Advice for Trekking in Nepal After Surgery

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Sruch
Mar 22, 2025 4:28 pm

It's been a year since I left my colon at the hospital and have been blessed with overall good health. I am very active with hiking, biking, skiing, and embarking on a 3-week trip to meet my son in Nepal for a few weeks of trekking!
I currently use a stealth belt for my activities but wanted to get any other advice on what had worked well for others and travel tips. I have never taken 3 weeks off work and want to be prepared!

I thank you all—this community is such a blessing.

Gratitude! Scot

SusanT
Mar 22, 2025 5:56 pm

No suggestions, but I just wanted to say how much I admire you. Posts like this inspire me to keep fighting to get my health back.

Posted by: Karen & Stella
Fay,

I am one of those few people who still have a lot of output at night. However, I suffer from short gut syndrome after seven bowel surgeries that led to the loss of much of my small intestine as well as my large intestine from the initial bowel cancer surgery. It does get better over time as your system adjusts, but an ileostomy can be a challenging adjustment. It's important to connect with a good Enterostomal Nurse - ET nurses who can help you problem-solve over time. It's been five years since my initial surgery, and I had a great visit with a new ET nurse in December. He really helped me with the problem of high output at night. I had been getting up every 90-120 minutes to empty my high output bag because of filling. If I slept for three hours without emptying, I would have problems. My ET nurse helped my husband and me make a nighttime collection system using a Rubbermaid juice container with a handle and my old CPAP hose. This is connected to one of my two-piece high output bags and allows for continual drainage. It isn't pretty, but it has been a real lifesaver. I guess the real message I want to share is to stick with it, find a nurse who you can work with, and together you will find solutions to whatever challenges you face. This website is also an important support for me and others. There is nothing you will go through that others haven't already faced and figured out. There is so much wisdom here. Read the materials they've put together for newbies. There are a lot of great suggestions to use. I hope things get better quickly for you.
Karen
infinitycastle52777
Mar 22, 2025 6:33 pm

Make sure to carry plenty of water with you when hiking.

Sports drinks are great too, or a drop in of electrolytes that you can put in your water.

IGGIE
Mar 23, 2025 12:53 am

G-Day Sruch,

I would recommend you look up where the closest hospital is to where you're going just in case of a blockage or other needs. And take with you more of your ostomy products than you might need. Also, give your son a crash course in how to change your bag for you just in case.

Regards, IGGIE

Riva
Mar 23, 2025 1:39 am

H2ORS is my go-to for dehydration. I always bring extra when traveling. Also, I prefer wraps by Ostomy Secrets over Stealth Belt.
Enjoy and safe travels 🌈

 

How to Get Back to Activity after Ostomy Surgery with Kimberly | Hollister

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Maried
Mar 23, 2025 2:22 am

Get a minor check-up before you leave, and if you take any drugs, take a picture of the prescription container and take allergy meds just in case you are allergic to anything in the new environment. Enjoy your trip!

Also, anti-diarrhea meds and Tylenol too.

Jayne
Mar 23, 2025 6:45 pm

Wishing you a marvelous trip - Nepal and Tibet are on my 'must visit' agenda ......

Please post pics so we may share.

TY

Go safely and have a great time.

BW

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Jayne ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

cherih359
Mar 23, 2025 6:55 pm

Wow! What great advice from all of these wonderful people who have some of the same questions.

Good luck, Sruch! Have the best time with your son!

fisheraam
Mar 30, 2025 7:38 pm

On kayak trips, my packing always includes sachets of hydration salts to add to water, loperamide in case something upsets my ileo and sends it into overdrive (which can leave me exhausted and dehydrated too). Plenty of supplies, and a few 'doggy' bags with some toilet paper and absorption sachets added, ready in case I need to do a discreet 'empty' and then dispose of it later.

As mentioned, masking sure someone knows your routine is also useful. My son asked me years ago to teach him - fortunately, he has never needed to do so, although he did have to help me empty when I had my arm in a sling!

rlevineia
Mar 30, 2025 7:55 pm

I'm jealous. Went to Japan in October. Wanted to hit Nepal and Egypt and circle the globe. Too weak for that much. Love Stealth Belt and have three. I suggest carrying two sets of stoma gear, one in checked luggage and the other in carry-on. 747 and Airbus toilets are tiny. Tried kneeling. Jet bounces and hit my head on the overhang. Splashed poop, yuck! Sat high on the seat and emptied down. No food six hours before the flight. Go six to seven hours without emptying. Twelve-hour flight? Empty twice. Kōun o and Yoki kokai wo


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yan4home
Mar 30, 2025 9:24 pm

My advice is not to go - it is too far, too remote, and there are no hospitals that can help you. I see no point in risking your life - keep in mind that you're not what you used to be - you are a fragile shade of yourself, no matter what you feel inside.