Being positive is a state of mind, and I agree, losing part of your body takes time. I think I got used to it after 2 years, which isn’t the same as dealing with it. At that time, I still had trouble going out in public away from my home restroom. After 5 years, I realized I am OK. Above all, I am grateful that I am alive. Everyone deals with things on their own time and in their own way. I went back to work, and that helped, although I’m always afraid of an accident even though I haven’t had one. 🙄. Always push out the negative thoughts, share your story (it helps, and there is nothing to be ashamed of) and be happy you made it through!
I went in for a simple surgery to fix a pinched nerve in my back, the surgeon cut into my bowel, it took 4 days to realize this, I ended up in the ER in full septic shock. 3 surgeries later I am now blessed with and ostomy bag, I that God every day that it’s temporary and will be reversed in a few months. Your videos have been so helpful as I got sent home with a box of bags and nothing else. They didn’t tell me anything about what I would need, or any pertinent information. Thank God for people like you. ♥️
I wish I had found your channel 7 months ago! Very helpful info. I recently have been dealing with pancaking where before it never really happened. Now I rotate between filtered and unfiltered ostomy bags. I also seem to have ballooning with the unfiltered bag. I have only 1 1/2 months to go before I have my reversal. I also had difficulty with clothing as the stoma is right where my waistband is. I discovered maternity pants made a big difference. Thanks for all the great tips!
Thanks! All this is still good information today. I found that clothing choices, increasing fiber, and staying hydrated are the best ways to avoid pancaking for me. Doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone, but it might be places for people to start experimenting. I’m less than 9 months into this ostomy thing, but I’ve been pretty lucky so far. I have a colostomy, and I’ve tried the air thing, filter thing, toilet paper thing, lubricant thing, changed the type of appliance I used, and even tried olive oil in addition to lubricant. None of it really worked well until I figured out why pancaking was happening for me. My stoma is rather low on my left side, just below my navel. I’m a petite person and a paraplegic, so I’m sitting most of the time. My pouch would hit the top of my leg and get tangled up in my clothing, and this definitely was a problem! So, because I have a colostomy, I switched to a closed-end, mini pouch. Because it’s so much smaller in length and volume, these pouches seem to allow gravity to work better and stool doesn’t get forced back up and get stuck. I think it also matters where you os is located. My os is at 6:00, so pointing directly down instead of in the middle like all the lovely ostomy images we are all shown post op. I have to cut a bit of the wafer at the bottom - even on my precuts - to make sure the stool has an easy exit path. I found that if I wear higher waisted jeans, slacks, or yoga pants with higher waisted underwear, I can help gravity along - but it’s tricky. Yeah, as if finding professional, consistently sized women’s clothing for a wheelchair user wasn’t enough of a challenge, lol. This is what I mean: if I can get the waistband of my pants or skirt to come just to the top of my stomach, it’ll help push stool down the pouch. If the waistband is at stoma level or lower, I get a ton of pancaking because the waistband impedes the flow of material down. Wearing compression garments works well too, but they have to be at that magic height or they’ll make the problem worse. Finally, staying hydrated and consuming the right type of fiber is really, really important for me. My body’s natural rhythm is to produce stool only once a day or two, so I have to make sure I don’t get a blockage. Psyllium helps a lot, but so does maintaining the right level of hydration. I have had to use laxatives once or twice, but it seems to resolve itself as long as I pay attention to what I eat and drink. I can’t give up coffee, though. I just can’t. I’ve tried but I’m too addicted. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to let people know that all your advice here is still very relevant and helpful and to explain how I’ve changed my own ostomy routines to address the issue. Thank you again for such great, honest, and practical information. Stay well.
Very good advice, thanks for sharing 👍 I'm an illeostomate with the same issues your having! I have a retracted stoma that points down to the six o'clock position & have found it difficult to find appliances that suit & not cause skin irritation, pancaking or ballooning!! For me staying hydrated us a massive issue!! If I don't I'm in trouble 🙄
Your videos are so helpful. I’m almost six weeks out from surgery and must learn to get along with my ostemy as it’s going to with me the rest of my life. Thank you so much.
Me to Sheryl! I haven’t found the right bag for me yet! I seem to like something about each but haven’t felt this is the one. Having some skin issues with the adhesive with Coloplast.
I hope you don't struggle for very long! Please try to get in touch with a stoma nurse who can help to troubleshoot things. But if it's a matter of coping, then that comes with time and a few tweaks to our perspective. Have a wonderful day 😀
I lost my bladder and uterus in May after a lifetime of reconstructive surgery, catheters, chronic pain, etc. I knew physically what I was up against, but I had no idea about the psychological aspect. Its been very hard. You are not alone. Take care.
It is not easy for sure but personally I would rather have that than have an ostomy bag. When I was 50 Years old I woke up in ICU with an ostomy because my bowel had burst. it took me a long time to adjust and I lived alone so it was easier in some ways. Just love yourself and give yourself lots of time to adjust
@@VeganOstomy , I’m getting my stoma within the next couple weeks ~ after insurance authorization ~ your videos are helpful. I’m terrified and hopeful as I’m down to 110 pounds ( UC and rectal prolapse ) not healthy enough for rectum removal. I’m hoping I don’t need it after my stoma 🌟 thank you again !
Thank you....always wondered what the included stickers were for. Have had a colostomy for almost 4 years and pancakeing has been a common problem. After using the stickers for part of the time while wearing my ostomy bag, I find it has solved the problem. Using them for yard sale price markers in now off my list!
On the pancaking when I was in the hospital a nurse took a cup of water and pour it down the pouch after emptying out and rinse the inside out and after emptying the contents out put the lubricant in the pouch along with a little water and that helped
I do this often by keeping a special bottle of water near my toilet. It does help to clean things out and I prefer to do it when my output is especially "sticky".
wow thank you! I've been struggling with a vacuum problem since my op 2 years ago. I didn't know what those little plastic tabs were for. Your videos have helped me immensely. Thank you thank you thank you!
Thank you for sharing your life and tips it has helped me to be a better mom for my teenage son who has been battling Crohns for 13 1/2 years and has gastropresais and has a ilio pouch for almost 4months and having a very hard time with it your videos have helped thank you
I wish you and your son well, Claressa. Being a teenager is difficult enough, but it sounds like you've been supporting him along the way, which is so awesome!
I Try Spraying cooking oil inside the bag and initially did not have great success but I'm getting the hang of it and it's much better thank you so much I would never have thought of that. Your website is a Life saver I wish I had seen it Years earlier. I have had an ostomy for 14 years
I bough a carbou ostomy bags last week on Amazon, after having a horrible month trying to keep the coloplast bags with out leeking and bern so desperate because I work in a restaurant I found out that Amazon sell differen brands. THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING PURCHASE NO LEEKINGS AFTER BEEN CHANGING 3 or 4 times a day with the Coloplast ones. The reviews on Amazon are AMAZING
10 weeks out post-op. Pancaking is an issue for sure. My ostomy nurse is getting different sample pouches to try. I have a leak in the same area. I think is just the lay of the skin. After 20+ surgeries there isn't much to work with. Stoma placement was kind of difficult. I had my first colorectal surgery in 2004. I was put on Miralax every day for life. I thought maybe after this colostomy I would be able to get off of it. HA! It has still been a huge help to have it each morning in my coffee. I have dealt with pancaking and the membrane not fitting properly to my scarred up stomach. Going into month 3 of trying other products. I had to give up teaching when I develop fecal incontinence. I still do not foresee myself returning to my career again. Thank you so much for a plethora of informative videos. Just what I needed!
Thank you for your tips. I have a lot of problems with pancaking. I will definitely try some of your suggestions. I do push it down away from my stoma. I will definitely get a squirt bottle. And try maybe a lubricant. My leaks are usually when I'm sleeping at night. I hate having to get up in the middle of the night all wet and have to change my bag. Thank you again!!
Thanks for all of your videos, they are very helpful and informative. I have had my Ostomy for just over 1 year and so I have tried numerous products to try and come up with the best system for myself. Lately I have decided Hollister pouches with filter are pretty much useless for me and actually contribute to pancaking as the filter is located in such a manner that my output hangs up on it making it almost impossible to slide down the pouch. At this time I am trying to find a better Lubricant as the Brava by Coloplast does not live up to it's advertising. I have taken up my issues with Coloplast but really felt they discounted my findings and opinion. I was told by the rep how to apply the lubricant and was given wrong information and I brought it to her attention by referring their own instructions on the bottle. The lubricant just doesn't adhere to the inside of the pouch and ends up at the bottom with in one or two minutes of application rendering useless as a lubricant. Brava by Hollister works better and yet it disappears to the bottom within about ten minutes. The difference between the two companies is, Hollister listens to my concerns pays attention to the findings of my simple tests and usually insists on sending some sort of free samples to keep me happy, with Coloplast I felt like I wasn't important and they just simply passed me off. While I am not contacting them with my concerns just to get free samples, at least when they are offered it makes me feel like I am important to their company. T this point if I were to rate the two products, Brava would receive a 3 and Adapt a 7.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Brian. I'm surprised that the Coloplast customer service was so negative - they are usually very good in this regard. I may have to order some of the Adapt lubricating deodorant :)
I am 3 weeks post-op with an ileostomy bag, temporary, doctor said he will reverse it in 3-6 months. My wound care nurse has been very helpful but since I was discharged from the hospital, I’ve been struggling with leaks. I’ve been patiently trying to find out why. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos, I am learning a lot.
Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to try the Kleenex thing. I have pancaking, even though I use bags without the filters. I quit using those because I would have stuff oozing out of the filter-seriously disgusting. Hollister said they had never heard of that before, but it happened so many times, I switched to the filterless. Pancaking hasn't stopped though. I've tried different bags, systems, etc. also. I also use the water bottle rinsing, each time I empty, because I just feel my bag and stoma are much cleaner that way. I have seen no issue with how long the bag/wafer stays on.
