This topic is about someone who recently had a permanent colostomy and is experiencing a delay in bowel output. They are looking for advice on how to stimulate bowel activity and manage their new situation. Here are some helpful insights and advice shared by others:

1. It's common for the colon to be "asleep" after surgery. Many people experience little or no output for about 7-8 days as the bowel needs time to recover from the surgery.

2. Continue taking the prescribed laxatives like Dulcolax and Miralax, and keep an eye out for any pain, bloating, or signs of obstruction. Some people were kept in the hospital until their bowel started working again.

3. If there's an early blockage, a stoma nurse can help by gently loosening any hardened stool around the stoma. Regular irrigation can also help prevent hard-stool problems in the future.

4. To stimulate bowel movement, try chewing sugar-free gum or drinking fruit juices, especially prune juice or other juices high in sorbitol.

5. Remember that even with part of the colon removed, it can still take several days for stool to travel through the remaining bowel to the stoma.

6. To manage lubrication and prevent pancaking inside the pouch, you can use products like Hollister Adapt Lubricating Deodorant, which also has a pleasant scent. Alternatively, a generic or store-brand KY jelly can be used. Just squeeze a small amount into the pouch opening, seal it, and gently rotate or shake the pouch to coat the inside. Regular irrigation might make lubricants unnecessary for some people.