Back in the Pool After 15 Years and It Feels Great!

For the first time in 15 years, I went swimming today and it was great to be back. The last time I went was in a lake in Germany, which is where I lost confidence. It's been over 20 years since swimming in a public pool and I still can't believe I did it. I use Hollister 28200 and it held on with no worries :) It isn't going to be another 15 years, that's for sure :)

Fantastic, good for you! I'm looking forward to the day I can dip my toes in the water again, so I'll take inspiration from you. x

Well I got my inspiration from people on here and other forums. Do hope you do go again soon, I loved it and is great exercise x

Brave brave man! Congrats!!

I've taken the plunge in public pools as well as ocean beaches many times without any problem. I have just 2 common sense caveats: no diving and nothing in the bag. Hollister will hold up. Good luck! PB

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

Great, I went swimming at the beach last summer. I don't see why anyone can't swim in pools or whatever, unless you can't actually swim. :) Well done and keep up the swimming! I'm a Coloplast Sensura user, never ever had a problem. I see an elderly lady where I volunteer, and she swims every day in her 80s. I think the only one stopping us is us. :) XX MOOZA

I agree Mooza, but the thought of having another leak in the water is still frightening :o/ - luckily it was in a lake at the time x

Awww, I see, that sucks, but I would maybe ring some companies, get freebies, or some of those half-moon sticky things to put around the flange. Bugger it, try another company. Hey, I know a surfer too, sooo!!! :) Good luck, hun. x :D

Thanks, Mooza xxx - those days have long ago passed, and now I am confident again with who I use - I go every day now :) Until joining sites like this, I thought swimming was a no-go, so let's spread the word :) xxx

Thats the attitude :) believe me if i could rip mine off to swim i would but i live across the road from the beach so never any probs :)

Swimming is an everyday event for me. I have had a colostomy for 11 years. Recently I found a product to keep the flange (wafer, plate, whatever you want to call it)dry. It is waterproof and keeps leaks trapped. I have been using it for a year now. It is applied to the flange with each change. One would not know it is even there. I discovered them at an ostomy health fair. By contacting the company, you can receive a free sample alpglobal.com I have no connection with this company. I just use their product and find it great for swimming and bathing.

Lovely, you are swimming regularly, Veroz, and there have been waterproof issues for me in the past, but I am happy with my appliance. However, I will certainly be asking for some samples you mentioned; they do sound great. x

wow wonder if you can get them in Australia ??

I don't know if the company that makes the Sure Seal Ring ships to Australia. Send them an email to find out. info@alpglobal.com

Still loving my swimming - go 5 times a week now - but had a mishap yesterday diving into the water. My goggles came off, my shorts were pulled halfway down, and my bag came halfway off :o/ - luckily the bag was still empty, and I managed to sort myself out quickly before getting out of the water - then straight to the changing room. I had no spares with me - tut tut - so had to go home with the flange loose, only held on by a thread. Lesson learned: tie my shorts tighter, wear flange extensions, take spares, and use microskin bags (which I will try soon). Always something gained in mishaps :)