+nmtsaki Good luck! I'm surprised you've had leaking through the filter on the Hollister bags, since those filters are covered by a membrane that's water and oil resistant. But I can't say you're the only one who's had that happen - it does happen.
I lubricate my pouch with a dry silicone spray lubricant and allow the spray to dry before using the pouch. Another suggestion is to fold a square of toilet tissue and place over your stoma, wedged against edge of pouch. This prevents filter vacuum but also enables you to grab the tissue in order to clear output.
I'm interested in the silicone spray. Is it designed for personal use or is it something like a bike chain dry lube? Stuffing toilet paper in the pouch does definitely helps to reduce pancaking caused by the vacuum effect. Great tips.
Great tips. I never thought about the filter causing the vacuum effect I've been experiencing. I'll have to try using the filter stickers & see if it helps. The water bottle trick sounds helpful, too. Thanks for the video.
I've had this issue for quite awhile and didn't know it had a name and others suffering with it also. Right now, I'm trying baby oil and a puff of air and this allows the solids to be pushed down. Thank you for your videos.
I seen one of ur videos where you talked about stoma blockages due to eating too much @ once & not chewing food enough.& how u were in the hospital for days with ur stomach getting pumped. Am not able 2 find video & desperately needed 2 show my husband. He not Understanding why after surgery Intestines blockages r still possible. Thank u for helping.
@@VeganOstomy I've been on pd dialysis also for the past 2 years and due to a case of diverticulitis and becoming impacted, I had to have my ostomy. I lost my pd catheter and am now on hemodialysis. But the doctors are hopeful that after a few months, they may be able to reverse my stoma. Due to your video, I have found some products to help with the pancaking. Just wanted you to know how sometimes, if you only reach 1 person, you have accomplished a great deal. God bless!
I found your Content about 6 months ago and I wish I had known about you years ago I learned more from you than I have learned from medical professionals. I think it is one of those cases and Unless you've gone through it it is hard to relate To. Great 👍 content
Thank you for your calm, practical advice on all things stoma! I have tried all the suggested ways to resolve pancaking, caused by the vacuum effect of the pouch, without success. I'm now trying stoma bridges, which I have heard can be a solution. The problem is, they are difficult to get in place. Would you consider reviewing them, so that we can get a real-time view of how to put them in place?
Thank you for the comment. I have no experience with stoma bridges, so it's not something I'd feel comfortable talking about. If you do end up having better luck with them, could you let me know?
That’s a problem for me! It doesn’t cause leaking of my bag except just around where the flange meets the stoma. I have only had a colostomy for a little over a month. Thanks so much!
Thanks for your video….Had colostomy abt one & half months back & had my first experience of leakage due to pancaking…..a rather upsetting event….hope that with your tips either there would be no pancaking….or even if there is I shall be able to avoid leakage 😊😊😊😊😊
I just had my colostomy surgery on Tuesday and have a huuge issue with pancaking. But that was some solid advice, I'll try that in the next bag change. Thanks!
I hope that your surgery went well! Things will settle and be more consistent for you over the next month and beyond, so don't feel too discouraged right now. Good luck!
@@VeganOstomy thank you very much! My main problem right now is that I am experiencing severe cramps and pain every time my stoma outputs something. I hope that will settle soon
My pancaking is my fault…… I had Dr.s appointments yesterday and so not enough water and a laxative for the morning ( I did neither 🤦♀️) so I was trying to get some and you did help me a lot…..thank you for the information .❤️❤️
Yup my bag fell off!! In a cinema!! LOL oh the joys right! It was amazingly un upsetting (I think I just made that word up?!) no one else noticed I scooched off to the toilet and just dealt with it. I was only 2 weeks post op and surprised how little it phased me. I found drinking more (like you say) dealt with it.
Did you have an emergency ostomy kit with you? I can't imagine being in that situation without one! Sounds like you handled it like a champ! Hope you didn't miss too much of the movie :o
LOL well, yes and no! I had all the supplies I needed for a leak and a spare top but no spare leggings or jeans which of course were covered all around the waist band! I am a wheelchair user so took myself off to the toilet and did my very best at a clean up job! Fortunately I had an air freshener on me so I heavily sprayed my jeans with that to mask the smell but my husband said even before I changed he couldn't smell anything and he was sat right next to me. I reckon at least we got that out the way nice and early! I didn't have to wait long for the 'big public leak' and I know I can handle it. I also got 6 new pairs of leggings out of it and have scraped my jeans so it really wasn't all bad! haha! I think with all things, humour is key! oh and Paddington was wonderful! My daughter ADORES Paddington bear as she loves London (all my hospital care is up there) and she watches the really old original Paddingtons so to her the film was just marvellous! It was lovely to be well enough just 2 weeks post op to go to the cinema 20 minutes away from our small town. It was a huge moment for us!
Actually I give you kudos that you were at the movies only two weeks after your surgery! I could barely get out of bed so really good for you! Ya, this kind of shit (no pun intended) will happen to probably about everyone but you deal with it. You live and learn and it also comes with learning your body and eating habits really. You will find out what foods will pancake and those that won't.
JRO123 I live with a chronic pain disease so am in pain every hour of every day, it's the first thing I feel in the first few moment of consciousness before you open your eyes in the morning and it's the last thing I feel before I go to sleep so I think I was able to deal with the post surgery pain because pain is such a big part of my life anyway. Although is can be incredibly draining and I won't lie simply hideous at times it does work in my favour when I have things like a surgery to contend with as I have all the tools in pain toolbox to deal with it!! In terms of life in general I decide which things are worth the extra pain and then live with the fallout confident that I was the one who made the decision to commit to it. Hopefully that makes sense!! Just typing it made me think it's probably a subject worth a film for my channel. It's been a really long time since I posted as I've been busy and exhausted so perhaps this is a good subject to get going with again!! My daughter is obsessed with London (we live a three hour train ride away but all my hospital care is in London and so she doesn't associate it with stress and anxiety whenever we took her we always made sure we did super fun things so going to London for my medical appointment was actually a minor part of the trip, in her eyes we were going to London to do all these fun things and I just happened to have an appointment, not the other way round!) and as a result loved Paddington Bear long before the film came out so when it did come out I knew it was going to be something I needed to invest extra 'pain tokens' or 'spoons' (from the spoon theory) in because seeing her happy mesmerised popcorn munching face would be what I remembered not how much pain I was in. :-) Having said all that I have to go in sometime this year (my surgeon is pushing for sooner but I would rather 'later' simply because in total I spent 7 weeks in hospital last year and I just wanted a few months with no hospitals and no surgery!) to have my entire colon removed and I doubt anything would get me to the movies 2 weeks after that surgery! This has turned into a huge reply! If you're still reading I hope you haven't aged too much from when you began reading! ;-) Blessings Clo (oh, p.s I thought the cinema leak was a big public leak but this was nothing compared to what I went through during a trip to Disneyland Pairs 2 weeks ago! I've written about it on one of the other videos! Now I REALLY have had my first major public stoma defiance! Ha! )
Clobo Hello Clobo. I would love to talk to you one on one to be able to understand eacheother and I could hope full help you thru this hardship. If you don't want to do that there is a great on line site by the name of Inspire www.inspire.com/groups/ostomy/discussion/skin-issue-under-my-stoma/?page=last. They are wonderful to work with to find answers to questions and for you to help them with their questions. Everyone works in different ways, so even though you can watch these videos it may not be right for you. You have to find your own way of this life and we are here to help. Just let me know and I would love to help even talk to you one on one. Just email me at loves-pets@hotmail.com.
Thanks for the tips and tricks because what you call PANCAKING i have recently suffered from i.e. consuming Porridge cause pancaking as it is a thick gooey food but i though full of fibre yet it is my most favourite food yum love porridge YES your tips will hopefully help! me yes cover my gas release and applying certain greases :)
just tried the convatec esteem+ v416746u . this is a one piece pre cut convex appliance. The bag was horrible for vacuum and pancaking effects. The walls of the bag are very thin and collapse easily. Plus it has that dreadful basic convatec filter that just doesnt work at all. I definitely prefer the esteem+ flex appliance v421619u (now if only they had a separate tape protector for the outer ring. that flex material instantly bonds on contact.)
I have had my illeostomy for 36 years with no additional surgeries and have a couple of tips. First, if you would wear jockey shorts you can tuck the closing end of the pouch under the leg opening of the shorts on the pouch side eliminating any movement of the pouch. Then to give a little extra spacing between the pouch and wafer at the top plus help to keep a slight amount of pressure on the wafer seal put a rolled up pad of either tp or paper towel under the pouch in that space at the top. Tucking your shirt or undershirt over all of that will stay most secure without the aid of extra belts or tape. Also try to keep your pants waist and belt above the closure at the top. I get at least a weeks wear out of each appliance using these methods. The pad under the pouch also can prevent a leak from soiling yourself till you can get to a restroom.
I was told to never eat the skin of an apple or a cucumber since I have an Ileostomy and worry about a blockage. I put in a lubricant from Hollister but not each time I empty my pouch. I change my barrier and pouch every other day. I have inconsistent output. I just follow what my Stoma Nurse says. Just strange since my surgery was a year and a half ago and I always have issues. I am very short waisted and gained weight so I have 5 layers at my waist when dressed. I do not think there is an answer. Thank you fir your videos. It seems to be simple for you but I continue to have issues. I may always have issues.
Susan, we're often told not to eat certain things after surgery, but most ostomates should be able to return to their regular diet without a problem (unless there are other health concerns that haven't been addressed). Our output can also be inconsistent because our diet (what, when, and how much we eat) can vary from day to day. We have to learn how to adapt to this new reality and make the best of it when we can. Always speak with your nurse if you're having ongoing trouble.
