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May 19, 2012

Folding and Tucking Tips for Hollister Bag Rat Tail?

This topic is about finding ways to keep the tail of a Hollister drainable pouch, often referred to as the "rat tail," neatly folded and out of sight. The tail can become loose and dangle, which can be both irritating and noticeable depending on what you're wearing. Here are some practical tips and insights shared by others to help manage this issue:

1. Velcro Dots/Strips
- Use sticky-back Velcro dots or strips. Attach the soft side to the body of the pouch and the hook side to the tail. Fold and press them together to keep the pouch shorter.
- These are easy to find in the craft section of most superstores and are considered a simple, long-term solution by many.

2. Tape Solutions
- Apply a 2-inch strip of tape, like brown waterproof Band-Aid-type or medical tape, to the pouch body. Then, tape the folded tail to this strip. This method keeps adhesive off the tail itself and allows for easy retaping.
- This approach is useful for very long tails or when the tail tends to catch on clothing.

3. Rubber-Band Shortening Method (for Hollister high-output pouches)
- Thread a rubber band through one of the belt holes on the pouch ring and hook the other end around the plastic tail clamp or tap. This shortens the bag by about 3 inches without reducing its capacity.

4. Support Garments / Wraps
- Consider using the Carefix StomaSafe Classic ostomy support garment, which is a stretchy gauze tube with slots and a bottom drain opening. It is washable, reusable, and allows the pouch to expand while keeping both the bag and tail contained and hidden below the waistline.
- These are available in 3-packs on Amazon for about $20-25.
- Alternatively, generic medical abdominal wraps or a cut-down cotton tube-top can also help hold the tail flat. Some people use these primarily for hernia prevention but find they also help control the tail.

5. "Let it Hang" Approach
- Some people prefer to leave their shirts untucked and let the pouch swing freely, finding it more comfortable and hassle-free.
- Hollister curved closure clips are mentioned as easy to fasten and unlikely to snag.
See full discusison
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