Pancaking Prevention Tips | #Stoma Life | #Coloplast Brava

Pancaking Prevention Tips

Let me first tell y'all - it wasn't easy editing this video LOL! I initially recorded 20 minutes total and knew that was not what I wanted to upload so some cuts are on the living room floor LOL but I hope if anything is unclear, or if it is even, we'll have some good discussion about WHAT to do about this PANCAKING! Meh!

So then...WHAT is Pancaking?
When output gets stuck & collects at the top of the pouch, around the wafer. Generally this is not an issue if you are an ileostomate and primarily have thin output - like watery. But yet we still do struggle with this issue. Especially when we may need to up our hydration or increase insoluble fiber. For starters...

WHY is this a challenge?
The longer the output stays there and doesn’t move towards the planned exit, The more chances it will corrode your barrier ring or wafer possibly leading to a leak.
It can get heavy too and if you don’t wear a belt to help support your abdominal muscles and the appliance itself the heavier it gets we could risk complications like hernias. Though it can really be an issue if we are carrying around too much water in our pouch, so I consider this secondary problem for us ileostomates, but colostomates have thicker output and may struggle more in this area. I read recommendations are to empty when pouch is one third to one half full. Of course if it’s Pancaking, I rinse/empty soon as I see it.

Possible reasons:
- [ ] Clothes too tight at stoma site (and thick output)
- [ ] Stomach sleeper (and thick output at night)
- [ ] Filter?
- [ ] Diet?
- [ ] Hydration low?

Possible solutions (**NOT a substitute for medical advice):

- [ ] Disable filter with the sticky that comes with the pouches or medical - maybe Hy “pink” tape.
- [ ] Bag needs a little air to separate bag’s front & back sides from each other.
- [ ] Use an oil (OTC at your own risk) or Brava lubricant (designed specifically for odor control and making the inside slippery).
- [ ] Increase insoluble fiber (at your own risk…test the waters slowly, get medical clearance).
- [ ] Don’t eat within 3 hours of bedtime. Give or take.
- [ ] Increase (slightly) thinning output foods & beverages. Coffee is a good option if you drink it. NSA foods & drinks too BUT these can also be dehydrating. Electrolytes drinks can help balance.

I’m in the same boat. I’m a little over four years into this now and still trying different things but the most success that I’ve had has been:

1. Brava liquid deodorant lubricant and…
2. After empty (and rinse for me), blow a little bit of air into the bottom end of the pouch. I don’t want a balloon bag but just enough to separate the front from the backside of the pouch. Output, with the use of lubricant, tends to slide right on down to the bottom.
3. While I do wear wraps, I don’t wear anything too tight around my stoma. If I find that a pair of jeans or leggings might be too tight, I will wear my pouch on the outside, use a stoma cover, and wear a long shirt.

If you’ve found this video to be helpful, please consider liking and subscribing (hit that bell 🔔 too) so that you can get new videos in your feed as soon as they drop AND so that YouTube will share with others it may help too. Thanks!

Karah

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PRODUCTS I Use:

- [ ] #ConvaTec #Natura Moldable Wafer 411802, Natura Pouch 416418. Mini pouch info: the old number was 416408 but it was discontinued by ConvaTec for a new 6” with a filter. Unfortunately, the new product number is not legible on my samples. You can order these as sample using that old number for reference but you’ll need to call them.
- [ ] #SensiCare adhesive remover wipes & spray
- [ ] #Coloplast #Brava #deodorant (for inside pouch)
- [ ] Hollister Adapt stoma powder
- [ ] 3M #Cavilon skin prep wipes & spray
- [ ] Doggie bags (from Dollar Tree) to dispose of used appliance & cleaning supplies
- [ ] Viva Signature Cloth paper towels
- [ ] #Hy Tape (pink)
- [ ] Huggies Natural Care baby wipes
- [ ] #Coloplast #Brava Elastic Strips; “Y” - 120721 & “C” - 120700

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CREDITS:

Videoleap Unlimited app: video editing & audio tracks (in order of appearance): “New Direction”

Canva: miscellaneous graphics, gifs & thumbnails (currently utilizing free version!)

Apple: video capture & photos (iPhone 11)

Lighting: UBeesize Ring Light Set (was a gift but was told available on Amazon :-)

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UOAA’a reference guide for eating: https://www.ostomy.org/diet-nutrition/

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