Thank you buddy really appreciate your video really helpful I recently had an ostomy put in 3 weeks ago and it's been a huge change for me it's very hard to get used to something different always comes up and I just get lost, you don't know how much your video's help me and answer questions I have. Thank you for taking time in making these video's you are being a blessing and helping many people especially some people who are completely clueless (like me ☺!) 👍👍👍👍👍
May I share this on my FB page, you have explained this better than I ever could, thanks I wear Dansac Novalife convex but have problems with ballooning
I do too have pancaking issues. I’m two weeks post op with a colonoscopy. I’m having a hell of a time with leakage. What is your opinion on psyllium husk? (Metamucil) I’m supposed to eat a low residue diet with some fiber introduced. Can you comment on that please?
I sometimes have issues with the flange not sticking properly. If you've have got any suggestions on how to prevent this issue from happening, it would be much appreciated.
See if this video gives you some ideas: ruclips.net/video/lEIcbajxDbY/видео.html also check out the article that goes with it as there are many more things to explore when it comes to the wafer not sticking.
Thank you for these tips. I have a question that I haven’t seen mentioned on any videos from any channels that I’ve looked at and it is about disposal. Especially for closed bags. Where do you put them? So that they don’t smell the entire house up until you empty the garbage. Does everybody have a diaper pail?Any tips or hints because a normal plastic bag does not cover the smell. Thank you
There are ostomy specific disposal bags, that are basically thick ziploc bags. I use the disposal bags that come with some appliances, but have also used doggie poop bags. Really, anything that can be sealed will be fine until the garbage can be taken out. I've never used a diaper pail system for my ostomy bags, as they are too expensive.
@@VeganOstomy idk, but for some reason it happens, AND ITS SO ANNOYING. :( But it can't be my cat causing it to happen, because he got his claws removed.
I've had my bag puncture only a few times, but it's always happened when the plastic folding end of my Hollister bag (which has sharp edges) presses against my bag. I've stopped this from happening my using a pouch cover. If you can try to find out when/how these holes are being made, I may be able to suggest ways to help prevent it.
All I know is that I probably shouldn't be asking, I've had my ostomy for almost two years and yet I still lack some knowledge of how to take care of my ostomy. 😞I, hope I'm not bothering you, I'm only trying to look for answers.
Eric, again i thank you and i am indebted for your kindness and replying to my situation....thank you, i am really struggling with bags and supplies trying to manage my bag ...i pray i don't have skin problems....i will call my hospital where I had radiation, chemotherapy and and rectal colon tumor removed.....i did it!!!! That's a mouthful and tells you about...i am trying to find some help line geared towards people like me... can i use your services? Everything is by appointments...i will search for a nurse that specializes in my needs...thanks a million Eric
Thank you so much for your help you are truly awesome! Yes I find that pushing it down actually does help with that problem and most of the leaks I experience are generally when I'm sleeping. I also find that even black beans cause blockage and usually get released in abundance like 12 hours after I have them. I guess this is normal though.
Hey, Anthony! Black beans are tough to digest unless you chew really, really well. I only eat canned black beans because they are softer, but they are still more challenging (they once landed me in the hospital with a blockage!).
Oh my gosh is it me or does it seriously hurt when we pancake! It feels like such a pressure behind it and all of a sudden it’s panacaked everywhere. Luckily I find I can remove it thankfully. I also suffer with thin output which causes me to suffer often leaks so I can’t really win 😩
My husband has an issue of the stoma, receding inward, not all the way in, just at the surface of the skin. I use the convex wafer, that seems to help. At times even with the convex It recedes. What causes a stoma to recede?
Does this lubricating method help to prevent "vacuuming" in a Urostomy we are having terrible and frequent leaks due to my husband's urostomy bag having this pancaking/vacuuming thing going on. Everything I'm finding talks about thick stools causing the pancaking although I did find a site that mentioned it is rare with urostomies but that it does happen. I'm trying to find out how much baby oil I should try in my husband's urostomy bag to prevent it from sticking to his stoma causing frequent leaks. Any advice would be appreciated these leaks are a strain on our quality of life.
Hey Donna. In the context of a colostomy/ileostomy, the vacuuming effect is usually caused by the filter, which urostomy bags lack. In that case, you can try one of two things because lubricant won't help with vacuuming: add a bit of air to the bag before closing it, this will prevent the suction pressure caused by vacuuming, and should help with the leaks. If you find that the bag still wants to lose air, you can add a wad of toilet paper to help create more space in the bag. With a urostomy, however, I think the wad will become saturated and break down quickly, so I don't know how that will work. Best of luck!
I have a retracted stoma, and I’m having to change the bag sometimes multiple times a day. When I take the bag off, I noticed the barrier ring has already pulled up. It never seems to stick properly. This has resulted in many leaks and it’s getting annoying really quick. Any tips?
Hey Nolan. That sounds frustrating. My first suggestion would be to try another barrier ring (different brand) and see if that helps. When applying the barrier ring, make sure you apply some pressure using your hand to both heat up and make sure the adhesives have some time to bond well. Because you have a retracted stoma, have you been using a convex wafer? Those are usually the go-to product - you may not even need to use a barrier ring. Best of luck to you!
Vegan Ostomy I recently started using hollister convex wafers, but the adhesive would pull up after only a day or so, so I’m switching to Coloplast’s deep convex wafers and hopefully that will do the trick
this pull up of the ring is normal. i also have a flush stoma. if you use a barrier a little larger, (cut hole same size). Use 2 adapt rings (one streached to 1" center) other left normal and squash them together. work them to 1" width ,with center to fit stoma. always use barrier extenders also. you should get 5 days with this, after seal trim from moisture swelling. i use long wooden Q tips.
That's frustrating, Corie. I'm sorry to hear that. Have you wearing a convex appliance? Do you know if the leaks are being caused or made worse by pancaking, or does your stoma "pull in" during bowel movements?
If it's dairy, then I'm not surprised. Dairy often constipates people and it would have a similar effect for ostomies (along with thickening of the output, causing pancaking).
How long has she had a colostomy, and what is her current level of self-care? Is she fully dependent or can she do some things on her own? If you're able to have a stoma nurse do an assessment, they'll be able to sort out the most appropriate products for your mom. That will make things go a lot smoother than experimenting.
Hi I've had my ostomy for 10weeks and have suffered pancakeing my stoma nurse has now changed my pouch and it seems to be doing better know so hopefully the pouch I'm wearing now will be the one we stick to. It does take time to find the right pouch so it can be a little fustrating but we get there in the end. :-)
Question: I was told NOT to eat fruits skins OR whole grain as the remaining intestine won't be able to process. Is that only regarding the first 8 weeks after surgery?
It's pretty standard to tell patients to avoid harder to digest foods after surgery. Many never resume their typical diets, mostly because they were never told to. It is in opinion that once the initial few months following surgery are done, most people should be able to ease into new foods, including fruit a with the skin on and whole grains. Smaller quantities, lots of chewing, and (over)cook to make it easier. Of course, if you have a history of blockages or an ileostomy then it's better to be even more cautious. 👍
I ve had an ostomy for a year now. I have a colostomy .It was a big adjustment but listening to many testimonies of ostomates on you tube has helped tremendously. I have learned a way to avoid pancaking is by using baby oil in the bag after you 've rinsed it with water and a little baking soda helps to minimize odor . i also use a protective sheet . I cut the hole a bit bigger than i do on the base plate . and i stick the donut ring directly on the sticky side of the baseplate and overlap it a bit on the other side in order to make sure it seals it . so first the protective sheet , then the sticky side of baseplate with the ring on it , press hard then add the Brava barrier strip on each side to secure it even more . I haven t had any pancaking for quite a while now ..I would like to know if anyone can give me any ideas on showering .and keeping the bag dry if possible
Thanks for sharing, Jeannine. I do have other videos on showering, including products that can help keep your appliance dry (I.e. shower aprons). Take care.
Hey John, if the pancaking is causing pressure on your wafer (as if it feels like it's pushing either the bag or wafer off) then I would suggest trying to loosen or remove it. Generally speaking, simply moving the stool from the outside of your bag using your hand is enough. You can rinse your bag out to also loosen the output, but I try not to rinse around my stoma as that can increase the risk of leaks.
I have tried everything to stop the pancaking. Is there another type of bag that would.help. I’ve used a Hollister precut 1 1/2 inch for ten years, my stoma grew from one inch to 11/2. I’m desperate. Ty for any advice,
It can be frustrating, for sure. Does your Hollister bag have a filter on it? If so, try to put tape on it and allow some air in your bag to see if that helps. For me, pancaking is worse with certain foods but even more so when the filter on my bag produces a vacuum that stops output from going anywhere. That's one of the reasons why I use bags without filters now.
It can be frustrating, for sure. Does your Hollister bag have a filter on it? If so, try to put tape on it and allow some air in your bag to see if that helps. For me, pancaking is worse with certain foods but even more so when the filter on my bag produces a vacuum that stops output from going anywhere. That's one of the reasons why I use bags without filters now.
Yes, I do that from time to time. Just be mindful of getting too much water around the stoma itself as it could leak through the hole in the barrier. I also find that using warm water is better for me than cold water, since it keeps the stoma from contracting. Take care!
To counter pancaking ..... Washing (rinsing) the pouch with water - have you experienced any adverse effect in terms of noticeable reduced life of the flange bond with skin - or leakage through flange (for two piece system) ?
In my experience, provided that warm water is being used and/or the water does not soak the stoma, there should be little to no risk, especially if the wafer is designed for ileostomy output ( usually called "extended wear"). However, it also depends on how long you expect to have the appliance on for. If only for 3 days or less, I would give it a good rinse. But for 7 or more days I will only rinse the bottom half of the bag.
