Effective Liquid Control for Ileostomy Pouches Using Gardening Granules

Hello everybody, I have found a cheap, easy and effective liquid control (thickener) for my output. I have had a problem with it being so watery. Im now using water storing granules commonly used in gardening. I just put about 1/4 of a teaspoon or slightly less if its a bit thicker into my pouch after each empty. It has no effect on the pouch and becomes part of the output so there are no removal problems. I just have to make sure i get them in past the closing mechanism of the pouch and a 1/8th teaspoon is perfect as i can insert/direct it to where it needs to go. Im getting much longer between empties now. Hope this might be able to help some other people too.

Hi there...I must be missing something here....liquid flows in at the top of the bag...when it fills to a certain point it needs to be dumped, regardless of the consistency of the contents. How does something placed in the bag reduce the number of dumps required given that the need to dump is based on the volume enterreing the bag, not its consistency.

The crystals absorb water into themselves and form a gel that takes up less space. Because the output is thicker or more concentrated it required less emptying that a thin liquid. It just turns it into a firmer product and takes up less space. Im emptying about half as much on my watery output times but when its naturally thicker i dont save as much on the emptying. Overall I have noticed a big difference and im very happy. please dont try it if you have doubts. Its the same crystals that come in the little sachets that u get for overnight use in the monthly allowance so therefore it should work or the company wouldnt produce them. im just improvising on their product and my way is cheaper.

I spent considerable money to get a container of  granule filled packets that were supposed to do the work and reduce the odor -- they don't work and I am sooo pleased to hear of your creative thinking.  



I did a lot of experiments with these absorbers when I taught science and the kids were really intrigued.  I never gave them a thought in terms of this, but I will try them -- some foods just go to a lot more iquid than others.  Thank you for sharing!!!