Gassy Ostomy Bag After Adding Fiber: Should I Continue?

Hey there, I am 6 weeks post-ileostomy surgery. I tried eating a banana, and my output has not slowed down, but my ostomy bag is really gassy. The bag just keeps on bloating. I wonder if this is normal or if I should try eating a little bit less or stop the fiber and try it next week?

This is normal. Keep the fiber light for now until your system stabilizes. Then increase slowly.

You are really early in your journey. Add fiber in slowly. Do you have a lot of output or just gas? Do you use a bag with a filter? (Not that I think filters do any good).

I feel like it's a bit more than normal, but nothing crazy.

Also, no filter, just the one-piece Hollister. I was planning on eating one small banana every day for this week.

My bag always inflates; I wake up most nights with a goddamn blimp stuck to my belly. 😆

It makes no odds what I eat. I eat stuff that keeps your output thicker; it still inflates. I eat something that may speed up function; it still gasses up. 🤷‍♂️

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

G-Day haibahafifah,

You can burp the bag if you use a drainable pouch. Just lift the bottom of the bag up, carefully open the end, gently press the air out of the bag, and close it up again.

Regards, IGGIE

I have to agree on the filter! I had my revision surgery, and they put a lovely bag on with a filter that did not contain the smell of the garlic from the pizza nor the smell of the anesthesia! I put on one of those covers from the shower and just left it on. It improved my environment somewhat. As for the gas, I generally burp my bag by carefully opening it at the bottom with it tipped up so nothing will drip out by mistake since I add deodorizers to my bag.

I tried various bags after surgery 12 weeks ago. The Hollister with filter (used 3 times) blew up when I was gassy. I mean it was completely full of gas and nothing else. I switched to the Coloplast with filter (have used since) and inflation of the bag hasn't happened yet.

My bag options are limited since I'm from a developing country, and I think only Hollister carries a bag with a filter, and that's the two-part one which I want to try after I use up all of my current supplies.

I used a Convatec one before, and it had the same problem, so I don't think it's the bag, and even if it is, I can't really get a hold of other brands.

Burping the bag is your best option for dealing with the gas.

Your digestive system is not the same as it was before surgery. It will take time to stabilize. Slow and steady.

Wherever thou may be, let thy wind go free; whether it's church or chapel, let it rattle.

Regards, IGGIE

How is that going? Eating one small banana? Are things any better?

Output seems to be normal, still kind of gassy, not as much.

Will probably continue eating 1 banana this week.