@@VeganOstomy Thanks - that helps. One more doubt though ... are all pouches washable. I suppose they are. My mother uses Coloplast 10386 bag - the pouch for the two piece version. Will this also be washable with the warm water?
@@nandkishorkulkarni3082 That Coloplast 10386 should be fine to rinse, but I would caution getting water up too high as you don't want it to touch the filter, or it might clog the filter or cause it to leak. If you can find one without the filter, then it would be better for rinsing, especially since bags that have filters aren't really made to be worn for longer than a few days.
NEVER USE OIL...EVER!. I learned the hard way believe me. Oil breaks down the seal and disolves the plastic within minutes! Just put 1 or 2 tablespoons of water in the bag. Pancake issue resolved. I have not had a pancaking issue a single time since I started using water. And, the pouch is easier to empty with less mess.
Yikes! What kind of oil were you using? I don't put oil in my bag, but I know many people who do without issue. Of course, you only want enough to coat the bag, but enough where it pools anywhere. Water works great too and is a safer option as far as the bag is concerned 👍
@@VeganOstomy just baby oil. Although i squirted it directly in the bag but only enough to coat it without having excess at the bottom. I guess thats where I went wrong then. Water seems to have done the trick very well as it breaks the pancake up in only a few minutes and it flows smooth through the bag. I have only had my ostomy for four months so far.
The type of baby oil could make a difference too. Many are made with petroleum products, which could break down the wafer quickly. Vegetable oils are better, but water is probably going to be the best all around. 😉
Pancaking is when the stool builds up at the top half of your bag or around your stoma, so there will always be stool. The risk that I often find with pancaking is that because the stool isn't dropping to the bottom of the bag, it may try to push outwards and force the wafer to come off, even slightly. This can result in a leak or blowout. Does that make sense in your case?
Hey there! Thank you for your video! I'm a very new ostomy nurse and have so much to learn :) I wasn't aware that you could rinse all the way to the top of the bag- I assumed it could cause the hydrocoloid to erode. Do you find that this can erode your wafer? Thank you!!
Hi Saman, I suggest having your mother be assessed by a stoma nurse. There can be several reasons for reddness ranging from allergies, to improper removal of the appliance, to leaks, and improper fitting of the appliance. It would need to be looked at to know for sure. Generally speaking, when I have redness around the stoma, it's because I'm either wearing my appliance too long or there are some minor leaks that are irritating the skin. Once I address those, the reddness goes away. Good luck.
Hello everyone: recently i noticed a bulge developing around the stoma..it looks like a volcano shape...my ostomy bag is on my left side..my bag is vertical. .my out is continuous throughout the day in small amounts..i am changing my bag 6 to 8 times a day...i am in habit of flushing my bag whenever I see an output .i am alone ,83 years old, bathroom is available 24/7 ....i will adjust as needed if my lifestyle changes....i thank anyone who comments regarding my concerns
A bulge could indicate a hernia developing behind or around the stoma. I'd get this looked at to confirm. A support binder may be suggested by a nurse to contain a hernia (if present).
I had a problem with a bulging around my stoma and after checking with my doctor i learned that the bulging was not a hernia but colon inside my stomach was pushing against my stoma.....i was told not to worry about it but just keep an on it....i was relieved i did not have hernia but i am perplexed about what organ inside my stomach is causing the area around my stoma to bulge.. Surely, there must be many cases like mine ...if one has a bag ,there a chance of getting a bulge around the stoma, stoma being the center of the bulge at something... has anyone out had experienced a bulge around the stoma???? Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated immensely...thank you so much.
Glad to hear that it's not a hernia. I also have a bulge behind my stoma, so it could be more common than you'd think. Continue to be mindful when doing strenuous activities to help prevent a hernia in the future.
I just don’t understand, I’ve tried everything and my wafer is still eroded within 6 hours? The output won’t fall to the bottom of the bag no matter what I do and my stoma nurse tells me she’s never seen this before!!?? My skin around my stoma is so irritated and itchy I’m up in the night abs changing it 2/3 times a day?
Jennifer, I feel for you. I've been there, trust me, you aren't alone. What appliance are you using and are you using anything else like paste or barrier rings? Do you have a colostomy or ileostomy? Generally speaking, how often are you emptying your appliance? Finally, what's your diet like? That can have a huge impact on if/how "pancaking" affects you.
Tried a little LAXATIVE to thin your stools not too much half of suggested dose as it goes through the intestines quicker than normal output. Or a little Baby oil rubbed inside ya Bag to lubricate and help slide down the bag :)
How does anyone adapt to an ostomy bag without you?? I have learned so much! I will try your pancaking tips, as it is a huge problem for me, and I didn’t know it was common. Emptying my pouch is seriously like trying to hand milk cheese, instead of milk, from a cow! 😂
Yes all videos are very helpful 👍 Just for fun, your comment « trying to hand milk cheese, instead of milk from a cow »….. that’s me at the hospital adamant that I didn’t want a drainable bag. I have a colostomy, and happily using colomagic liners with a closed pouch. I dispose of liners in garbage, havent risked flushing them (I use drainable bags when dealing with diarrhea)
Hi Eric, your video was very insightful as they all are! I notice myself constantly having to push the output down manually all day with my fingertips to help with the pancaking and I notice by doing so that at the top where I'm pancaking, it may be compromising the filter and causing the bag to stink prematurely. Any other new suggestions? Oh and I'm a colostomate btw.
Keeping the filter clean is a challenge, often not worth the effort, but I to do a "sideways squeegee" with the top of my bag between two fingers and can help. Unfortunately, the filter will still become soiled over time, so a bag swap is often needed.
I know I need a Colostomy but I tend to get in a state about things, even though I always self-talk positivity. Don't know how I am going to cope with my poo everywhere.
Different fibre will produce different results, but I do find that certain fiber/foods thicken my output too much, so I reduce them when I'm pancaking. 👍
Being positive is a state of mind, and I agree, losing part of your body takes time. I think I got used to it after 2 years, which isn’t the same as dealing with it. At that time, I still had trouble going out in public away from my home restroom. After 5 years, I realized I am OK. Above all, I am grateful that I am alive. Everyone deals with things on their own time and in their own way. I went back to work, and that helped, although I’m always afraid of an accident even though I haven’t had one. 🙄. Always push out the negative thoughts, share your story (it helps, and there is nothing to be ashamed of) and be happy you made it through!
I went in for a simple surgery to fix a pinched nerve in my back, the surgeon cut into my bowel, it took 4 days to realize this, I ended up in the ER in full septic shock. 3 surgeries later I am now blessed with and ostomy bag, I that God every day that it’s temporary and will be reversed in a few months. Your videos have been so helpful as I got sent home with a box of bags and nothing else. They didn’t tell me anything about what I would need, or any pertinent information. Thank God for people like you. ♥️
Omg!! Thank you so much! Pancaking is definitely my number one issue, especially when the bag flattens and blocks output from slipping down.
I wish I had found your channel 7 months ago! Very helpful info. I recently have been dealing with pancaking where before it never really happened. Now I rotate between filtered and unfiltered ostomy bags. I also seem to have ballooning with the unfiltered bag. I have only 1 1/2 months to go before I have my reversal. I also had difficulty with clothing as the stoma is right where my waistband is. I discovered maternity pants made a big difference. Thanks for all the great tips!
Thanks for watching, Cathy. Best of luck with your reversal!! 😊
Thanks! All this is still good information today. I found that clothing choices, increasing fiber, and staying hydrated are the best ways to avoid pancaking for me. Doesn’t mean it’ll work for everyone, but it might be places for people to start experimenting. I’m less than 9 months into this ostomy thing, but I’ve been pretty lucky so far.
I have a colostomy, and I’ve tried the air thing, filter thing, toilet paper thing, lubricant thing, changed the type of appliance I used, and even tried olive oil in addition to lubricant. None of it really worked well until I figured out why pancaking was happening for me.
My stoma is rather low on my left side, just below my navel. I’m a petite person and a paraplegic, so I’m sitting most of the time. My pouch would hit the top of my leg and get tangled up in my clothing, and this definitely was a problem! So, because I have a colostomy, I switched to a closed-end, mini pouch. Because it’s so much smaller in length and volume, these pouches seem to allow gravity to work better and stool doesn’t get forced back up and get stuck.
I think it also matters where you os is located. My os is at 6:00, so pointing directly down instead of in the middle like all the lovely ostomy images we are all shown post op. I have to cut a bit of the wafer at the bottom - even on my precuts - to make sure the stool has an easy exit path.
I found that if I wear higher waisted jeans, slacks, or yoga pants with higher waisted underwear, I can help gravity along - but it’s tricky. Yeah, as if finding professional, consistently sized women’s clothing for a wheelchair user wasn’t enough of a challenge, lol. This is what I mean: if I can get the waistband of my pants or skirt to come just to the top of my stomach, it’ll help push stool down the pouch. If the waistband is at stoma level or lower, I get a ton of pancaking because the waistband impedes the flow of material down. Wearing compression garments works well too, but they have to be at that magic height or they’ll make the problem worse.
Finally, staying hydrated and consuming the right type of fiber is really, really important for me. My body’s natural rhythm is to produce stool only once a day or two, so I have to make sure I don’t get a blockage. Psyllium helps a lot, but so does maintaining the right level of hydration. I have had to use laxatives once or twice, but it seems to resolve itself as long as I pay attention to what I eat and drink. I can’t give up coffee, though. I just can’t. I’ve tried but I’m too addicted. Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to let people know that all your advice here is still very relevant and helpful and to explain how I’ve changed my own ostomy routines to address the issue. Thank you again for such great, honest, and practical information. Stay well.
