How Thick should things be?

It can vary a lot due to diet. If it is too liquid, you risk getting dehydrated. For an ileostomy, anywhere from pudding to toothpaste consistency is okay. If I have too much liquid, i will eat rice - that always is a good thickener for me. It can be a delicate balancing act for most of us! Most things are okay if I don't eat too much of it and push plenty of liquids behind it.

Since you are in that first six weeks, you need to be a little more careful about your diet. Try new foods one at a time to be able to see the reaction and don't eat too much of anything - better to eat less and more often. If you are between pudding and toothpaste consistency, you should be okay. You will get better at knowing what to eat and what to avoid. I can now eat just about anything as long as it is in moderation and I drink enough with it. Certain things - especially certain raw or undercooked fruits and vegetables like mushrooms, celery, carrots and things that are hard to digest - always bother me and I avoid them, but everyone is different. i eat nuts and popcorn, for example, and others avoid those. You will learn with time, just don't rush into anything too soon.

We will always need to pay more attention to diet, nutrition and hydration than someone with a colon, but after a while it becomes second nature and it need not run your life. You'll adjust. Just give yourself some time.

Like ddd said just thickness won't cause a blockage, you may feel that pushing out, but it shouldn't stop you up. Sometimes my output is so thick i have to get a water bottle to rinse it out of the bag. And sometimes it is just water. It depends on what you eat and how much you drink. For instance, if I eat apples it's a watery mess, like I just poured a bottle of water in there. If I eat cheese and crakcers it's thick. When I take my iron pill it's this gunky mess that barely moves.
As long as there aren't huge chunks of food in it, it will come out. And if you think it is too thick, drink more or eat a thinning food. After a little while you will learn what does what.

Alive & well- what about this "pancaking" biz? I see some complaining anout pancaking especially when they sleep. I can only sleep well on my back so that is why I ask.

Honestly, I still don't understand what pancaking means and I have had this bag for almost 6 years! So it must not be that big of a deal,lol.