Once everything has settled following stoma surgery, you begin to get an idea of how food, drink, medication etc affect your stoma output. I previously wrote about the impact of different foods on ostomy output in the form of a food diary.

My output is generally quite loose. I have a high output stoma due to the amount of intestine I’ve lost throughout my surgeries, which I manage with a loperamide prescription and a pretty hefty portion of carbs. But it’s not just food that changes my output consistency; what I drink, and my hydration levels do too.

Ballooning

Sometimes, wind accumulation causes my bag to balloon up. As far as I’m aware, all of the bags available have a filter, designed to odourlessly allow this air to leave the bag. Also, as far as I’m aware, none of them actually carry out this function efficiently. Do correct me if I’m wrong – I’d love to know if one exists!

Some people release this air without going to the bathroom; a term affectionately referred to as “burping” their bag. I imagine this technique is useful in scenarios such as being stuck in a traffic jam, or simply not wanting to get out of bed for the sake of air in the middle of the night. Burping is simply pointing the spout upwards and pushing the air out.

Eating little and often can help, chewing slowly with your mouth closed so that you’re not taking in excess air. Carbonated drinks and what you eat will impact how much wind you have. That’s not to say you should cut these out altogether but having them in moderation could help. Common culprits are things like beans, lentils, chickpeas, brussels, broccoli, and cabbage. This is of course by no means an exhaustive list, simply some examples. I’d recommend having a look into it and how your diet measures up if you’re willing to make some changes.

Regular exercise can help too. It certainly does for me. I also enjoy yoga for digestion – it was a lifesaver last Christmas after overindulging! Peppermint is also a go-to for me. I take peppermint capsules before I eat because I really dislike peppermint tea. I hear peppermint cordial works too.

Pancaking and sticky output

Pancaking is when output comes out of your stoma but remains around it rather than dropping into the bottom of the bag. This can occur when the inside layers of the bag stick together, creating a vacuum, or when you wear tighter clothing. For me, it can also happen if my output is irregularly thick and/or sticky for some reason.

If a vacuum is causing the issue, the fix can be quite simple. You just need to ensure there’s always a little air in the bag. After emptying, simply pull the front layer of the bag away from the back layer and then flatten it enough so it’s not ballooned or rustling. If you think your filter may be the culprit, as in it’s letting all of the air out, pop a filter sticker over it.

A lubricant may help your output slide to the bottom of the bag. I’ve heard of people using all sorts, such as liquid soap, baby oil, and cooking oil. Just give it a little squish around to ensure it’s evenly distributed inside.

It’s also possible to manually squish output towards the bottom of the bag.

Gradually increasing your fibre intake and making sure you drink enough water can help with the consistency of your output. If you increase your fibre drastically too quickly, you may end up with wind, causing ballooning.

If it’s continually thick and causing a problem, it’s worth talking to your stoma nurse or GP. They may be able to refer you for dietary advice or prescribe something to loosen it up.

Liquid output

Liquid output is something I regularly have to contend with. It caused bag leaks for me for ages until I discovered gelling sachets. They’re like little miracles; one minute it’s liquid, the next it’s a much thicker gel! They do only work when your output is liquid though, not when it’s just loose.

When I get dehydrated (another con of living with no colon), my stoma often just starts gushing with liquid. This obviously makes the dehydration worse, but it’s soon fixed if I make myself oral rehydration solution. I’m usually pretty good at staying hydrated, but I must admit I can completely lose track of time when I’m gardening, and when the sun’s out, that can really spell trouble. Travelling can also be a problem. I have bladder muscle dysfunction, so when I need to go, I need to go pretty quickly. This can make me anxious and means I sometimes avoid drinking on long journeys if I’m not certain where the next toilets are. We went to Scotland last year and my dehydration completely ruined our first evening. We arrived at the log cabin and promptly went out for food, which is when the gushing started. I was going to the toilet literally every 5 minutes. I couldn’t eat so as soon as my partner had quickly stuffed his face, we rushed back to the cabin so I could make up some oral rehydration solution. This is why I love travelling by coach, so I can use the toilet on it whenever nature calls!

Is there a different kind of output consistency I haven’t mentioned? Let me know!