Hi,
I was on my high school swimming team long, long ago.
But now, wearing an ostomy bag, I'm afraid to. I don't want to have any leakage into the pool.
Any ideas of how to prepare for pool or beach swimming?
Thanks,
Rod
Hi,
I was on my high school swimming team long, long ago.
But now, wearing an ostomy bag, I'm afraid to. I don't want to have any leakage into the pool.
Any ideas of how to prepare for pool or beach swimming?
Thanks,
Rod
The only thing I can say is there are all kinds of videos on it, just Google. I haven't been in a pool in quite awhile since all this nonsense of cancer treatments started. Being on chemotherapy and dealing with rectal cancer, I was running to the bathroom constantly...no possibility of being in a pool during that. Having surgery and hardly being able to move...no possibility of being in a pool til that healed. Dealing with a radiation wound that wouldn't heal and having to go through HBO treatments, I had to get tubes put in my ears(which I only recommend if they knock you out for the procedure)...no possibility of swimming with tubes, gotta wait for them to come out. I love water and being on a lake but it's been so long, I may have start over and doggy paddle for awhile. 🏊♂️ The only solid advice I have is if you see 💩, swim like hell cause it's chasin' ya. 😂 Good luck, great activity.
Hi Rod,
I've had my ostomy for almost four years and I use my swimming pool all summer long and have never had a leak or issue whatsoever. If you have good supplies and a good fit to your stoma, you shouldn't have a problem in the water.
I went to Turks & Caicos last May and was in the ocean all day long and didn't have any issues other than the fact I needed to change my appliance more frequently because after all the time I spent in the water it did loosen up the wafer.
I am a beach girl and love my pool so I would never give that up if you love the water.
I think once you try it and see, you'll feel more comfortable.
Best of luck to you,
😇
Hi knobby,
I too have a pool and use it all summer long. Now I don't stay in it for hours, or do any agressive swimming or diving.......but I've never had a problem either. I do wear a belt and wouldn't swim without it, but that's just me. If you have good adhesion, and aren't having leaks now........being in the water won't make much of a difference.
If you're not comfortable........just take it slow. Go swimming for a few minutes and if all is good, extend the time you're in the pool. If you wear your barrier for a long period of time normally, I'd suggest you swim at the beginning of the period and not on the last day, when adhesion might be going away already. So it's trial and error at a rate you're comfortable with. I don't think anyone on here has ever posted having problems swimming, but I've only been on here for about 7 years. And it's also possible I missed it or forgot about it. But I've always been concerned myself about swimming..........and haven't heard of, or had a problem myself.
regards,
bob
Hi Knobby i,ve had my ilieo. for 30 some years and never had a leak swimming or sitting in a hot tub, i use nexcare pink waterproof tape around my wafer and that has never failed.
AlexT wrote: The only thing I can say is there are all kinds of videos on it, just Google. I haven't been in a pool in quite awhile since all this nonsense of cancer treatments started. Being on chemotherapy an... |
Thank you Alex, great suggestions!
Hello, my name is Phyllis and I have had an ileostomy for about 30 years. I have traveled around the world with it and have gone swimming with NO PROBLEMS. The company that makes the procuct I use, Convatec, even made a video of me. Here is the link to that video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q1KP5wpWugARBh6lb9Zb2mIajMmvEtHh/view
PLEASE DO NOT be afraid to swim with your ostomy because I swam all over the world with mine and had absolutely no problems.
Good luck to you,
Phyllis Rovner
Earth Angel wrote: Hi Rod, I've had my ostomy for almost four years and I use my swimming pool all summer long and have never had a leak or issue whatsoever. If you have good supplies and a good fit to your stoma, y... |
Thank you, Earth Angel. Sounds like I just have to jump into the pool. Fear is the enemy of progress.
w30bob wrote: Hi knobby, I too have a pool and use it all summer long. Now I don't stay in it for hours, or do any agressive swimming or diving.......but I've never had a problem either. I do wear a be... |
Bob, sounds like I've been missing the fun. Time to get going! Thanks!
provner wrote: Hello, my name is Phyllis and I have had an ileostomy for about 30 years. I have traveled around the world with it and have gone swimming with NO PROBLEMS. The company that makes the procuct I use,... |
Phyllis, inspiring video. If we want to live live, all we have to do is live life. Thanks!
ron in mich wrote: Hi Knobby i,ve had my ilieo. for 30 some years and never had a leak swimming or sitting in a hot tub, i use nexcare pink waterproof tape around my wafer and that has never failed. |
Ron, thanks for sharing your info. And, especially the nexcare pink waterproof tape!