Such great information! Thank you for sharing! 😀😀😀
I’m just the opposite. Lots of fluid, but decrease fiber.
Very good advice, thanks for sharing 👍
I'm an illeostomate with the same issues your having! I have a retracted stoma that points down to the six o'clock position & have found it difficult to find appliances that suit & not cause skin irritation, pancaking or ballooning!! For me staying hydrated us a massive issue!! If I don't I'm in trouble 🙄
I wear dresses now and I eat low fibre, high fat meat based meals now so pancaking is a thing of the past for me.
Thank you so much for all your tips! I have my ostomy 3 weeks ago and I have lots of doubts. All your videos are very helpful to me.
I hope you've been recovering well! Thanks for watching!
Your videos are so helpful. I’m almost six weeks out from surgery and must learn to get along with my ostemy as it’s going to with me the rest of my life. Thank you so much.
You'll get there, Sheryl! It does get easier with time. Thanks for watching.
Me to Sheryl! I haven’t found the right bag for me yet! I seem to like something about each but haven’t felt this is the one. Having some skin issues with the adhesive with Coloplast.
How do you get rid of the smell?
How are u so positive!? I just lost my bladder and got my bag and I’m struggling so much! Thank u for all your videos!!❤️❤️❤️
I hope you don't struggle for very long! Please try to get in touch with a stoma nurse who can help to troubleshoot things. But if it's a matter of coping, then that comes with time and a few tweaks to our perspective. Have a wonderful day 😀
I lost my bladder and uterus in May after a lifetime of reconstructive surgery, catheters, chronic pain, etc. I knew physically what I was up against, but I had no idea about the psychological aspect. Its been very hard. You are not alone. Take care.
@@casandrabullock9497 you lost your bladder and uterus...... How is that even possible, I feel so bad for you.
It is not easy for sure but personally I would rather have that than have an ostomy bag. When I was 50 Years old I woke up in ICU with an ostomy because my bowel had burst. it took me a long time to adjust and I lived alone so it was easier in some ways. Just love yourself and give yourself lots of time to adjust
I am a new ostomate. Your videos have been extraordinarily helpful to me. I cannot thank you enough!
My pleasure :)
@@VeganOstomy , I’m getting my stoma within the next couple weeks ~ after insurance authorization ~ your videos are helpful. I’m terrified and hopeful as I’m down to 110 pounds ( UC and rectal prolapse ) not healthy enough for rectum removal. I’m hoping I don’t need it after my stoma 🌟 thank you again !
YOU DEFINITELY have the BEST ostomy videos!!!
😂😂😂 Thank you 😁
Thank you....always wondered what the included stickers were for. Have had a colostomy for
almost 4 years and pancakeing has been a common problem. After using the stickers for
part of the time while wearing my ostomy bag, I find it has solved the problem. Using them for
yard sale price markers in now off my list!
On the pancaking when I was in the hospital a nurse took a cup of water and pour it down the pouch after emptying out and rinse the inside out and after emptying the contents out put the lubricant in the pouch along with a little water and that helped
I do this often by keeping a special bottle of water near my toilet. It does help to clean things out and I prefer to do it when my output is especially "sticky".
wow thank you! I've been struggling with a vacuum problem since my op 2 years ago. I didn't know what those little plastic tabs were for. Your videos have helped me immensely. Thank you thank you thank you!
That put a smile on my face. Thank YOU!
Thank you for sharing your life and tips it has helped me to be a better mom for my teenage son who has been battling Crohns for 13 1/2 years and has gastropresais and has a ilio pouch for almost 4months and having a very hard time with it your videos have helped thank you
I wish you and your son well, Claressa. Being a teenager is difficult enough, but it sounds like you've been supporting him along the way, which is so awesome!
Thanks so much for your tips on dealing with pan caking. this has been happing to me for a few months now so any tips are very much appreciated.
+Karen woolfries Good luck, Karen! Pancaking can be really frustrating, but I hope you can solve it!
I Try Spraying cooking oil inside the bag and initially did not have great success but I'm getting the hang of it and it's much better thank you so much I would never have thought of that. Your website is a Life saver I wish I had seen it Years earlier. I have had an ostomy for 14 years
Better late than never :) It's always a learning experience, no matter how long you've had a stoma. Best to you!
I bough a carbou ostomy bags last week on Amazon, after having a horrible month trying to keep the coloplast bags with out leeking and bern so desperate because I work in a restaurant I found out that Amazon sell differen brands. THIS IS THE MOST AMAZING PURCHASE NO LEEKINGS AFTER BEEN CHANGING 3 or 4 times a day with the Coloplast ones. The reviews on Amazon are AMAZING
10 weeks out post-op. Pancaking is an issue for sure. My ostomy nurse is getting different sample pouches to try. I have a leak in the same area. I think is just the lay of the skin. After 20+ surgeries there isn't much to work with. Stoma placement was kind of difficult. I had my first colorectal surgery in 2004. I was put on Miralax every day for life. I thought maybe after this colostomy I would be able to get off of it. HA! It has still been a huge help to have it each morning in my coffee. I have dealt with pancaking and the membrane not fitting properly to my scarred up stomach. Going into month 3 of trying other products. I had to give up teaching when I develop fecal incontinence. I still do not foresee myself returning to my career again. Thank you so much for a plethora of informative videos. Just what I needed!
Good luck, Debra. Sounds life you've had a really rough time. I hope some of these tricks might help to give you at least some relief.
Thank you for your tips. I have a lot of problems with pancaking. I will definitely try some of your suggestions. I do push it down away from my stoma. I will definitely get a squirt bottle. And try maybe a lubricant. My leaks are usually when I'm sleeping at night. I hate having to get up in the middle of the night all wet and have to change my bag. Thank you again!!
Best of luck to you, Laura!
By the way I have a iliostomy. So my stool is a lot like paste.
Mine too! I have very thick output for an ileostomy and it has a lot to do with the foods I eat.
Thanks Eric for your great help....it is so nice to have some one like you to turn to ...thanks
Thanks for all of your videos, they are very helpful and informative. I have had my Ostomy for just over 1 year and so I have tried numerous products to try and come up with the best system for myself. Lately I have decided Hollister pouches with filter are pretty much useless for me and actually contribute to pancaking as the filter is located in such a manner that my output hangs up on it making it almost impossible to slide down the pouch. At this time I am trying to find a better Lubricant as the Brava by Coloplast does not live up to it's advertising. I have taken up my issues with Coloplast but really felt they discounted my findings and opinion. I was told by the rep how to apply the lubricant and was given wrong information and I brought it to her attention by referring their own instructions on the bottle. The lubricant just doesn't adhere to the inside of the pouch and ends up at the bottom with in one or two minutes of application rendering useless as a lubricant. Brava by Hollister works better and yet it disappears to the bottom within about ten minutes. The difference between the two companies is, Hollister listens to my concerns pays attention to the findings of my simple tests and usually insists on sending some sort of free samples to keep me happy, with Coloplast I felt like I wasn't important and they just simply passed me off. While I am not contacting them with my concerns just to get free samples, at least when they are offered it makes me feel like I am important to their company. T this point if I were to rate the two products, Brava would receive a 3 and Adapt a 7.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Brian. I'm surprised that the Coloplast customer service was so negative - they are usually very good in this regard.
I may have to order some of the Adapt lubricating deodorant :)
I am 3 weeks post-op with an ileostomy bag, temporary, doctor said he will reverse it in 3-6 months. My wound care nurse has been very helpful but since I was discharged from the hospital, I’ve been struggling with leaks. I’ve been patiently trying to find out why. Thank you so much for your wonderful videos, I am learning a lot.
Thanks for watching and all the best with your reversal 😀
Thanks for the suggestions, I am going to try the Kleenex thing. I have pancaking, even though I use bags without the filters. I quit using those because I would have stuff oozing out of the filter-seriously disgusting. Hollister said they had never heard of that before, but it happened so many times, I switched to the filterless. Pancaking hasn't stopped though. I've tried different bags, systems, etc. also. I also use the water bottle rinsing, each time I empty, because I just feel my bag and stoma are much cleaner that way. I have seen no issue with how long the bag/wafer stays on.
+nmtsaki Good luck! I'm surprised you've had leaking through the filter on the Hollister bags, since those filters are covered by a membrane that's water and oil resistant. But I can't say you're the only one who's had that happen - it does happen.
@Layton Rowan flixportal :D
@Devon Marshall Thanks, signed up and it seems to work :) I appreciate it !
@Layton Rowan You are welcome :D
I lubricate my pouch with a dry silicone spray lubricant and allow the spray to dry before using the pouch.
Another suggestion is to fold a square of toilet tissue and place over your stoma, wedged against edge of pouch. This prevents filter vacuum but also enables you to grab the tissue in order to clear output.
I'm interested in the silicone spray. Is it designed for personal use or is it something like a bike chain dry lube?
Stuffing toilet paper in the pouch does definitely helps to reduce pancaking caused by the vacuum effect. Great tips.
Great tips. I never thought about the filter causing the vacuum effect I've been experiencing. I'll have to try using the filter stickers & see if it helps. The water bottle trick sounds helpful, too. Thanks for the video.
I've had this issue for quite awhile and didn't know it had a name and others suffering with it also. Right now, I'm trying baby oil and a puff of air and this allows the solids to be pushed down. Thank you for your videos.
+Bee Gianni Good luck! I hope those tips help.
Thanks, I'm working on it.💩💜
Great tips! I'm newly dealing with these issues with a family member. Thank you
You're sweet for taking the time to help. Good luck with everything!
I seen one of ur videos where you talked about stoma blockages due to eating too much @ once & not chewing food enough.& how u were in the hospital for days with ur stomach getting pumped. Am not able 2 find video & desperately needed 2 show my husband. He not Understanding why after surgery Intestines blockages r still possible. Thank u for helping.
