Tips for Preventing Pancaking in Ostomy Bags

I'm looking for tips to prevent pancaking. I've tried everything from increasing fluids to putting a filter sticker on my bag or even lubrication in the bag to help the output go to the bottom. I'm out of options, and at this point, I just become upset.

In my experience, besides a tad of oil in the bag, a small amount of air in the bag is necessary as well. I have found that becoming upset will not help at all. Chin up, march on. Hugs, jb

Lubrication needs to be spread throughout the bag. I use cheap cooking spray.

Also, cover the filter, drink plenty of fluids, and trap some air in the bag.

Basically, all of the above. Sorry!

I have found that making sure there is air in the bag has been most helpful. The other suggestions of fluids and lubrication are helpful as well.

G-Day Aly,

First, I would look at your food intake. Second, when you do get pancaking and go to empty the bag, let the bulk of the content go, then refill the bag with about half a cup full of water. Close the bag and swish the water around inside the bag, and then dump it.

Regards, IGGIE

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I'm not sure if this will help you or not. I've noticed today that my output is incredibly liquid, and I believe it's because I am doing a no-carb diet in prep for my PET CT scan tomorrow. So maybe cutting out some carbs in addition to the water would cut back on the pancaking? I'm just shooting in the dark here.

I agree with Dwild,

I eat mainly meat on a Carnivore Diet, and my output is very loose, which I prefer. Give it a go; it's also a great way to lose weight.

IGGIE

I wish that carbs would thicken me up. Lol

We are all very different.

Adding to that… after rinsing your bag out, it's vital to add lubricant so the bag doesn't end up sticking to itself and not allowing anything to fall to the bottom. Those that have mainly liquid output have no idea how irritating pancaking can be; just those who suffer with it have no idea how having mainly liquid output is.

I have been dealing with not only pancaking but also failure of adhesive on the bag, so having liquid output is helping it stay on better. My skin saga is already on here, but today I changed and used the Dermabond skin covering from Coloplast, and it seems to be working. Of course, my output being more liquid is making it easier for it to hold. Yesterday and the day before, I was using Mastisol, which is basically glue for wounded skin, but last night the sting was more than I could handle today, so I changed it up. Much more comfortable today.

The pancaking makes the adhesive fail, puts too much pressure, and/or gets under the sticky part.

Alex, it all comes down to what you eat.

IGGIE

Hi, my experience is that it comes down to what you eat and how many fluids you are taking in! I have a very high fluid output with my ileostomy. So much so, that I get dehydrated easily even though I drink around 8 to 10 glasses of water, lemonade (my favorite), or other beverages a day. Until a year ago, when I had my first small bowel (SBO) obstruction. Since then, if I eat too many carbs, I have thicker output. If I keep my diet largely protein-based with much smaller sides of carbs, I don't get obstructions or pancaking. I have found that changing my diet and fluid intake, trying to find that sweet spot from nutrition of not getting dehydrated from high output and ending up in the ER with an acute kidney injury or ending up in the ER with SBO is difficult but can be done. Everyone's body is different with digestion, but playing around with your nutritional intake and fluid amounts will definitely help you out. My health insurance allows 4 bottles of Hollister M9 odor eliminator and lubricator drops per month. That is a great item to check out to see if that would help you out inside your bag as well. Good luck!! -Colene

I am having the same issue! I covered the filter, and the bag still literally sticks to my stoma. I tried baby oil in the bag, I tried rolling up a piece of toilet paper, and I am drinking more water than I ever have. I have a colostomy bag, so I know my output is going to be thicker, which does not help combat pancaking. I just got new bags that are clear so I can see when it's happening and no filter! I hope this helps because output sitting on my stoma is going to lead to a leak.

Hello, you might want to try the "Osto-EZ-Vent" device; it has helped me.

Would vegetable oil work too?

I use spray cooking oil, which is vegetable oil. It is just easier to spread it through the bag as a spray.

See and ask your stomach nurse.

We use a two-piece. Helen was slightly on my left, almost facing south. A conclave flange helped us. Use adhesive remover, then the wipe that helps the adhesive stick, place the ring, then the flange. Diet, I guess, works; chew really, really good and drink shit loads of water.🤣🤣🤣

Good luck, hope this helped.

I was given a product called Fusion; it's like sticky lollipops that you wipe your skin with. It's 50:50 on efficacy with the bag, but everything else sticks to it like glue!