Managing excess gas and the "football" ballooning effect in a colostomy pouch can be a bit of a challenge. This happens when the pouch fills with gas, making it look like you're carrying a football. If you're dealing with this, you might wonder if the gas is coming from your digestive system or forming later in the pouch, especially if you don't notice gas passing from the stoma.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Understanding Gas Sources:
- Gas in the intestines comes from swallowed air and the breakdown of food by bacteria in the colon. Even after stool is in the pouch, it can continue to release gas.
- Sometimes, gas can be released from the stoma without you noticing.

2. Diet-Related Strategies:
- Try to identify and cut down on foods and drinks that cause gas. Common culprits include milk, ice cream, sugars, carbs, and dairy products like sea-salt-caramel ice cream.
- Consider an elimination trial: remove one food group (like dairy, sugars, or carbs) for a week, then slowly reintroduce it to see if it's causing the gas.
- Be mindful of snacks like chips, which might cause you to swallow more air, leading to increased gas.

3. Appliance and Filter Tips:
- If you're not using a filtered pouch, it might be worth trying one. Filters help vent gas and reduce odor.
- Filters can get clogged when output reaches them. If ballooning starts, it's often better to change the pouch rather than repeatedly "burping" it.
- A two-piece system can make it easier to replace the pouch quickly when the filter stops working.

4. Practical Techniques:
- "Burping" the pouch, or briefly opening it to release trapped air, can be a quick fix. However, some people prefer to change the bag instead.
- It's normal to have some gas, but if the pouch reaches "football" size, it might mean the filter is blocked or that diet and air-swallowing are contributing factors.