The topic at hand is about dealing with a common issue faced by many ostomy bag users known as "pancaking." This happens when the output sticks around the stoma instead of dropping to the bottom of the pouch, which can be quite frustrating. Here are some helpful tips and insights to manage this problem:

1. Trap some air in the pouch:
- Cover the built-in filter or use an add-on vent like the "Osto-EZ-Vent" to prevent the bag from collapsing onto the stoma.
- Leave a small pocket of air each time you empty or change the pouch to help keep it open.

2. Lubricate the entire interior of the bag:
- Use a spray cooking oil (vegetable-oil aerosol) for an even coat, which is also cost-effective.
- Alternatives include baby oil, a few drops of ordinary vegetable oil, or Hollister M9 Odor Eliminator & Lubricant Drops.
- Always re-lubricate after rinsing or cleaning the pouch to prevent the plastic from sticking to itself.

3. Rinse after emptying:
- After letting most of the stool out, add about ½ cup of water, swish it around to clear residue, dump again, and then relubricate.

4. Adjust diet to loosen output:
- Some find that reducing or eliminating carbohydrates and focusing on protein/meat (Carnivore or low-carb diet) makes stool more liquid and reduces pancaking.
- Others notice that more carbs thicken their output, so it’s important to experiment and see what works best for you.
- Chew food thoroughly and maintain high fluid intake to keep stool soft.

5. General pouching and skin-protection tips:
- Use a two-piece system with a concave flange or barrier ring if the stoma is flush or retracted.
- If pancaking affects the seal, strengthen adhesion with products like Dermabond Skin Covering (Coloplast), Mastisol, or Fusion skin-prep wipes.
- Apply adhesive remover wipes first, then an adhesive-enhancing wipe, ring, and flange in that order.

6. Other practical hints:
- Keeping a positive attitude can be helpful; getting upset doesn’t change the physics of stool flow.
- Consult a stoma/ET nurse for personalized appliance fitting and dietary guidance.

These strategies can help manage pancaking and make living with an ostomy more comfortable.