Flying for the First Time with a Stoma: Tips Needed

Anxious about flying for the first time with a stoma. Anyone got any tips?

Get a travel card.

Hey.. Welcome. There's a bunch of flyers on here with stomas.

No need to worry.

I would suggest eating lightly before the flight.

If you have no issues with leakage, use a deodorant in the bag if you need to use the loo on the plane, but otherwise you won't need to worry about it.

Carry wet wipes with you.

Board the plane first when disabled passengers are called. I always do it now. Anyone who gives me grief about it... they'll get a peek at Mr. Stoma... it ain't pretty.

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

That is a good idea. When I was on vacation recently, I got a zip lock bag and put a bunch of wet wipes in there and stuck it in my pocket so I could discretely use them if I needed them. I didn't end up needing them; thanks to Imodium, I was able to go about my day without a worry and empty when I got back to the cabin. Imodium is a good thing. That would be my suggestion too: take some Imodium before your flight.

Here in the US, I tend to let the TSA person know that I have a colostomy by handing them my card that I got from Convatec stating that I have one. You can get them online too. As for emptying onboard, it depends on how long your flight is. I did not have the experience that my bag would inflate with pressure change, which is what I feared; that was a non-issue. I've flown for 2 hours without issue. I am flying a little bit longer later this month, and I'm not concerned. Just always have replacement fixings onboard with you!

They make travel-size wet wipes. You can get a pack at Walmart in their travel supplies aisle for about $1, and there are 15 or so wipes in the pack. Very easy to carry in a pocket, purse, or backpack. Imodium may be good for some, but that stuff would kill (not literally) me.

I just tell the TSA person I have an ostomy. They usually know how to deal with it. If not, I'll just pull up my shirt... right there.

Just did a round trip from the USA to Germany. I let them know at each scan point, and the only extra step was a GSR swab on my hands. I precut my wafers before the trip, so I didn't need scissors. Everything else went through without issue.

I fly internationally a lot...on flights 14 hours or more...and you will hopefully have the same experience I do...and that is you may never need to use the lavatory more than once while in flight. Just eat lightly before traveling. You'll see it's a breeze.

Hi Sally, I have a urostoma and have traveled a lot all over the world. I usually get through the scanner, but not always. I'm asked if I want to go into a private room to be frisked. I say no, go for it. I also explained the situation. No problem.

Here is the most important part about traveling…. I often am vacationing away from home for a month or two, which means I will need a lot of ostomy supplies. (Note: I also have a rare illness for which I have pills that are $535 each. I need to take about 90 of these pills for a two-month trip to be safe if injured. Do the math… $48,150. So now there is a situation, I need a lot of supplies and I carry a lot of costly pills. To do this, I have a camera bag that is for the old video cameras, with side pockets and end pockets, etc. (You can buy them in Walmart.) It will fit under the plane seat by my feet. It never leaves my or my wife's vision. To date, I have never had a problem. If checked at the border, it goes through the X-ray and usually is not opened. If stopped, I just advise them I have a stoma and those are my supplies…… so far so good. Later….. Jim7

Book an aisle seat and have extra supplies handy—not packed in your carry-on wheelie. Eat very lightly. Get a traveler's communication card from the United Ostomy Association in case you have to use the washroom in an emergency.

I have never had an issue with TSA or its equivalents in Canada and Europe. They'll see it on their screens, I'll explain what it is, and they usually give me the pat-down, but then I'm on my way. On the plane and waiting in airports is another story. I made it to Europe and back on a ten-hour flight each way (15 when counting layovers) without issue as well. Maybe I was lucky. But I had a domestic flight from Tulsa to San Francisco once, and with delay after delay and missed connections and even more delays, it was well over 20 hours (it should have been five), and I was not having a good day. Very loose. Just uncertain whether there would be leakage and what to do if there was. The restrooms are busy, and it was more anxiety than I needed. I'm still not comfortable with flying, but overall, things went well. Just anxiety over it. I have blowouts at work and in the car, but on a plane, you are kind of limited. I wish I had an answer myself.

All the comments make sense. I have traveled internationally often with my ileostomy. The minute I step in the airport, my diarrhea starts. I have tried light meals before the trip and Imodium. These help slightly. Eating little or not eating at all on the plane helps too. Putting silica powder in the bag is another help. I have heard eating marshmallows or peanut butter helps too. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. They will not serve enough liquids on the planes. Take your own sports drink.

Always show the ostomy ID at security checkpoints and opt out to skip the scanner. If you go through the scanner, you will still be inspected since the scan shows as if you are hiding something under your clothes. Get a Pre-TSA. Chances are you will not be routed through the scanner on domestic flights.

Taking flushable wipes is another great suggestion. Sometimes lavatories run out of tissues. Get an aisle seat close to the lavatories if you can.

