This topic is about using barrier rings with a flat stoma and whether they are helpful or not. The person sharing their experience has a flat stoma and uses convex Hollister pouches along with flat CeraRing barrier rings. They are questioning if the rings might be causing more issues, such as pancaking, by adding extra depth. They frequently empty and rinse their pouch because the output tends to cake around the stoma.

Here are some thoughts and advice from others who have faced similar situations:

1. Some people with flat or irregular stomas find that using a ring is crucial for preventing leaks. They often use Hollister convex wafers with Coloplast Brava wax rings or Hollister CeraRings to achieve a good seal.

2. On the other hand, some users have found that rings can disintegrate, especially when rinsing or in hot weather, which can worsen adhesion. For them, using just the wafer without a ring stopped leaks.

3. It's helpful to compare how much the ring and wafer swell. Rings tend to swell quickly, while wafers swell more slowly but can become thicker over time. Measuring the height of the wafer and ring before and after use can help determine if the combination is sitting higher than the stoma.

4. If there's a gap between the stoma and wafer, a ring can protect the skin until the wafer swells. Without a ring, even a small gap might allow liquid output to break the seal.

5. To reduce bulk, you can cut the Hollister ring, roll it out thinly with a rolling pin, and wrap it tightly around the stoma before applying the wafer.

6. Hollister offers two thicknesses of rings: a thin 4" CeraRing and a thicker 2½" CeraRing. Choosing the slimmer version or flattening the thicker one can help reduce protrusion.

7. Warming the ring in your hands, stretching it to fit around the stoma, and pressing firmly after applying the wafer can create a cleaner seal without paste.

8. People who rinse frequently have mixed experiences: some see no breakdown of the ring, while others notice fragments breaking off. This might depend on individual water chemistry and the brand of the ring.

9. Users with small or side-output stomas have had success with Hollister Soft Convex products and the 2" Slim CeraRing #8815 until their stoma changes.

10. Ultimately, experimenting with different combinations—such as using only the wafer, trying different ring brands or thicknesses, or thinning the ring—was the key for many to find the best solution for their stoma shape and output.