Dealing with Pancaking in Colostomy Bags - Any Advice?

I've had a colostomy since March. I used to have an ileostomy. I never had a pancaking issue with the ileostomy, but I do with the colostomy. I've tried different things to get everything to fall to the bottom of the bag, but nothing really works. Does anyone have a suggestion on what works for them? Help...

Water, just add some water to your bag. Regards, IGGIE

Have you added some air in your bag? Not on the bottom but around the stoma 

Like Beth22, I add some air into the bag.  I use 2 piece Hollister system, so I do a "reverse" bag burp.  Open up the bag attach flange, pull on the bag to draw in air.  Reseal bag flange.  Works somewhat.  I also use Hollister deodorizer lube.  Also manipulate the bag by rolling the plastic a bit... or squeezing the pancake downward.  When I get too much pancake, change to a new bag.

How does a person add air around the stoma without it just being in the bag wherever? 🤔🤷‍♂️

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Lubricant, air, rinse your bag with water when you empty it, etc. I have noticed that pancaking is worse for me with a new bag on and gets better as the bag ages. My guess is that as the filter gets plugged and becomes worthless, it doesn't suck the bag tight anymore and output can fall better. Also, if I'm sitting when I have output, it's way more likely to pancake than if I go when lying down or standing for the obvious reason that the bag is basically half size when I sit because it gets “folded” between my stomach and leg (if that makes sense).

I don't know if this works, but I have heard some people say to use a little olive oil in your bag. It makes things slide down. Like I said, I don't know if it works or not. I have an ileostomy, so I don't really have pancaking issues.

Olive oil, coconut oil, the only issue is no deodorant in them. :(

My bag occasionally gets "vaccuum sealed" around my stoma.  Happens during the night as I slumber.  Output looks funny sealed up like that.  A new bag is usually the culprit.  Since I use a 2 piece, I crack open the flange a bit, pull on the bag plastic, air is drawn in.  I call it a verp, as opposed to a burp.  

I do it all the time, have since day one. You add some air to the bag and push the air up to where your stoma is. If you do it right, the air in the bag will be just where the stoma is, and the bottom won't have air. It's finding the right amount of air to put in and making sure you push the air in the bag up and not just let it sit anywhere. If you do that, then as you fill up, the plastic will lay flat on the stoma.

I agree with Iggy. I add really warm water and I also manipulate it, pushing it down.
It takes a couple of rinses.

You may want to check out this website:  https://www.ostomycanada.ca/blog/2024/ostomy-pancaking/

In my journey, I learned a couple of tricks that helped prevent pancaking.

When prepping my bag (cutting the right sized hole), I'd put tape over the vents to slow air escape.

Then, I'd smear some bag lube/deodorant all over the area of the bag directly over my stoma.

I'd seal the bottom, then give it a little puff of air just before sticking it on. This often left it ballooned out, so I'd adjust the air content while adding a mix of vegetable oil and bag lube/deodorant. The oil I used to offset the surprisingly high cost of the bag lube, I started with olive oil but learned that store brand vegetable oil performed as well for a fraction of the price.

Finally, I kept individual packets of lube/deodorant in my supply bag so that I could add some if needed while I was at work or wherever else I might be. I also kept a small bottle on hand so I could fill it with warm water on the way to the stall for a bag rinse. A clean bag with lube and air makes all the difference. 

Also, I found that for me, pancaking was a sure sign of low fiber intake. Whenever I experienced pancaking, I'd also adjust my food intake accordingly. 

I still had the occasional mess to deal with, but it wasn't very often. 

I find less pancaking if I drink more water and sweet drinks. I drink at least a gallon a day to keep things soft and moving. dea

Pancaking usually is the result of eating too much of a food that absorbs water or clumps, like a whole banana or a bunch of crackers.

Instead eat more of foods that liquidify upon exit mixed with potentially clumping or drying foods. For instance cereal with milk and sliced bananas. Crackers with cheese and meat etc with a swig of water chewed and swallowed together.

One can use a little water mixed with ones favorite DIY homemade odor mix left in the bag while laying down to keep up around stoma to mix with pancaking material if it appears.