Maybe it was this one? ruclips.net/video/ykfSHKUWN8c/видео.html Good luck!
This was a great video. I have recently had an issue with the pancaking and these tips are awesome. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
@@VeganOstomy I've been on pd dialysis also for the past 2 years and due to a case of diverticulitis and becoming impacted, I had to have my ostomy. I lost my pd catheter and am now on hemodialysis. But the doctors are hopeful that after a few months, they may be able to reverse my stoma. Due to your video, I have found some products to help with the pancaking. Just wanted you to know how sometimes, if you only reach 1 person, you have accomplished a great deal. God bless!
It seems to happen to me when I eat the wrong foods or over eat... Mine is very new so this whole thing is a work in progress!
It is and things will likely change and evolve the longer you have it.
I found your Content about 6 months ago and I wish I had known about you years ago I learned more from you than I have learned from medical professionals. I think it is one of those cases and Unless you've gone through it it is hard to relate To. Great 👍 content
Experience helps a lot. Glad you found the channel 🙋♂️
Thank you for your calm, practical advice on all things stoma! I have tried all the suggested ways to resolve pancaking, caused by the vacuum effect of the pouch, without success. I'm now trying stoma bridges, which I have heard can be a solution. The problem is, they are difficult to get in place. Would you consider reviewing them, so that we can get a real-time view of how to put them in place?
Thank you for the comment. I have no experience with stoma bridges, so it's not something I'd feel comfortable talking about. If you do end up having better luck with them, could you let me know?
That’s a problem for me! It doesn’t cause leaking of my bag except just around where the flange meets the stoma. I have only had a colostomy for a little over a month. Thanks so much!
Thank you for the pancaking and gas tips...I think that explains my side blowout this morning...Truly appreciate your videos!!
You're welcome!
this is the really my problem pancaking thats why its leaking i try what u said... thanks
Thanks for your video….Had colostomy abt one & half months back & had my first experience of leakage due to pancaking…..a rather upsetting event….hope that with your tips either there would be no pancaking….or even if there is I shall be able to avoid leakage 😊😊😊😊😊
Good luck! Don't forget to check out the article on pancaking that I linked in the video description. It has more tips 👍
Same here, 1.5 weeks in. Not nice.
OMG Thank you new to this and yes that is exactly what is happening
+Nance Gillies Yay! Glad I could help.
I just had my colostomy surgery on Tuesday and have a huuge issue with pancaking. But that was some solid advice, I'll try that in the next bag change. Thanks!
I hope that your surgery went well! Things will settle and be more consistent for you over the next month and beyond, so don't feel too discouraged right now. Good luck!
@@VeganOstomy thank you very much! My main problem right now is that I am experiencing severe cramps and pain every time my stoma outputs something. I hope that will settle soon
Pains for me did last several weeks, but they subside as time went on. I hope that's soon 🤞😊
God bless you Eric for your helpful videos
My pancaking is my fault…… I had Dr.s appointments yesterday and so not enough water and a laxative for the morning ( I did neither 🤦♀️) so I was trying to get some and you did help me a lot…..thank you for the information .❤️❤️
Just found this video it's bag Chang number 3 tonight. Will try third tricks
I do have a problem with this and you gave me some great things to try thank you
thank you... learning so much
Yup my bag fell off!! In a cinema!! LOL oh the joys right! It was amazingly un upsetting (I think I just made that word up?!) no one else noticed I scooched off to the toilet and just dealt with it. I was only 2 weeks post op and surprised how little it phased me. I found drinking more (like you say) dealt with it.
Did you have an emergency ostomy kit with you? I can't imagine being in that situation without one! Sounds like you handled it like a champ! Hope you didn't miss too much of the movie :o
LOL well, yes and no! I had all the supplies I needed for a leak and a spare top but no spare leggings or jeans which of course were covered all around the waist band! I am a wheelchair user so took myself off to the toilet and did my very best at a clean up job! Fortunately I had an air freshener on me so I heavily sprayed my jeans with that to mask the smell but my husband said even before I changed he couldn't smell anything and he was sat right next to me. I reckon at least we got that out the way nice and early! I didn't have to wait long for the 'big public leak' and I know I can handle it. I also got 6 new pairs of leggings out of it and have scraped my jeans so it really wasn't all bad! haha!
I think with all things, humour is key!
oh and Paddington was wonderful! My daughter ADORES Paddington bear as she loves London (all my hospital care is up there) and she watches the really old original Paddingtons so to her the film was just marvellous! It was lovely to be well enough just 2 weeks post op to go to the cinema 20 minutes away from our small town. It was a huge moment for us!
Actually I give you kudos that you were at the movies only two weeks after your surgery! I could barely get out of bed so really good for you! Ya, this kind of shit (no pun intended) will happen to probably about everyone but you deal with it. You live and learn and it also comes with learning your body and eating habits really. You will find out what foods will pancake and those that won't.
JRO123 I live with a chronic pain disease so am in pain every hour of every day, it's the first thing I feel in the first few moment of consciousness before you open your eyes in the morning and it's the last thing I feel before I go to sleep so I think I was able to deal with the post surgery pain because pain is such a big part of my life anyway. Although is can be incredibly draining and I won't lie simply hideous at times it does work in my favour when I have things like a surgery to contend with as I have all the tools in pain toolbox to deal with it!!
In terms of life in general I decide which things are worth the extra pain and then live with the fallout confident that I was the one who made the decision to commit to it. Hopefully that makes sense!! Just typing it made me think it's probably a subject worth a film for my channel. It's been a really long time since I posted as I've been busy and exhausted so perhaps this is a good subject to get going with again!!
My daughter is obsessed with London (we live a three hour train ride away but all my hospital care is in London and so she doesn't associate it with stress and anxiety whenever we took her we always made sure we did super fun things so going to London for my medical appointment was actually a minor part of the trip, in her eyes we were going to London to do all these fun things and I just happened to have an appointment, not the other way round!) and as a result loved Paddington Bear long before the film came out so when it did come out I knew it was going to be something I needed to invest extra 'pain tokens' or 'spoons' (from the spoon theory) in because seeing her happy mesmerised popcorn munching face would be what I remembered not how much pain I was in. :-)
Having said all that I have to go in sometime this year (my surgeon is pushing for sooner but I would rather 'later' simply because in total I spent 7 weeks in hospital last year and I just wanted a few months with no hospitals and no surgery!) to have my entire colon removed and I doubt anything would get me to the movies 2 weeks after that surgery!
This has turned into a huge reply! If you're still reading I hope you haven't aged too much from when you began reading! ;-)
Blessings
Clo
(oh, p.s I thought the cinema leak was a big public leak but this was nothing compared to what I went through during a trip to Disneyland Pairs 2 weeks ago! I've written about it on one of the other videos! Now I REALLY have had my first major public stoma defiance! Ha! )
Clobo Hello Clobo. I would love to talk to you one on one to be able to understand eacheother and I could hope full help you thru this hardship. If you don't want to do that there is a great on line site by the name of Inspire www.inspire.com/groups/ostomy/discussion/skin-issue-under-my-stoma/?page=last. They are wonderful to work with to find answers to questions and for you to help them with their questions. Everyone works in different ways, so even though you can watch these videos it may not be right for you. You have to find your own way of this life and we are here to help. Just let me know and I would love to help even talk to you one on one. Just email me at loves-pets@hotmail.com.
Thanks for the tips and tricks because what you call PANCAKING i have recently suffered from i.e. consuming Porridge cause pancaking as it is a thick gooey food but i though full of fibre yet it is my most favourite food yum love porridge YES your tips will hopefully help! me yes cover my gas release and applying certain greases :)
Happy to help!
Excellent teaching!!! Thanks and GOD Bless you, this has been very helpful.
Thanks so much I’m very new to my illiostomy and pancaking has been an issue the vidhas helped me so much xxx
You're very welcome! Thank you for watching 😊
just tried the convatec esteem+ v416746u . this is a one piece pre cut convex appliance. The bag was horrible for vacuum and pancaking effects. The walls of the bag are very thin and collapse easily. Plus it has that dreadful basic convatec filter that just doesnt work at all. I definitely prefer the esteem+ flex appliance v421619u (now if only they had a separate tape protector for the outer ring. that flex material instantly bonds on contact.)
+nexusvideo Thanks for sharing that! I never had luck with ConvaTec filters, unfortunately 😣
I have had my illeostomy for 36 years with no additional surgeries and have a couple of tips. First, if you would wear jockey shorts you can tuck the closing end of the pouch under the leg opening of the shorts on the pouch side eliminating any movement of the pouch. Then to give a little extra spacing between the pouch and wafer at the top plus help to keep a slight amount of pressure on the wafer seal put a rolled up pad of either tp or paper towel under the pouch in that space at the top. Tucking your shirt or undershirt over all of that will stay most secure without the aid of extra belts or tape. Also try to keep your pants waist and belt above the closure at the top. I get at least a weeks wear out of each appliance using these methods. The pad under the pouch also can prevent a leak from soiling yourself till you can get to a restroom.
+Lee Frederick Thanks for sharing those tips, Lee!
Awesome tips, thanks so much! ❤
Glad you like them!
@@VeganOstomy
❤️
Thank you. You did help me quite a bit. My mom has a bag now for two days. You taught me so much . Thank you I so much.bi would be lost with out you.
You are so welcome! Good luck with everything with your mom.
You hve been more than heplful. I'm so glad I ran across your site. Thank you for all your tips. A. Lewis
+Ann Lewis Glad you did! Thanks for watching.
I was told to never eat the skin of an apple or a cucumber since I have an Ileostomy and worry about a blockage. I put in a lubricant from Hollister but not each time I empty my pouch. I change my barrier and pouch every other day.