Hello,
I am exactly one year in, and was approved to do my hot tub at 6/7 months in. If doing a hotter body of water like that, just make sure to have another pouch set up to change if the heat dissolves your adhesive! But I have never had an issue with swimming or hot tub. Zero accidents... I swim, I am a beach pool person... it's my way of life! I got a swimsuit bottom that will hold my pouch in place and no one is the wiser.
so I say enjoy! Just have a change ready to go nearby if needed!
https://www.ostomysecrets.com/collections/mens-swim
happy holidays!
mikamouse wrote: Hello, I am exactly one year in, and was approved to do my hot tub at 6/7 months in. If doing a hotter body of water like that, just make sure to have another pouch set up to change if the heat di... |
Thank you Mikamouse - proud of you for jumping right in!
AlexT wrote: The only thing I can say is there are all kinds of videos on it, just Google. I haven't been in a pool in quite awhile since all this nonsense of cancer treatments started. Being on chemotherapy an... |
I've had an illeostomy for 45 years and never had an issue. I do use waterproof tape and wear a bathing suit that covers up my bag. Don't let it alone hinder you enjoying life.
Earth Angel wrote: Hi Rod, I've had my ostomy for almost four years and I use my swimming pool all summer long and have never had a leak or issue whatsoever. If you have good supplies and a good fit to your stoma, y... |
The same for me.
Summer is swimming first of all for me and I never miss an opportunity to swim in the cottage lake, usually I swim in fitness club in winter.
This summer I received a lake bacteria in the area of my stoma, but nobody can prove, that it was from the lake. My stoma nurse informed me that for many years of experience she never saw that bacteria penetrates throw stoma supplies from outside water...
Nothing can stop me from swimming 🤪
I swim all the time and wear my regular pouch and wafer. The Convtec Durrahesive wafer works great. When swimming . The key is to picture frame your wafer with pink tape which is waterproof. It holds up very well and I leave the tape on for a full week when vacation in the Carribean and swim daily. The pink tape is great stuff and swim all that you want. Randy
Rod, if you are confident with your pouching system, you don't need to do anything different. I have been swimming laps at our YMCA for at least 35 years three times a week with an ileostomy. I don't do anything special to swim.
Ilia wrote: The same for me. Summer is swimming first of all for me and I never miss an opportunity to swim in the cottage lake, usually I swim in fitness club in winter. This summer I received a lake bacter... |
Thank you; another encouraging report!
Vermonter wrote: I swim all the time and wear my regular pouch and wafer. The Convtec Durrahesive wafer works great. When swimming . The key is to picture frame your wafer with pink tape which is waterproof. It hol... |
Thanks Vermonter.
I use Convatec and have some of the pink Hy-Tape.
So, now I have no excuses!
TEA17 wrote: Rod, if you are confident with your pouching system, you don't need to do anything different. I have been swimming laps at our YMCA for at least 35 years three times a week with an ileostomy. I d... |
Hey Tea, I wasted the last 4 1/2 years, avaoiding the water. Well, no more.
Thanks,
Rod
Ilia wrote: The same for me. Summer is swimming first of all for me and I never miss an opportunity to swim in the cottage lake, usually I swim in fitness club in winter. This summer I received a lake bacter... |
Gotta forget the Winter and just go swimming,
Thanks!
rross613 wrote: I've had an illeostomy for 45 years and never had an issue. I do use waterproof tape and wear a bathing suit that covers up my bag. Don't let it alone hinder you enjoying life. |
Ross, good advice! Thank you, Rod
provner wrote: Hello, my name is Phyllis and I have had an ileostomy for about 30 years. I have traveled around the world with it and have gone swimming with NO PROBLEMS. The company that makes the procuct I use,... |
Love your story Mrs phyllis what a beautiful story love your video and you travel to my birthplace Trinidad and Tobago. Thank you.
provner wrote: Hello, my name is Phyllis and I have had an ileostomy for about 30 years. I have traveled around the world with it and have gone swimming with NO PROBLEMS. The company that makes the procuct I use,... |
Love your story Mrs phyllis what a beautiful story love your video and you travel to my birthplace Trinidad and Tobago. Thank you.
knobby wrote: Phyllis, inspiring video. If we want to live live, all we have to do is live life. Thanks! |
I'm so glad you liked the video of me. Actually, I shared it with a neighbor who teaches in the medical school here at Ohio University and she is going to use my video in one of her classes. I always want to and love to help people and hope my video helped you.