Esteem Body® with Leak Defense™ and explored how convexity can play a key role in reducing leaks. Pete provided a hands-on look at the differences in sizing and depth of convex flanges, which helped bring the concepts to life. He also brought samples from Convatec’s full product line and took the time to answer a wide range of questions—from product selection to the mechanics of emptying bags—sharing practical tips to improve everyday use. I always find our meetings especially valuable because they offer insights that often go beyond what is covered by our surgeons. It’s a helpful reminder that addressing ongoing challenges sometimes means looking beyond your immediate healthcare team and exploring additional resources and expertise.

Support can come from many places—groups like Calgary Ostomy, as well as manufacturers like Convatec, which offers the me+ Patient Support program. I was impressed to learn that this program connects patients with NSWOCs who work closely with those in Alberta hospitals, helping to ease the burden on the healthcare system while providing much-needed support. Living with an ostomy can feel isolating at times, but accessing these kinds of resources really helps remind me that I’m not alone.

This meeting was also our first time using a new venue, held in Vice President Deanna Desramaux’s condo lounge. The space worked well, with convenient street and parkade parking and a large TV that made it easy to set up a hybrid meeting. There had been some uncertainty about the strength of the Wi-Fi connection, so the hybrid option wasn’t initially offered publicly—but it performed well during the session. As a result, the upcoming April 19 meeting featuring Hollister will be available both in person and over Zoom. The room was also very affordable to book at $60, making it a promising option moving forward, although it remains to be seen how well it will support future plans for monthly “Ostomy Discovery Day” events.

A big thank you goes to Pete at Convatec for organizing this session, to Deanna for coordinating the venue, and to Gerald and Sharon Sheen for providing refreshments.

For more information about these amazing services from Convatec, visit: