Revel "It's In The Bag" Review: Pros and Cons

Someone here had good things to say about this pouch lube/deodorant so I ordered. It works as advertised with easy emptying and reduced odor. However: I found the product oozed out of my bag filter (sensura mio convex) and left oily stains on the pouch cover and on my clothes. I tried using filter covers but the oil of the product destroyed the adhesive. Fortunately, the company's customer service is excellent and I was given a full refund very quickly. I'll tuck my nearly new supply into a donation box and hope someone can make use of it. 

Thanks for posting your experience.  I use Hollister deodorizer lube.  Works well.

That positive post you are referring to had additional negative comments from users.

I believe AlexT. mentioned that after using that deodorizer, his bag too suffered the same fate.

I don't think there were many positive comments on that

thread. Hmm...🫢

M-9... Works for me.

Within a day of using it, I could smell output, which was either the lubricant eating my ring/wafer (Hollister products) or messing with the filter; I don't know which. 🤷‍♂️ Revel is refunding my money. I have basically 2 full bottles, 1 of each flavor, if anyone wants to risk, I mean try it. 😁 Let me know...

Good sales pitch. Nice recovery. ☺️

My Ostomy Journey: Bruce | Hollister

😁

I should have given more time to see others' experience before jumping on the order button. I'm back to my Brava product. It does the job but needs to be reapplied with every empty, which the Revel product did not. Having a busy ileostomy, I empty six or more times each day. I typically run out of it before Medicare will permit a reorder, and I fill in the gap with an Amazon buy. I'm always looking to pinch a penny if anyone has a good DIY they want to share.

Alex, it seems logical that soybean oil and adhesive is a risky mix. I hadn't thought of it until after, but I use oil like that to take off adhesive residue from tapes and bandaids 🤦🏻‍♀️ (The truth about the Coloplast Sensura filter is that, despite all their hype about its design, it does NOT do the job. Once output hits it, game over; balloon time!)

That's OK. We are somewhat programmed to "jump the gun." We want that instant answer without pause.

This place is like the Monark Notes of ostomy living. Or Consumer Reports. Everyone is test driving their equipment.

Everyone comments on it for others' benefit. No B.S. Maybe a few use a sales pitch because they are very happy with the product.

But... we have a few mantras here.

One of the many mantras is - "It works for me, may not work for you."

Another is, "No two people are the same with illness, or complications."

I'd like to add about filters? The consensus is they don't work.

Doesn't matter the brand. It's been a misconception, and often a fabricated sales pitch.

I use the Sensura Mio click only because of the 5 corners. Not the filter. Mechanically speaking, 5 work better than four. An amazing concept. Oops, was that a sales pitch? 😆😅🤣😂 Sorry.

Doesn’t matter the brand, all bags with filters have that issue once output gets to them or we use water to rinse the bag out. 

I've had very good luck with Revel "it's in the bag"...sorry some of my osteomates had problems!

It's always a good idea to try a free sample before purchasing. I have tried lots of products but none w/o a free sample. Oil-based lubricants can be tricky to use —normally requiring only a few drops. If it is oozing out of the filter then it's probably too much, no matter what the instructions say.

I am familiar with  M-9 as a deodorizer but not as a lubricant. Do you also use it as a lubricant?

Hi. No, I just use M9 when I need to; otherwise, water does a good job prior to emptying it.

I'm OK doing this. Cheap. Effective. Cleans bag.

I use olive oil, Convatec esenta lubricating deodorant and a product to thicken output as needed called smelleze. It is also a deodorizer. Pretty much these products help but I swear I always smell my output. I also use a handheld bidet to rinse out as much output as I can. Saves on toilet paper too!!

Inexpensive odor control:

Ostomy Odor
•    Ostomy odor is created by bacteria breaking down certain foods, turning it into odorous waste and also sometimes creating odorous gases. This gas, fills the pouch with air that must be released to prevent leaks and/or blowouts.  Effluent that is contained in an appliance for  several hours builds up bacteria and is smelly when emptying.

Hydrogen Peroxide as Deodorizer  
•    An inexpensive odor Eliminator is adding 10 – 20 ml of hydrogen peroxide to your pouch. If the reduction in odor is not enough use 30 ml.
•    Hydrogen peroxide has limited antibacterial effects — while hydrogen peroxide isn’t always effective as antibacterial agent, it inhibits reproduction of bacteria.  
•    When injected into water, hydrogen peroxide releases a large amount of dissolved oxygen which has a strong oxidizing effect, destroying odors.  
•    This means hydrogen peroxide is more effective with liquid or semi-liquid output.
•    It is reported that hydrogen peroxide is decomposed before absorption in the intestine. Solutions of hydrogen peroxide displays poor penetration when applied to tissue.

Aspirin as Deodorizer
•    Aspirin has been used historically for odor control; however, the stool must be liquid for aspirin to be effective. Also, if the aspirin comes in contact with the stoma, it may irritate the stoma.
•    Just cut an aspirin tablet in half and place half in bottom of pouch. Some need two halves and others with a very thick stool need to dissolve an aspirin tablet in an ounce or two of water.

Lavender Essential Oil as Deodorizer  
•    An inexpensive odor eliminator, for colostomies, is applying 10 drops of lavender essential oil into your pouch during colostomy bag exchange and spreading the oil around the entire inner surface of the pouch.  
•    For many years, lavender essential oil has been used for  its antibacterial properties.  

