Flying in the UK with an ileostomy: Security checks and bag concerns?

Hi all,

What are others' experiences of flying in the UK with an ileostomy?

The specialist assures me it is safe to fly, but why do I get the feeling you have to have been there to really know what it's like?

I'm due to fly next month (internal flight) but am a bit concerned about security checks - presumably my device will show up on the bodyscanner - am I then asked to step into a door for further examination?

I have a card from Charter Healthcare explaining that I wear a device and that it must only be examined in the presence of a qualified medical practitioner, do these cards actually work at airports? If I show the security staff the card, will I be waved through VIP style?

Or will it be another case of "step into this door, sir......"?

Am I worrying about this too much? Do I even have to declare that I have an ostomy?

Also, while on the plane, is there a danger that the bag will balloon? Different air pressure and all that?

The odds are that, if you go through a busy metropolitan airport, the security staff will have been properly trained and will ignore your appliance. Since I had my ileo a year ago, I have been through many airports without incident (including Ben Gurion Airport in Jerusalem where security is maximum). If some security guard decides to pull you aside, be assured he will be a lot more embarrassed than you upon closer examination. Keep in mind that there are a lot of us in general circulation and at airports. Know that you are not unique because of the baggage you wear.

I have flown transatlantic several times with an ileostomy. I have had to explain my ileostomy appliance once and it was fine and not embarrassing to me at all. I did not have to reveal anything.
To me, the worst thing is that for a couple of days following the flight, my innards are more noisy than usual. This never fails to happen. Apparently, something about cabin pressure or sitting around for hours.....Something scientifically inexplicable happens and then it takes a few days for it to work itself out in a rather noisy, complaining way.....otherwise, no problems......whatsoever! Have a great time!

Please let us know how you make out traveling. I'm planning my first flight, since my surgery, in April and I feel a bit nervous about it. I'm thinking maybe fasting the day before.
What do other people do?

Good luck

I have an ileostomy and have flown several times now between Australia and the USA with no problems encountered so far.

I have been through the body scanners and I honestly don't think they can even see it because the only time I had to be patted down or examined was when I actually mentioned I had an ostomy before I went through the scanner. Even that wasn't a big deal, I was happy to inform them!

I just eat and drink as normal on the plane, have never had the bag balloon, and just empty as normal about every 4 hours.

Because mine are such long-haul flights (30-40 hours including flight time/airport changeovers), I try and get into the mindset that I'm just kicking back in a lounge chair watching movies for a day and a half! Certainly makes the time go by quickly!

Primeboy said it perfectly: "Keep in mind that there are a lot of us in general circulation and at airports. Know that you are not unique because of the baggage you wear."

Happy stress-free travels, Scott!

Cheers,
Jo

Hi Holly,

I think fasting is not a good thing to do, particularly with an ileostomy. Your bag will just fill up with gas.    I just eat and drink as normal and have never had problems, even on long haul flights.    And even though the bathrooms are tiny, I have no problems emptying quickly with minimum drama!    

It's understandable being apprehensive, but believe me, once you get that first flight done and dusted, you'll be jet-setting around the world in no time!

Best wishes,
Jo

Thanks everyone for their replies.

Sounds like maybe I've built this thing up to be a worse thing in my mind than it will be in reality.

I'm off to the USA this year and it had crossed my mind how airport security would be....I don't think it helps when we hear about how certain individuals have been treated in the past.
Hope the flight goes okay, Scott...let us know.
XX

Thanks Jo for the info. I don't feel quite as nervous now. I just can't imagine emptying my bag in those tiny bathrooms.
Have been to Perth about 15 years ago but it was such a long haul I don't fancy it again, but who knows after this trip I might look at things differently. Good chatting with you.

I've flown many times since being given the bag and it is all a great big 'no worries'. Nothing happens on the flight because of the cabin pressure, nothing happened at security screening. In fact, it was all just the same as it ever has been before or since bag time. I have flown domestic in the UK and all over Western/Eastern Europe.

Enjoy the flight and have a good time.

I flew for the first time last year after having my surgery in 2008 and I was terrified, but the staff were great. The bag wasn't detected in the scanner and I was patted down too, and they never knew about it. The only people who knew were the check-in staff as I asked about what was okay to take on as hand luggage, as I had sanitizer spray and other bits in my kit.
Please don't worry about this, just relax and enjoy the flight.

Hi all!

Well, I finally completed my first flights since my ileostomy!

I flew domestically in the UK. My journey was made up of four flights in total, taking in a national airport, an international one and a regional one. The flights lasted approximately an hour each (so porbably just shy of four hours flying in total).

The great news is that my fears about being embarassed at the secuity process were unfounded! I always carry a "man bag" around with me carrying a couple of spare bags and some dry wipes to cover for emergencies. My worry was that the security people would take these out in front of everyone, but this didn't happen. I simply popped my bag in the tray to be scanned it came through the other end with no questions asked! I should imagine the guy who operates the security monitor has seen spare ostomy bags before!

My second worry was the security staff picking up on my ostomy bag (and the asking me awkward questions) as they patted me down, but for some reason I wasn't patted down at any of the airports I went through - despite volunteering myself for a good patting down at the international airport - they just didn't want to know me! The regional aiport I went through is notorious for being tight on security but they weren't interested in me.

Before the operation I always (and I mean always) used to get patted down, so in a way I found this a bit strange. Was it pure luck? Was it because I surrendered all my metal objects for scanning before going through? Was it that my shoes didn't have metal in them? Or perhaps, did the guy who oversees the security scanner notice that I was carrying spare bags and did he discretely nod to the patter down people to wave me through to save any embarassement? I honestly don't know the answer, but I'm very grateful things worked out the way the did.

My third concern was the flight and the possibility of cabin pressure making my bag baloon or making my system make rude noises for the rest of the day. I'm pleased to say my fears were again, unfounded on both counts! I could feel a little bit of pressure going through my system, but nothing too bad. After two flights there was a little air in the bag, but not anything uncomfortable. I was wearing a new bag for the flight, I made sure not to get this wet beforehand so the filters would have been working at their optimum and I recommend that others take the same precatution.

I'm very pleased I made the effort, if this experience was anything to go by all my fears were unfounded and I'm now thinking of other destinations I can start to explore! It could be that if I flew longhaul the air pressure situation would affect me more or that on a future occasion I'll be asked those embarassing questions I dread, but I'll just have to deal with those situations in time.

If anyone else was in my situation and worried about flying, please don't be, get the medical clearance from your doctor and then try a short domestic flight, you'll be pleased you did. The World will be your oyster once again!

That's great to hear, Scott, as I know you were concerned about it.... That is it now, you will be jetting off all over the world ..........xx