OMG. In the last year, I have flown 9 times, Japan too. I have TSA PreCheck! Walk right through. I don't have to remove my shoes, and my stoma is plastic. One agent at SAN said, "Oh, you have a stoma; my sister has one."
rlevineia
Feb 24, 2025 5:51 pm
rlevineia
Feb 24, 2025 6:11 pm
Dufus, I love it. Mine is "Little Buddy." When he barks, I just reply: "Say little buddy." - Capt Jonas Gumby
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Posted by: JD90
I am scheduled for my reversal on 12/4. All my pre-admin stuff is completed and my GI signed off on the clearance letter this morning. I am super excited and looking forward to not having a bag. I just hope all goes well and heals well so I don't wake up with a temp bag which will lead to yet another surgery.
I have learned a lot from this website and will continue to be on here even after surgery. To all the ostomates out there, keep your heads up and keep pressing forward. We all have good and bad days. Best of luck to you all.
I will be sure to post my progress after surgery. I'm praying for you all.
BackToCa
Feb 25, 2025 3:28 pm
After 9/11, I used to get flagged and was brought to a room to show them, but it doesn't happen anymore. If they do detect it, they just have me put my hands on the outer layer of my clothes and then swab my hands for explosives. In the US, the trick is to get TSA PreCheck (Global Entry is the best deal), and then you usually go through the X-ray machine rather than the millimeter wave scanner, and the X-ray does not pick up the bag. If you have to go through the millimeter wave scanner, then make sure your bag is empty, and the machine might not pick it up. And yes, you should report your experience to the airport; there is no reason for them to make you expose the bag. Enjoy the traveling!
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A convex ostomy skin barrier can help prevent output leakage and skin issues. Unfortunately, some misconceptions about convexity may keep people with ostomies from using it.
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
Learn about convexity and 4 myths surrounding it.
Borikua610
Feb 26, 2025 8:34 pm
I had a trip from NY to FL flying, and just the stress and anxiety of all the details of getting on the flight and making sure I eat enough was my concern. When I did the TSA check, I did the scanner, and JFK/FL both asked about it, and I flashed them the reason why. I didn't really care about showing anyone because, personally for me, it just doesn't seem like a big deal. I keep my shirt down usually, but for emptying and questions about it, I lift up the shirt and deal with business.
Personally for me, I was in the hospital for months, so a lot of people have seen it, and I've grown accustomed to just keeping a tank top on halfway to keep an eye on the liquid output. Visually seeing it for me is more comfortable than having a shirt over it. But out in public, I do keep the shirt down.
My trip to FL was the first flight in years because I usually just drive everywhere, but after two years of being in the hospital, rehabs, and home not doing much, this was the first flight and away from home feeling, so there were a lot of other things I was worried about besides the bag. I made sure to eat enough, be comfortable in an airline seat instead of a recliner for 2 hours, and the travels to and from the airports. Just to have enough energy to get there was my main concern. Showing off the bag if there were questions was just something to add. My ileostomy surgery was in September 2022, and my first trip after was December 2024. I wasn't allowed to drive or be in public because of infection until October 2024.
You do what feels right, but I would rather not be in a private screening room and just get it over with. I make sure to install a new bag the day before so it'll stay on a little longer than an older bag that is definitely due for a change. Why add the concern of leaking when you prep the day before?
Avoiding Ostomy Bag Leaking | Managing Ostomy Leaks with LeeAnne Hayden
Daddy1
Jun 01, 2025 7:27 pm
I went through Belfast airport last week, and the security guard wanted to see it and wanted to touch it. I refused for him to touch it. I had a doctor's letter, but he called another security guard, and he also wanted to touch it. They took me to a private room, three of them. My wife was not happy, but I had to do it to catch my flight. I emailed the airport when I got through security. They emailed me back and said they would look into it and get back to me. I am not worried about showing it. My son said next time to open it up and let them smell it. Sorry for the long post. Thanks, Peter.
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Using ostomy accessories to create a personalized pouching system can help you prevent leaks and protect your skin.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Learn about the physical and emotional benefits of using ostomy accessories.
Billiesue
Sep 12, 2025 5:07 am
Hi, I go on holiday a couple of times a year and just hate the airports. I use Manchester or Liverpool Airport, and at Manchester, the new scanners pick up everything; the Liverpool ones, not so much at the moment. I end up in their little room every time now and find it quite embarrassing. The staff are quite nice, but when I've questioned it, they always say, "Well, you can be carrying drugs in it." 😤 It's okay when I'm with friends, as they keep their eyes on my luggage, but if I'm on my own, I have to leave it on the scanner belt while they drag me off, which I get quite disturbed about, leaving my money there too. I'll just try to use Liverpool more in the future. I did complain to Manchester Airport but got no reply. Any tips, folks? 😏