The topic at hand is about dealing with a common issue for ostomy pouch users known as "pancaking," where stool collects and sticks at the top of the pouch. This can be quite inconvenient, as it often requires manual intervention to push the stool down. Here are some practical tips and advice to help prevent this from happening:

1. Keep Air in the Pouch
- Allow a small pocket of air inside the pouch to help the stool drop down instead of sticking to the stoma.
- If your pouch has a charcoal filter, cover it with the supplied sticker to prevent air from escaping.

2. Use a Lubricating/Deodorizing Agent
- Consider using Hollister Adapt Lubricating Deodorant, which is available in both full-size and travel bottles.
- Some users also recommend Hollister M9 drops, but note that these should be spread around to be effective.
- After changing or emptying your pouch, squirt some lubricant inside, close the tail, and massage the pouch to coat the entire interior, especially near the stoma. Be careful not to get lubricant on the wafer, adhesive, Velcro, or your skin.
- Reapply a small amount of lubricant each time you empty the pouch.

3. Rinsing and Hydration
- If you use a drainable pouch, rinse it each time you empty it to remove any residue.
- Increase your fluid intake, as thicker output is more likely to stick.

4. Bag Handling Tips
- After emptying, hold the tail of the drainable pouch upward while adding lubricant to ensure it coats the whole pouch.
- For one-piece systems, you can add lubricant through the stoma opening before applying the pouch.
- Work the lubricant around until the plastic no longer sticks to itself; the inside should look whitish and bubbly when fully coated.

5. Accessory Notes
- Some users prefer a moldable ring seal instead of a rigid plastic ring for a better fit on wrinkled or uneven abdomens.
- If you notice bulging shirts or an off-center pouch, it might indicate that stool is stuck. Gently pinch or flatten the plastic to redistribute it if needed.

6. General Assurance
- Remember, there are no silly questions. It's important for new users to feel comfortable asking anything they’re unsure about. The community is there to help.