Hi all,
I am getting ready to go on an airplane. Does anyone have tips on what to do ?
chopperandme710
Jan 28, 2024 9:13 pm
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Posted by: iMacG5
About seven years ago, just about every aspect of my life was ostomy related. From the moment I was told an ostomy might be needed until some months down the road I existed as a person afflicted with a colostomy. I feared someone other than my immediate family might find out I had a bag. Ugh! What could be worse? Suppose it filled real fast when I was out with no place to hide and take care of myself. God forbid should it leak in church! Suppose I roll over on it in bed. I was a lesser creature, destined to a life of emotional anguish and physical routines different from most of the rest of the world. I felt like a freak. Then I found folks like you guys here, read your stuff, really “listened” to what you had to say and I began looking at things differently. We know perception is everything and I began to understand how good things were relative to what they could’ve been. So many folks had it so much worse than I did. That didn’t make my discomfort go away but it exposed how fortunate I was to be dealing with my stuff and not their’s. I felt a little guilt, maybe selfishness but quickly forgave myself by understanding I just wasn’t smart enough to fix my feelings. Then, I wonder what smarts have to do with feelings. My perception was warped so my perspective toward my existence was warped.
I learned over the last few years with the help of lots of folks right here at MAO that I could be better at living just by accepting some facts. It is what it is and so what? It’s not the worst thing to happen to a person.
I think everything is, in some way, related to everything else. I just put the ostomy thing in the back seat and drive forward.
Respectfully,
Mike
Morning glory
Jan 28, 2024 11:59 pm
I hope you have packed plenty of your supplies and a change of clothes in your carry on bag. I assume this is the question you are asking for. Have a good trip.
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Hollister
In addition to your pouching system, you may require the use of an ostomy accessory to enhance the performance of your system.
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
Learn more about ostomy accessories, and when to use them.
Beachboy
Jan 29, 2024 12:09 am
Precut a couple of wafers and have them in your "carry on." TSA might give you a hard time about ostomy scissors if in carry on luggage.
I travel internationally quite a bit. Foreign airport security is much different from USA. I've been detained many times.
Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister
chopperandme710
Jan 29, 2024 1:50 am
Thank you morning glory, I'm a actually on my way to North Carolina to visit my parents.
jansarirn
Jan 29, 2024 3:38 am
Wonderful book about traveling with ostomy called Yes We Can! By Barbara Kupfer et al. I used it when traveling to Mexico as a new ostomate. Some good tips; don’t pack twice as much as you need, pack three times as much as you need. You can pack all your medical equipment in a carry on, let them know when you check in and it will be labeled as medical/cabin. It will stay with you and will not be charged or counted as an extra carry on. Also web site where you can print out a card from the American Ostomy Association to notify that you have a medical condition covered by ADA. Have fun!
IGGIE
Jan 29, 2024 11:25 am
I recommend that you put all your supplies in your carry on bag. If you put most of it in the bag that goes in the hold and they loose it your in trouble. take it all on board. Regards IGGIE
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Hollister
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ron in mich
Jan 29, 2024 2:25 pm
Hi Chopper i precut a bunch of wafers and along with the pouches and tape and seals/rings in a large ziplock bag and marked it ostomy supplies and put it in my carryon bag, also did the same for meds and tsa didnt look twice at them and passed them through.
Past Member
Jan 30, 2024 1:40 am
I just flew last week. no issues taking scissors through TSA, they just have to have blades less than 4”. if the belt is too snug across your ostomy, you can ask for a belt extender to give yourself more room if you’re not in the emergency exit. otherwise pack supplies in your carry on.
I did get an extra pat down at the larger airports because my bag pinged the scanner even though i had an ostomy card and told them about it prior, so just know that’s a possibility.