I have inconsistent output. I just follow what my Stoma Nurse says. Just strange since my surgery was a year and a half ago and I always have issues. I am very short waisted and gained weight so I have 5 layers at my waist when dressed. I do not think there is an answer. Thank you fir your videos. It seems to be simple for you but I continue to have issues. I may always have issues.
Susan, we're often told not to eat certain things after surgery, but most ostomates should be able to return to their regular diet without a problem (unless there are other health concerns that haven't been addressed). Our output can also be inconsistent because our diet (what, when, and how much we eat) can vary from day to day. We have to learn how to adapt to this new reality and make the best of it when we can. Always speak with your nurse if you're having ongoing trouble.
Thank you buddy really appreciate your video really helpful I recently had an ostomy put in 3 weeks ago and it's been a huge change for me it's very hard to get used to something different always comes up and I just get lost, you don't know how much your video's help me and answer questions I have. Thank you for taking time in making these video's you are being a blessing and helping many people especially some people who are completely clueless (like me ☺!) 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for your comment, Richard. We all started a little clueless, but it gets easier and you'll be a pro in no time :)
Thank you! Video is very helpful...
Thank you for this video.
I can't thank you enough for these suggestions. I think the vacuum issue is at play for me. Fingers crossed that the stickers and some lube solve it.
Yes, thank you. My ostomy nurse didn’t even know what those stickers were for, I have learned way more from RUclips. I will be trying the stickers.
May I share this on my FB page, you have explained this better than I ever could, thanks
I wear Dansac Novalife convex but have problems with ballooning
Yes, of course! Thank you for asking 🤗
I use water every time and carry a peri bottle on me whenever I go out My best friend
I do too have pancaking issues. I’m two weeks post op with a colonoscopy. I’m having a hell of a time with leakage. What is your opinion on psyllium husk? (Metamucil) I’m supposed to eat a low residue diet with some fiber introduced. Can you comment on that please?
Thank you so much
Such a helpful video, thank you.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
I sometimes have issues with the flange not sticking properly. If you've have got any suggestions on how to prevent this issue from happening, it would be much appreciated.
See if this video gives you some ideas: ruclips.net/video/lEIcbajxDbY/видео.html also check out the article that goes with it as there are many more things to explore when it comes to the wafer not sticking.
Thank you for these tips. I have a question that I haven’t seen mentioned on any videos from any channels that I’ve looked at and it is about disposal. Especially for closed bags. Where do you put them? So that they don’t smell the entire house up until you empty the garbage. Does everybody have a diaper pail?Any tips or hints because a normal plastic bag does not cover the smell. Thank you
There are ostomy specific disposal bags, that are basically thick ziploc bags. I use the disposal bags that come with some appliances, but have also used doggie poop bags. Really, anything that can be sealed will be fine until the garbage can be taken out.
I've never used a diaper pail system for my ostomy bags, as they are too expensive.
Thanks for the info!
Question: Hi Eric do you know anything about the proper way a Prevail diaper is worn?
Sorry, Frank. That's not a product I have experience with.
Can you please make a video on how to deal with holes in an ostomy pouch?
You shouldn't have holes in your pouch. How are they being made? A cat puncture them or are they being torn up some other way?
@@VeganOstomy idk, but for some reason it happens, AND ITS SO ANNOYING. :(
But it can't be my cat causing it to happen, because he got his claws removed.
I've had my bag puncture only a few times, but it's always happened when the plastic folding end of my Hollister bag (which has sharp edges) presses against my bag. I've stopped this from happening my using a pouch cover. If you can try to find out when/how these holes are being made, I may be able to suggest ways to help prevent it.
All I know is that I probably shouldn't be asking, I've had my ostomy for almost two years and yet I still lack some knowledge of how to take care of my ostomy.
😞I, hope I'm not bothering you, I'm only trying to look for answers.
No, please, don't stop asking questions! I love to problem solve, and if this is something we can stop, I'd love to figure out a solution. 😊
In the uk they have a stoma bridge. It's a piece of foam that you put in the bag. I can't seem to find them in the states. Send a link if you got it.
Do you have a link to one of these bridges online? I haven't seen anything like that in North America, but it sounds interesting.
Eric, again i thank you and i am indebted for your kindness and replying to my situation....thank you, i am really struggling with bags and supplies trying to manage my bag ...i pray i don't have skin problems....i will call my hospital where I had radiation, chemotherapy and and rectal colon tumor removed.....i did it!!!! That's a mouthful and tells you about...i am trying to find some help line geared towards people like me... can i use your services? Everything is by appointments...i will search for a nurse that specializes in my needs...thanks a million Eric
Contact your local or national ostomy association. They will have plenty of resources to share. Best to you!
Wow your videos very informativo thanks
Thanks for watching 😃
Thank you so much for your help you are truly awesome! Yes I find that pushing it down actually does help with that problem and most of the leaks I experience are generally when I'm sleeping. I also find that even black beans cause blockage and usually get released in abundance like 12 hours after I have them. I guess this is normal though.
Hey, Anthony!
Black beans are tough to digest unless you chew really, really well. I only eat canned black beans because they are softer, but they are still more challenging (they once landed me in the hospital with a blockage!).
Oh my gosh is it me or does it seriously hurt when we pancake! It feels like such a pressure behind it and all of a sudden it’s panacaked everywhere. Luckily I find I can remove it thankfully. I also suffer with thin output which causes me to suffer often leaks so I can’t really win 😩
+Kirt Andrews Yeah, it can get really uncomfortable sometimes. When that happens I know I need to modify something like maybe drinking more water.
My husband has an issue of the stoma, receding inward, not all the way in, just at the surface of the skin. I use the convex wafer, that seems to help. At times even with the convex It recedes. What causes a stoma to recede?
Does this lubricating method help to prevent "vacuuming" in a Urostomy we are having terrible and frequent leaks due to my husband's urostomy bag having this pancaking/vacuuming thing going on. Everything I'm finding talks about thick stools causing the pancaking although I did find a site that mentioned it is rare with urostomies but that it does happen. I'm trying to find out how much baby oil I should try in my husband's urostomy bag to prevent it from sticking to his stoma causing frequent leaks. Any advice would be appreciated these leaks are a strain on our quality of life.
Hey Donna. In the context of a colostomy/ileostomy, the vacuuming effect is usually caused by the filter, which urostomy bags lack. In that case, you can try one of two things because lubricant won't help with vacuuming: add a bit of air to the bag before closing it, this will prevent the suction pressure caused by vacuuming, and should help with the leaks. If you find that the bag still wants to lose air, you can add a wad of toilet paper to help create more space in the bag. With a urostomy, however, I think the wad will become saturated and break down quickly, so I don't know how that will work. Best of luck!
@@VeganOstomy Thank you
Yes i use laxative if i get pancaking
I have a retracted stoma, and I’m having to change the bag sometimes multiple times a day. When I take the bag off, I noticed the barrier ring has already pulled up. It never seems to stick properly. This has resulted in many leaks and it’s getting annoying really quick. Any tips?
Hey Nolan. That sounds frustrating. My first suggestion would be to try another barrier ring (different brand) and see if that helps. When applying the barrier ring, make sure you apply some pressure using your hand to both heat up and make sure the adhesives have some time to bond well.
Because you have a retracted stoma, have you been using a convex wafer? Those are usually the go-to product - you may not even need to use a barrier ring.
Best of luck to you!
Vegan Ostomy I recently started using hollister convex wafers, but the adhesive would pull up after only a day or so, so I’m switching to Coloplast’s deep convex wafers and hopefully that will do the trick
Good luck!
@@ahjeezrick coloplast convex bag 16767
this pull up of the ring is normal. i also have a flush stoma. if you use a barrier a little larger, (cut hole same size). Use 2 adapt rings (one streached to 1" center) other left normal and squash them together. work them to 1" width ,with center to fit stoma. always use barrier extenders also. you should get 5 days with this, after seal trim from moisture swelling. i use long wooden Q tips.
Going on 5 yrs now with my ostomy just can't get a handle on leaks! Stoma is below skin. Ugh.😢
That's frustrating, Corie. I'm sorry to hear that. Have you wearing a convex appliance? Do you know if the leaks are being caused or made worse by pancaking, or does your stoma "pull in" during bowel movements?
I eat string cheese before bed it pancakes during the night , what you said make a lot of since. wow
If it's dairy, then I'm not surprised. Dairy often constipates people and it would have a similar effect for ostomies (along with thickening of the output, causing pancaking).
Any advice for caring for my 94yr old mom with a colostomy
How long has she had a colostomy, and what is her current level of self-care? Is she fully dependent or can she do some things on her own? If you're able to have a stoma nurse do an assessment, they'll be able to sort out the most appropriate products for your mom. That will make things go a lot smoother than experimenting.
Thank you
my out put is very thick.. !!! don't like
any tips on thinning it?
drink water all day.
basically vegan meditiran
diet. thankyou for any advice!
Hi Cathy. Do you have a colostomy or ileostomy?
Hi I've had my ostomy for 10weeks and have suffered pancakeing my stoma nurse has now changed my pouch and it seems to be doing better know so hopefully the pouch I'm wearing now will be the one we stick to. It does take time to find the right pouch so it can be a little fustrating but we get there in the end. :-)
That's excellent! Yes, sometimes it's the pouch causing these issues for us! Take care :)
Question: I was told NOT to eat fruits skins OR whole grain as the remaining intestine won't be able to process. Is that only regarding the first 8 weeks after surgery?
It's pretty standard to tell patients to avoid harder to digest foods after surgery. Many never resume their typical diets, mostly because they were never told to.
