Hi All, This is a very interesting post, since it shares a lot of personal experiences. Each person is different, and adapts to ostomy management differently. I've had my ostomy for more than 50 years, so my supplies, appliances and products have changed a lot over the years. The one thing that hasn't changed, is that I've never worried about water aroound my wafer ( even in the olden days). The first thing I wanted to do, the first summer after my surgery was get back to the beach, and swimming in the ocean. I'd been sick for 4 years, and hospiatlized for most of the year when I was 15.. I've f ound, more important than water getting on the wafer, is the quality of tape one uses. I am extremely allergic to all but the the newer / non adhesive tapes. ( get hives, and lesions - gross) from other tapes. Or the pull off my very damaged skin, when removed.. The best one I've ever used is " Scanpore".. I taped all around the edges of the wafer, and the tape dried, just like skin. When it became unavailable through the insurance company, I tried some of the Micropore brand tapes, but they don't hold up as well, and I often have to replace it.. But I've always been able to shower daily, swim , in the ocean or pool, and even go snorkeling.. The only time i've had a problem is when I went into the dead sea in Israel....where the very salty water, caused my pouch to detach from the wafer. That was a mess....but I managed to get cleaned up, because the wafer was still on my body... Best of luck to everyone..
Marsha