Note: Pop into your pouch a few peppermint altoids, many ostomates say they work really well.

Aries 🔥here. Epitome of shooting from the hip🙄

Totally agree about filters. Hollister never worked. Sensura Mio never works. I thought the Sensura Flip would be the answer with its wider support ring to decrease contact between output and filter.  It was very comfortable to wear with its star shape but EVERY one gassed up and blew out within 24 hours! Back to MIO, accepting that "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't know." 

Thanks! Great help! I have used a couple of TicTac mints or a single drop of peppermint oil for odor control. Both work, but the lube factor is nil. I've been thinking about trying hair conditioner for that.

After trying many products, I finally found Diamond sachets. Not only did they stop odor cold, but also gelled excess liquid. When I empty my bag, I squirt in some baby oil to make emptying fast and clean, then I drop in the sachet. I wear a one-piece Sensura bag.

I am having the same issue as I am using the same appliance (sensura mio convex). I found that it's also odor time. Help, please.

I also use the Coloplast Sensa Mio 1 PCE convex and the Brava lubricating deodorant. This helps things slide out and suppress odor. I used to use too much and was advised that up to 8 drops is optimal - and have found this too.

As for the odors over and above, there are a number of foods that are listed on the "smelly" list that I avoid when possible: onions, garlic, fish, very spicy foods, and some veggies. Broccoli is bad, but I eat it anyway (in small amounts) because it's good for me!

They told me to use less than the recommended amount also. My theory is that if the recommended amount affects my bag, a lesser amount will also, just not as fast. I won’t risk having an issue, especially at work or while out. 

You use Olive Oil? 

What does Popeye have to say abt that? 😋😁🤣😂

Beyond using a pouch deodorant (Brava) or a drop of peppermint oil, the only thing that has helped me with odor is rinsing the bag at emptying time and changing every 3 days. We're all put together so differently and have our own unique body chemistry, though, so the best thing is to keep researching, keep an open mind, and try others' suggestions. Until the manufacturers come up with better solutions, it's all we've got!  

I am one of the people who ordered it and I loved it. At first... 

After several days I started to notice, like Alex did that I could smell the output more than I did prior.  I wonder if that is due to the amount of oil? I liked how easier it made it to empty the bag,  but I've had to change bags in between change days.  I've not had to do that prior to using it. 

I still like the ease of emptying from it, but I'm going to switch back to my Hollister adapt and see if I notice anything.

Exactly. The "engineers" suggested using less. I used the same reasoning as you did, plus the fact that oily stains are tough to get out of clothes. I can't afford to toss out my shirts! I opted for a refund instead. 

Thought I'd update. Day 2 of using Adapt instead of the Revel product. The bag still looks great, and there is no smell. I have to assume it's because of the oil in the Revel product breaking down the filter and causing odor? I'm sticking with Adapt.

Exactly my results too. Wish the Revel stuff worked for someone, I have 2 full bottles that are useless to me. 🤷‍♂️

I've never had a problem with any of Colaplast's products. However, it works for some and not for others, since the deodorant and lubricant contain oil to assist with the contents of the bag so they do not sit in that round area and block the hole. Then, feces back up and lay on it, dripping back off the plate that's on your stomach. A little goes a long way; less is more, as you add each time that you empty the bag. Hope this helps!

I had never heard of "Revel! Lubricant/Deodorant" before seeing it in this thread. I sent off to get a free sample to see how it performed. I have been using it since late October — I love this stuff.

I have a colostomy and use SenSura Mio Convex Flip with SenSura Mio Click Closed Pouch. I don't know if the instructions have changed since you bought your bottle or not but it says to use 5ml of the contents. 5 ml is barely enough to lubricate my pouch — after emptying 5ml in the pouch I rub it around to insure the surface of the pouch is lubricated. There is no oil left over to leak out the pouch — I use a q-tip to rub some oil opposite the hole in the pouch. I like this stuff because effluent flows easily down the pouch.

The two things I refuse to give in to is pancaking and odor. Revel! Lubricant/Deodorant completes the puzzle for me. I previously used "Brava Lubricating Deodorant" and it has performed quite well but Revel! has performed better. I have other solutions for the odor; therefore, I need a good lubricant and Revel! now meets that need.

The following are the steps I use to manage odor and provide lubrication:

■ Add 5 ml of Revel! Lubricant/Deodorant and rub it around the pouch.

■ Add 10 ml of hydrogen peroxide to the pouch.

■ Add 3 ml of water to the pouch

■ Using a dropper, apply the contents of one dropper of Tea Tree Essential Oil to the top of a cotton ball

■ Using a dropper, apply the contents of one dropper of Peppermint Essential Oil to the bottom of the cotton ball

■ Add the cotton ball containing the oils to the pouch.

Dropping the cotton ball into the bottom of the pouch before you apply your pouch, creates weight in pouch to aid motion to slide in and prevent vacuum of pouch.

Perhaps this works for me because I use a closed-end pouch. I do know if there is oil leaking out the pouch you used too much. There needs to only be enough oil in the pouch to lubricate the inside of the pouch with no excess oil.

P. S.: @AlexT if you have those extra bottles I can certainly use them. 😉