Help Needed: Solutions for Pancaking with Colostomy

This is my first post. Hello to everyone. Please, can anyone suggest a cure for pancaking? I had a Hartmann colostomy about two years ago and have tried all ways to solve this pancaking problem. Most times, I have to change both parts of the Hollister 2-part system daily. I've tried Coloplast convex, all to no avail. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

G-Day dmjgatos,

First, it's probably the type of food you eat. Second, if you do get pancaking, all you have to do is open the end of your drainable bag and put about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water in it, then close the end of the bag and swish the water around in the bag. Then, empty the bag as normal, and it will remove all the pancaking. But check what you're eating. Starchy food like bread, rice, potatoes, and also drink lots of water—2 liters a day is good for you—but you also need electrolytes in the water.

Regards, IGGIE

Yes, to what IGGIE sez…I might add, no one likes to be “full of hot air,” but in the case of our bags, they need a little air to allow the output to yield to gravity. I also put a few drops of baby oil in the bag, making the interior much like Teflon, creating a shizz-slide….good luck, and I hope everything comes out alright….jb

I have an ileostomy, but pancaking is sometimes a problem for me, especially if I eat sweet potato or squash soup or something like that. There are products you can buy, lubricants, that help the poo fall down into the bag instead of pancaking. Also, as said above, drink plenty of water and electrolytes too, not just plain water all the time. Sugar-free or low-sugar sports drinks are good. You can even mix them with water so that you get both. I drink Gfit. I don't know if you can get that where you are. It's a good drink. You might want to avoid certain foods or limit them if you notice that when you eat something, it causes pancaking. It can help to keep a food diary for a while to see what you eat and the impact on your output. I think, though, sometimes with a colostomy, pancaking happens more often than with an ileostomy. But there are some good tips above for what to do, and I hope I have helped you some too.

Definitely air and oil, like others said. I might add to not wear any clothes that fit too snugly across your stoma. When I notice my output is thicker than normal and heading towards pancaking, I discreetly put my fingers under the band of my pants and gently push it down and away from my stoma. It's a little harder to do in public; you don't want to get any unwanted stares from people who wonder what you're doing. In that case, I push the output away from over the top of my pants.

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Since you are using a 2-piece system, you might try removing the bag and cleaning away the pancaking before it starts getting under your appliance.

I use closed-end bags, and this has helped me. The trick is to notice it before it gets too bad. Not easy.

The easiest solution is prevention by loosening the stool a bit. Look at what you're eating. Drink more water and stop anything like loperamide that thickens output. Too much sugar can also cause problems. Things like apples and coffee loosen me up quite a bit. My husband has had success with probiotics. Maybe keeping a food diary for a time would help.

Pancaking is the bane of my existence. Like most problems with output from my colostomy, what works for some doesn't work for me. It's all trial and error, with diet being the biggest factor for me. I prefer my output slightly thick, so if that means more pancaking, oh well!

Hollister has a lubricant packet that you can add to your pouch. It's #78501. Perhaps you can get some samples from them.

Ditto what Iggie and the others said. I also pour water down the bag and swish it around. But if I feel it coming out and I can get to the bathroom, I take my bag off and wipe it away with toilet paper or a wipe. I also take Mylanta to help thin out my output. I drink about 120 oz of water daily and make sure I chew my food really well. I hope that is helpful 🙏🏻