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but what about backwoods swimming/bathing?

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Posted 8/23/2011 10:42 AM (GMT 0)
Saw the thread about backwoods camping--ok, I can do that--but what about swimming out in the backwoods?  I've always blow-dried my flange/bag after a shower/bath...is it ok NOT to do this??  Does it affect weartime-how much?  I'm using the hollister new image w/tape btw.

Reason I ask is because I've met someone who likes to trek for several days, and of course swimming would be the only method of bathing, soooo

Matt

 

Posted 8/23/2011 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hey, Matt! Since I started using Sure Seals, I never blow dry my flange and bag anymore. Most of the water is kept out, and the little bit that might get on the flange dries pretty quickly, so I don't worry about it. Maybe this would be something you could try? Have fun on your adventures!
Posted 8/23/2011 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
Absolutely it is! I've never blow dried my wafer in 35 years, I can't be bothered! When swimming, I just let body heat and the sun dry everything and when out of the shower, I just towel dry my bag (even with the woven cover that Coloplast bags have, it dries well to almost dry ie not enough to worry about) and then I let my body heat dry the wafer naturally.
Posted 8/23/2011 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm the same as Shaz, I don't bother with blowdrying mine either and find it dries very well with just a wipe over with the towel. Theres nothing we can't do with our ileostomy's. Life is good :-) . Enjoy yourself
Doreen
Posted 8/23/2011 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I got a pouch cover made of terry cloth from C and M ostomy supply. It works great, dries it in about 5 minutes, and I can get dressed etc while it's drying.
Posted 8/23/2011 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, Matt, nice to see you!! :-)

It's really personal preference whether you use a hair dryer or other method!

i don't dry mine with a hair dryer...I swear by the Sure Seals (www.alpglobal.com) for the wafer...they are waterproof and breathable so there shouldn't be any skin issues with that. As far as the pouch goes use a micro fiber type towel (like the small ones used for camping that dry really quick) and it should be dry in no time.

If you go online Sure Seal will send you a few samples to try...they take a little time to figure out but once you do, they're not hard at all.

Have FUN!!
Posted 8/24/2011 12:49 AM (GMT 0)

I do have the Dry-Pro http://www.drycorp.com/content/waterproof-ostomy-protector-information/ but it still lets some water in.  It doesn't seem too consistant, sometimes nothing gets in, sometimes tons.  But usually just a bit...enough to get the bottom of the flange damp.

But if so many of you don't even bother drying, I should be just fine :)  I'll be sure to bring along some microfiber towels.  And I'm buying a wetsuit tomorrow and going camping/swimming this wknd for the first time since surgery...I'm a bit scared, but it'll just be the first time, right :P

Matt

Posted 8/24/2011 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
I covered my pouch with Glad Press and Seal for a while after surgery, but then once I started swimming and realized that water didn't really affect my wafer, I stopped. Now I shower with it uncovered all the time. I sewed a terry cloth pouch cover like the one Blueglass mentioned and it does a good job of wicking away the water and helping things to dry quickly. I plan to toss it into my backpack for backcountry trips where I may go swimming. I change my wafers every 3-4 days... for this length of time, water doesn't seem to affect wear time anyway.

Sponge bathing works pretty well in the backcountry too. I have a collapsible wash basin (http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/13) that I fill with water and use a bandanna or washcloth to clean up. Just like back in the hospital:)
Posted 8/24/2011 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
Not to be gross but what if you took it all off and swam out to the middle and back. That would be some kind of freedom.

I swim almost everyday in a lake for about an hour. Train to swim 2,500 m for races, I don't use sure seal anymore more because it seems once the flange is really wet and you start moving around a lot (Bike out of water) the flange just gets looser and starts to leak. If you just lay out and let it dry out it is better.
Posted 9/2/2011 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hey well I'm back from my trip. I did get out camping, canoeing and swimming! The drypro worked perfect with my wetsuit, and I had an overall great experience. Already planning my next camping trip :P

Matt
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