It is in opinion that once the initial few months following surgery are done, most people should be able to ease into new foods, including fruit a with the skin on and whole grains. Smaller quantities, lots of chewing, and (over)cook to make it easier.
Of course, if you have a history of blockages or an ileostomy then it's better to be even more cautious. 👍
I ve had an ostomy for a year now. I have a colostomy .It was a big adjustment but listening to many testimonies of ostomates on you tube has helped tremendously. I have learned a way to avoid pancaking is by using baby oil in the bag after you 've rinsed it with water and a little baking soda helps to minimize odor . i also use a protective sheet . I cut the hole a bit bigger than i do on the base plate . and i stick the donut ring directly on the sticky side of the baseplate and overlap it a bit on the other side in order to make sure it seals it . so first the protective sheet , then the sticky side of baseplate with the ring on it , press hard then add the Brava barrier strip on each side to secure it even more . I haven t had any pancaking for quite a while now ..I would like to know if anyone can give me any ideas on showering .and keeping the bag dry if possible
Thanks for sharing, Jeannine. I do have other videos on showering, including products that can help keep your appliance dry (I.e. shower aprons). Take care.
My pancaking is the poop sticks to my flange. Should I pour water on the flange or will it cause it to leak?
Hey John, if the pancaking is causing pressure on your wafer (as if it feels like it's pushing either the bag or wafer off) then I would suggest trying to loosen or remove it. Generally speaking, simply moving the stool from the outside of your bag using your hand is enough. You can rinse your bag out to also loosen the output, but I try not to rinse around my stoma as that can increase the risk of leaks.
I have tried everything to stop the pancaking. Is there another type of bag that would.help. I’ve used a Hollister precut 1 1/2 inch for ten years, my stoma grew from one inch to 11/2. I’m desperate. Ty for any advice,
It can be frustrating, for sure. Does your Hollister bag have a filter on it? If so, try to put tape on it and allow some air in your bag to see if that helps. For me, pancaking is worse with certain foods but even more so when the filter on my bag produces a vacuum that stops output from going anywhere. That's one of the reasons why I use bags without filters now.
It can be frustrating, for sure. Does your Hollister bag have a filter on it? If so, try to put tape on it and allow some air in your bag to see if that helps. For me, pancaking is worse with certain foods but even more so when the filter on my bag produces a vacuum that stops output from going anywhere. That's one of the reasons why I use bags without filters now.
Is it alright to put water in the bag to wash out the waste .the stoma will be wet
Yes, I do that from time to time. Just be mindful of getting too much water around the stoma itself as it could leak through the hole in the barrier. I also find that using warm water is better for me than cold water, since it keeps the stoma from contracting. Take care!
To counter pancaking ..... Washing (rinsing) the pouch with water - have you experienced any adverse effect in terms of noticeable reduced life of the flange bond with skin - or leakage through flange (for two piece system) ?
In my experience, provided that warm water is being used and/or the water does not soak the stoma, there should be little to no risk, especially if the wafer is designed for ileostomy output ( usually called "extended wear").
However, it also depends on how long you expect to have the appliance on for. If only for 3 days or less, I would give it a good rinse. But for 7 or more days I will only rinse the bottom half of the bag.
@@VeganOstomy Thanks - that helps. One more doubt though ... are all pouches washable. I suppose they are. My mother uses Coloplast 10386 bag - the pouch for the two piece version. Will this also be washable with the warm water?
@@nandkishorkulkarni3082 That Coloplast 10386 should be fine to rinse, but I would caution getting water up too high as you don't want it to touch the filter, or it might clog the filter or cause it to leak. If you can find one without the filter, then it would be better for rinsing, especially since bags that have filters aren't really made to be worn for longer than a few days.
NEVER USE OIL...EVER!. I learned the hard way believe me. Oil breaks down the seal and disolves the plastic within minutes!
Just put 1 or 2 tablespoons of water in the bag. Pancake issue resolved. I have not had a pancaking issue a single time since I started using water. And, the pouch is easier to empty with less mess.
Yikes! What kind of oil were you using? I don't put oil in my bag, but I know many people who do without issue. Of course, you only want enough to coat the bag, but enough where it pools anywhere. Water works great too and is a safer option as far as the bag is concerned 👍
@@VeganOstomy just baby oil. Although i squirted it directly in the bag but only enough to coat it without having excess at the bottom. I guess thats where I went wrong then.
Water seems to have done the trick very well as it breaks the pancake up in only a few minutes and it flows smooth through the bag.
I have only had my ostomy for four months so far.
The type of baby oil could make a difference too. Many are made with petroleum products, which could break down the wafer quickly. Vegetable oils are better, but water is probably going to be the best all around. 😉
mouth put is very thick.
how can I make it thin er. basicly vegan.. meditiran
diet
Try the tips in this video: m.ruclips.net/video/lnbICYUhxkg/видео.html
Is it dangerous to pancake though?🤔 sometimes I'll find myself waking up with pancaking but no stool? Is this also normal?
Pancaking is when the stool builds up at the top half of your bag or around your stoma, so there will always be stool.
The risk that I often find with pancaking is that because the stool isn't dropping to the bottom of the bag, it may try to push outwards and force the wafer to come off, even slightly. This can result in a leak or blowout.
Does that make sense in your case?
Hey there! Thank you for your video! I'm a very new ostomy nurse and have so much to learn :) I wasn't aware that you could rinse all the way to the top of the bag- I assumed it could cause the hydrocoloid to erode. Do you find that this can erode your wafer? Thank you!!
My mother's skin get reddish around ostomy. Can you help with that
Hi Saman, I suggest having your mother be assessed by a stoma nurse. There can be several reasons for reddness ranging from allergies, to improper removal of the appliance, to leaks, and improper fitting of the appliance. It would need to be looked at to know for sure. Generally speaking, when I have redness around the stoma, it's because I'm either wearing my appliance too long or there are some minor leaks that are irritating the skin. Once I address those, the reddness goes away. Good luck.
I try to lie on my side at night. And the nonstick products work great too
Hello everyone: recently i noticed a bulge developing around the stoma..it looks like a volcano shape...my ostomy bag is on my left side..my bag is vertical. .my out is continuous throughout the day in small amounts..i am changing my bag 6 to 8 times a day...i am in habit of flushing my bag whenever I see an output .i am alone ,83 years old, bathroom is available 24/7 ....i will adjust as needed if my lifestyle changes....i thank anyone who comments regarding my concerns
A bulge could indicate a hernia developing behind or around the stoma. I'd get this looked at to confirm. A support binder may be suggested by a nurse to contain a hernia (if present).
I had a problem with a bulging around my stoma and after checking with my doctor i learned that the bulging was not a hernia but colon inside my stomach was pushing against my stoma.....i was told not to worry about it but just keep an on it....i was relieved i did not have hernia but i am perplexed about what organ inside my stomach is causing the area around my stoma to bulge..
Surely, there must be many cases like mine ...if one has a bag ,there a chance of getting a bulge around the stoma, stoma being the center of the bulge at something... has anyone out had experienced a bulge around the stoma????
Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated immensely...thank you so much.
Glad to hear that it's not a hernia. I also have a bulge behind my stoma, so it could be more common than you'd think. Continue to be mindful when doing strenuous activities to help prevent a hernia in the future.
@VeganOstomy Eric, thanks a million for your wonderful reply, you have no idea how I appreciate your answer.....your help is great
I just don’t understand, I’ve tried everything and my wafer is still eroded within 6 hours? The output won’t fall to the bottom of the bag no matter what I do and my stoma nurse tells me she’s never seen this before!!?? My skin around my stoma is so irritated and itchy I’m up in the night abs changing it 2/3 times a day?
Jennifer, I feel for you. I've been there, trust me, you aren't alone. What appliance are you using and are you using anything else like paste or barrier rings? Do you have a colostomy or ileostomy? Generally speaking, how often are you emptying your appliance? Finally, what's your diet like? That can have a huge impact on if/how "pancaking" affects you.
Tried a little LAXATIVE to thin your stools not too much half of suggested dose as it goes through the intestines quicker than normal output. Or a little Baby oil rubbed inside ya Bag to lubricate and help slide down the bag :)
How does anyone adapt to an ostomy bag without you?? I have learned so much! I will try your pancaking tips, as it is a huge problem for me, and I didn’t know it was common. Emptying my pouch is seriously like trying to hand milk cheese, instead of milk, from a cow! 😂
I learned from others and passed on the knowledge and experience. We all help each other to adapt 👍
Yes all videos are very helpful 👍
Just for fun, your comment « trying to hand milk cheese, instead of milk from a cow »….. that’s me at the hospital adamant that I didn’t want a drainable bag. I have a colostomy, and happily using colomagic liners with a closed pouch. I dispose of liners in garbage, havent risked flushing them (I use drainable bags when dealing with diarrhea)
Hi Eric, your video was very insightful as they all are! I notice myself constantly having to push the output down manually all day with my fingertips to help with the pancaking and I notice by doing so that at the top where I'm pancaking, it may be compromising the filter and causing the bag to stink prematurely. Any other new suggestions? Oh and I'm a colostomate btw.
Keeping the filter clean is a challenge, often not worth the effort, but I to do a "sideways squeegee" with the top of my bag between two fingers and can help. Unfortunately, the filter will still become soiled over time, so a bag swap is often needed.
I know I need a Colostomy but I tend to get in a state about things, even though I always self-talk positivity. Don't know how I am going to cope with my poo everywhere.
Be gentle on yourself. It really isn't bad or difficult once you get the hang of your routine. 👍
I eat less fiber if I’m having thick or pancaking output.
Different fibre will produce different results, but I do find that certain fiber/foods thicken my output too much, so I reduce them when I'm pancaking. 👍
I have done it all!! Literally. I have a colostomy. My poo is not thick not lose. I pancake always. 😮😢