If you don't get diarrhea, you don't have to worry about most things I mentioned here about the same.

You may need to explain to security that you have a stoma. Most understand. I take Imodium before a flight. Don't be reluctant to use the loo; it is better to be safe than sorry.

I travel to Houston every summer to get my grandchildren for the summer. I live in Rhode Island. I have a urostomy. I let TSA know I have an ostomy and also have a card. I keep two setups in my personal bag that goes under the seat. The rest of my supplies are in my carry-on because I stay in Houston for a few days. I have never had an issue.

At Manchester, UK, I put my stoms lanyard on and go through the express security lane. I make up a secure pack of pouches, etc. Plenty of paper towels and toilet roll in the toilet.

No problem.

I've had an ostomy for 61 years now. The only time I've let airport personnel know about it is if there is a pat-down situation. I put my hand over it as I'm saying it. I never had a problem. I think my flying days are over, but I've been to 38 different countries over the years and never had a problem.

Hi Sally. The others before me have provided both reassurance and good advice. I'll just add that my flying issues occurred prior to having my ileostomy! The summer before my November surgery, I took a flight to England. The prednisone (60 mg/day) had lost its effectiveness. I remember just before boarding the flight, my ulcerative colitis kicked in. I had to balance myself in a rather untidy restroom stall, trying not to touch the floor as I changed my pants, Depends, and socks. I was able to maneuver somewhat successfully and made it onto the flight. I ate and drank nothing during the flight, knowing any input would send me immediately into one of the few lavatories onboard the plane. I also had a relatively miserable time in London. The most 'sightseeing' I did was while seated in my hotel bathroom. Anyway, my point being, bring along your supplies and a healthy attitude! You'll be fine...

I recently discovered the value of Immodium, also called Loperamide. I take two a day, and my life has improved radically. A side benefit is that it reduces output by reducing the water content. It really helps.

Take spares. I always have a set of everything I need for a change a day in my hold luggage and a second set in my hand luggage, making sure any aerosols are in my hold luggage. Then, if they lose my hold luggage, I still have a full set. I just did an 8 1/2-hour flight from the UK to Jamaica with no problems.

I just flew cross-country alone for the first time since my ileostomy. I had my Hollister zipper pouch of supplies (that I keep in my shoulder bag), including pouches, a pre-cut wafer, and a small mirror. Do your best to get an aisle seat and, for sure, a pack of wet wipes. Although my go-to was a small empty water bottle that I could fill in any lavatory and "flush" as needed - good luck!

Did you drink all the water so as not to be dehydrated? I'm worried that I won't have 2 liters of salty water to drink on a long flight. My kidneys have stopped working because I didn't drink 2 liters of salty water. This has happened 2 times; both times I spent 5 days in the ICU, and the bill I got for both times was over $93K. Yes, my insurance paid some.

I fly all the time. I make sure the day of everything is new and sealed well. Take supplies in carry-on and enjoy the flight. Don't let your mind overwhelm you. Good luck.

Bring packets like "Liquid IV" or powder "Pedialyte" and don't skimp on hydrating to avoid pouch filling. Dehydration is far worse than a full or even leaky pouch.

Sally, I have been flying now for around 8 years with a bag.

At the start, it was very stressful, but now it's a breeze.

In the past, I had some funny things happen to me; now I laugh about them.

I carry a separate cloth bag with what I need to change the bag, along with around 5 spare bags, etc.

I will forward you a pic of the bag when I get home.

Keep in mind that most airlines allow 2 kg free for medical stuff like stomas.

Get the all-important doctor's certificate to state you have a stoma, etc., to cover you both at the airport and the Gestapo at the airport doing security.

One other thing: if you are using a one-piece bag and need to carry removal spray, cover the little red triangle warning sign. I always use the patch you get in your box of bags; I use Salts.

I sometimes take Imodium about 60 minutes before the flight if concerned, maybe another just before you board.

It's fun; do not be put off, and the best of luck to you, Neil, in Australia 🦘

Can you explain why? I've had one for nearly my entire life, and it never even occurred to me to board early.

This week I just did my first trip after surgery four months ago, flying solo to LA, cruised, then flew back from Vancouver. I left the hubby and dog at home because I needed to see if I could manage alone. I had zero problems, a quick pat down at TSA, no problems boarding the ship through scanners. I carried supplies and blunt scissors in my carry-on with no problems. Honestly, it is easier with my colostomy as you don't have to worry about pooping on the plane. I did check my bag so I didn't have to lift it in the overhead, and I kept my excursions short as I still have some fatigue. But this trip was a clear marker that I am now recovered and can keep on keeping on!

I'd board early just to be sure they don't take away my carry-on due to a full plane. That happened to me twice prior to my stoma.