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Swimming with an Ileostomy? Need advice...

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Posted 8/23/2010 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
I just had ileostomy surgery in June and had alot of adhesions cut out and left alot of open wounds. My wounds have healed and now I'm planning on going to the beach for Labor Day weekend.

I haven't been away from home with my ileostomy and I'm wondering also about going swimming with an ileostomy bag. I bought a one piece swimdress swimsuit. Will it hurt my stoma if the suit is tight compared to my normal clothing?

Does anybody have any advice with swimming and an ileostomy?
Posted 8/23/2010 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
No it won't hurt your stoma. When driving I used to have the seat belt over my stoma, but I bought one of those metal I looking things to it would hold the seat belt away from my stomach (it annoys me)

also sure seals. Take some imodium before you go swimming (3 imodiums for me and my out put will stop for a good 5 hours or so.) also empty before swimming.
Posted 8/24/2010 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry, but what medal things are you talking about?  My seatbelt annoys me, too, and gets in the way of my stoma.  I'm always afraid of squishing it. rolleyes

butterfly

Posted 8/24/2010 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
No, it won't hurt your stoma...I wear Spanx and still function and that is soooo much tighter than a swim suit shocked

I wear a Two Piece Tankini with a skirt...easy to empty and hides everything perfectly!

Don't worry about your stoma, it'll do just fine smilewinkgrin

Most importantly...have a GREAT time smurf
Posted 8/24/2010 12:19 AM (GMT 0)

Thanks to both of you for posting back.  My surgery and recovery has taken alot out of me.  I am so anxious to go to the beach and want to have some FUN time..It's been a long time since I've done that. 

I return to work on Wednesday for 2 weeks part-time, before I return full-time.

butterfly

Posted 8/24/2010 12:59 AM (GMT 0)
I swim all the time. I wear a one piece with a bright pattern over the stoma area. I definitely use sure seals! LOVE THEM!

I wear tight clothes on my stoma all the time. The only time it's bothered, is if I wear jeans for a long time-10+ hrs. I can tell the stoma isn't happy. But, it rests and is fine the next day.
Things used to bother me more in the beginning. Not anymore. But, I do use a convex wafer, and that seems to add protection.
Posted 8/24/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
You see them with baby car seats. Locking clip I think is what its called.
Posted 8/24/2010 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
Butterfly,

Sooooooo glad to hear from you and that all turned out well. You got your normal ileo rather than the leg bag and you made it. The doc's morbid letter did not come true. YEAH!

I ordered an ostomy suit from Whiterose Collection in England. It's a one piece with an inner pouch that you drop your pouch into so your pouch doesn't come down the leg of the suit. It's a normal looking suit. Got many compliments on it.

Use Hy Tape or sure seals around the white part of your wafer to make that water proof. Then go have fun. I'm so happy for you.

Also don't put a seat belt across your stoma and take any chances damaging it. You have gone through way to much to do that. Just go to your local auto store and get a clip that you put on the seat belt high on the belt and it raises the part that goes across your body to above the height of your stoma.

Again, Congrats and good to hear from you. Rosemary
Posted 10/11/2011 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Butterfly,

I have a little brother 12 years old, he had an ileostomy surgery when he was 11, then shortly after turned 12. Anyways, thats besides the point. The doctors, at CHEO, (Children Hospital Of Eastern Ontario) told my parents that my baby brother could no longer swim in public places. Such as a public pool, and or beaches. He ain't allowed to go to any water parks. The reason for this is because of the toxic... But also because dirty water can cause infection. The flange will lift from the skin and it will pull away, and fall off. The doctors told my parents if he wanted to go swimming, it had to be in our own pool, and it had to be a salt water pool, because its good for the stoma. I was just letting you know what Dr. Bass told my parents.

Sincerely, Beautiful Ladie!
Posted 10/11/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome, Beautiful Ladie,
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with your brother's doctor. I've had an ileostomy for 5 years and go swimming all the time in the ocean, public pool, and at waterparks, and have never had my flange fall off or been sick with an infection.

Can your brother take a bath without the flange falling off? If not, you should shop around for a better product. The flange I use is the Coloplast Assura extended wear #2833 with cloth covered pouch #13986. It has never leaked or fallen off in 5 years, and I only have to change it once a week. :-)
Posted 10/12/2011 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Oh goodness! Your brother has been given some incorrect information. Almost all of us swim on here, in the ocean, in the pool, in the hottub at water parks! There is nothing toxic about your brother and the risk frominfection for him from water is no different because he has an ileo!
The water should never touch his stoma, if his bag is coming off something is wrong and needs to be changed.
Please have your parents read this so your brother can get tohaving fun!
Posted 10/12/2011 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
Heavens we'd all be dead if this happened. The ostomy system is a totally closed system. Put some hytape around the edges of the flange and of course be sure the bag is clicked on tightly and have a good swim. No water can get in. we are hermetically sealed so to speak. Rosemary
Posted 10/12/2011 5:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Beautiful Ladie

The information your doctor gave your family is just plain wrong and it's sad to see such misinformation esp coming from a doctor who should know better.

I've been swimming regularly for 35 years in oceans, public pools etc with my ileostomy. Never ever had a problem. In fact, in a couple of days I'll be going to a beach resort for a few days and fully intend swimming in the ocean and the hotel pool.

See https:// http://www.aeawave.com/linkclick.aspx?fileticket=36pyh4scbri%3D&tabid=199&mid=600 for the truth about people with ostomies and swimming smile

Please let your brother and your parents know that there's absolutely no reason he can't go swimming (or to water parks on water slides, etc). An ostomy is for living, not sitting back and watching everyone else have all the fun smile
Posted 10/13/2011 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Well thank you everyone. My little brothers is for the time being. The flanges he use, are a special type so they won't irate him, he has very sensitive skin. It does fall off when he's in the shower, plus it sometime... well most of the time falls off at night, he gets mad at it. I can understand. My parents feel so bad when he can't go swimming, and do things like the other kids his age. So thank you for the advice and I'll let my parents know, because I think my little brother has the right to have fun like everyone else. Also how long, lets say, if you get a blockage, do you have to stay in the hospital? Usually my brother stays there for 2-3 weeks, and they won't let him come home. Also, how is he suppose to stop the rash from getting so sore... Do you guys have anything to help me out... also is anyone of you, getting reconnected? My little brothers is getting reconnected next month, (we are all thankful for it.) and he doesn't know how long he will be there. Can you give me an estimate length of time? The doctors says its only for like a month maybe a little over two, and my brother doesn't want to miss Christmas. Also, do you guys have a special diet you have to eat?
Posted 10/13/2011 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't get reconnected but most are only in for a few days. And most are only in for blockages for a few days. As for the leaking and the rash llet us know what your brother is using and maybe we can help
Posted 10/14/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, I will let you know what he uses. I'll find out and get back to you on Monday since today is my last day at school, and then i work all weekend. thanks so much for understanding. :)
Posted 5/4/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Beautiful Ladie. I just want to say that your little brother is lucky to have you to support and help him. Your last posting was in October 2011, so I'm hoping everything is fine for him now. But I still wanted to say this. God love you!
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