Swimming in the Ocean with an Ileostomy?

Replies
8
Views
1535
Ritz
Sep 28, 2020 4:47 pm

Ok... I'm an ileostomy gal for a year now, lost my husband a couple of months after my surgery. I'm owning it... but I was afraid to go into the ocean. I've only been in my pool once out of fear. Does anyone go in the ocean to swim? I love the waves... PS... I named myself on here Ritz... I love those crackers!

xnine
Sep 28, 2020 5:19 pm
Very helpful

I have been in the ocean many times in Puerto Vallarta. If your bag looks tight on land, it will stay tight in the ocean. I use a life jacket. I do not swim much but love to jump in the waves. I use Brava strips for extra security. I also wear a wrap. Go for it, have fun.

Gray Logo for MeetAnOstoMate

Justbreathe

MeetAnOstoMate website turned out to be a lifesaver for me. I say this because, for me, this ostomy journey was a devastating event both physically and mentally.
Here, I found folks who understood my feelings even better than my family or friends could. Only a fellow ostomate can understand how you really feel.

Information sharing is key, as well as support and understanding, to ultimately bring more harmony into our ostomy life journey. I found here, virtually no ostomy questions that are not touched upon. Questions which some might feel, may be too trivial to contact a doctor about or even too shy or embarrassed to ask their own doctor about. They are all addressed here.

For me, anonymity was very helpful in seeking answers to each phase of this life changing medical and mental event. Sharing initial trauma feelings, ongoing support and finally acceptance was what I found with my membership here. I am not sure what my mental and physical attitude would be today without having found this site.

Additional benefits included: finding products and ideas to help with daily maintenance, innovative ideas and as a bonus - some great humor.
After all “laughter IS the best medicine”.

I have been a member for 3 years, an ostomate for 4 years - yes, I certainly wish I would have found it immediately after surgery but so very thankful I finally found it when I did as I truly believe it turned my troubled depression and situation into a more positive attitude and acceptance.

Sincerely,
An Ileostomate nicknamed Justbreathe 🫶🏼

Ritz
Sep 28, 2020 6:00 pm

What is a wrap?

Bill
Sep 28, 2020 6:02 pm

Hello Ritz.  As Xnine says - just go for it and enjoy yourself. What's the worst that can happen?  - Rest assured it's unlikely to happen.

Best wishes

Bill

xnine
Sep 28, 2020 6:24 pm

Wrap is a bandeau or tube top. There are other things called wraps but that is what I use. Also a tummy sleeve from maternity shops.

 

Words of Encouragement from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

Play
w30bob
Sep 28, 2020 7:52 pm
Very helpful

Hi Ritz,

Never had any issue with the ocean other than always going to the beach on stupid hot days where I sweat like a pig if I wasn't in the water. I've had more issues with adhesion (or lack thereof) from perspiration than from being in the pool or ocean. I have to say that whenever I hear that expression of Bill's....ie "What's the worst that can happen"....I have to laugh. I have a lot of stories to tell because of not thinking through that saying. But hey......you only live once.....and the stories are funny......later on. Jump in.

Later,

Bob

Puppyluv56
Sep 29, 2020 12:58 am

Hey,

I have a pool in my backyard and get into it almost every day in the summer. I do not have any issues with it. I do use a filter cover to help the filter continue to work. I also cruise and snorkel in the ocean in the Caribbean. I have never had any issues there either. I do not wear anything other than my normal bathing suit. I save one-piece suits for home because they are just too hard to get up and down, especially once they are wet. Wouldn't a zipper be super at an appropriate place to empty your pouch! I wear either a skirt-type bottom or swimming shorts. Both work well. My top is always something with ruffles to hide not only my ostomy but that little fat roll I tend to get! Lol
Dive right in! Everyone is different, so be prepared with extra supplies in case you need them, but I have never needed to use mine and even forget to take them with me sometimes.

Good luck,

Puppyluv

xnine
Sep 30, 2020 11:03 am

Ritz and tomato soup. Yum

Ritz
Sep 30, 2020 1:01 pm

Funny - very funny....na