This topic is about someone trying to mix and match parts from two different ostomy brands to find a more comfortable and effective solution. They used a ConvaTec moldable flange and a Hollister drainable pouch, hoping this combination would work well together and reduce the "water-ballooning" effect when the pouch fills up. They are curious if others have tried this mix and what their experiences were.

Here are some insights and advice shared by others:

1. Overnight testing showed a slight leak, and further testing revealed that the Hollister pouch doesn't fully lock onto the ConvaTec flange. This is because the plastic parts have different tolerances, even though both are labeled as 57 mm.

2. The ConvaTec flange might have temporarily accepted the Hollister pouch because body heat softened it, but this isn't a reliable solution.

3. Hollister offers a product similar to ConvaTec’s moldable flange called the FormaFlex Skin Barrier. The user found older reviews but is looking for more recent experiences with this product.

4. The ConvaTec flanges have lasted up to 7 days for the user, but they find the drainage tap on ConvaTec pouches to be bulky under clothing. They hope Hollister pouches might be less noticeable.

5. After further testing, it was confirmed that ConvaTec flanges and Hollister pouches are not reliably compatible, as more leaks occurred.

6. Some members advise against leaving home until you are sure the combination works well, as a failure in public could be embarrassing.

7. A couple of members have tried mixing brands in the past, including using Coloplast pouches on ConvaTec flanges, but found that none of these combinations locked securely. Generally, two-piece systems from different manufacturers are not interchangeable.

8. While flange-to-pouch couplings are brand-specific, accessories like belts, pastes, and skin-prep products can be mixed freely.

9. One member appreciates ConvaTec’s flange design and Coloplast pouches but dislikes Coloplast’s "click" coupling. They wish manufacturers would standardize their coupling systems for better compatibility.