Hi Raine, Most if not all of us will have to empty our bag at night. Having a cut of point early evening and not eating late is some thing may be to look at. Have to ask are you may be eating less during the day and most of your meals are later on.

Hi Raine, 

I will (eventually) cover this topic in an article/video. 

I completely understand your frustration right now - I recall needing to empty my bag through all hours of the night during the first year after surgery. 

A few strategies that may help:

• Eat your last meal earlier in the day. I honestly find this impractical but many swear by it.
• Eat smaller meals, rather than a few large ones.
• Limit certain foods that you know cause your bowels to become more active. A food diary can help.
• Set a timer overnight so can empty your bag before it (unexpectedly) gets full. 
• Explore a product like the Ostomy-I ( http://www.11health.com/ostom-i). I haven't used this product, but I've heard a lot about it.

More important is to be patient. 

Hi Raine...My first year was the most challenging.Never thought to look at the computer for help. I love Erics site and talk about it also. I have learned so much from him. I watch all the videos I can & am still re-watching them. I learn something new every time. As far as getting up so much at night it is common until things settle down with healing. I struggled for ideas and without help figured things out on my own, 12 years now. I kept that food and output journal until I saw a pattern. I ate smaller meals several times a day. I eat my bigger meal by three in the afternoon. Melon fruits in the early evening, about five pm, high water content. Crackers and cheese. In the later evening if I feel hungry I will eat something that sort of absorbs fluid...pretzels, toast, that sort of thing. I limit the amount of junk food seriously. Tapioca pudding works well with me.I try not to eat about three hours before bed. I will drink milk if I get hungry, but avoid fluids two hours before bed, crackers mostly instead of bread due to bloating and gas. I follow serving sizes on the side of packages so I try not to eat too much as that means I am up more also. Feeling satisfied verses full. You will figure those things out by keeping a journal. I know it is a pain  but so worth it. I kept one in the kitchen to mark what I made and eat, and the one in the bathroom not letting me forget to write things down. Then daily comparing the two.I also wrote the time of day I ate and had to empty and checked the bag to see if I recognized what is in it. Watery, thicker...too thick. Too thick can beam bedtime pancaking. I learned to chew and chew and chew my food. Medications can sometimes cause reverse affects.Work with your doctor on this as mine was extremely supportive knowing I am not the text book patient. Check that out. It will be trial and error for a bit but it was worth it for me. The next big thing I have recently done is to purchase the Osto EZ Vents ...(https;//www.amazon.com/gp/product/BOO7AZ3KUA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_0o) and attach them to my bags. I can let gas out at night without fully waking and my sleep is so much better then ever. I use a flashlight to see what I am doing and keep hand sanitizer close. You can  help Erics site through an order from there I believe. I am not computer literate, but am learning so check with him how. My next step is my first charge card (I am 60) so I can order thru amazon also. Much cheaper then what the drug store charges me.  I thought the built in vents were great lasting barely 24 hours, these things are amazing! Good luck and be encouraged. Let us know what you figure out, we may learn from you.