Tips for Managing an Ileostomy on Long Flights

I'm getting ready for a 15+ hr flight to Europe with an ileostomy, so no getting around having to empty during the flight. Any recommendations for the best way to handle that on a moving plane? I'll also have to eat before and during the flight. I appreciate any tips...

Just have your supplies organized so you can get in and out of the WC quickly without issues. It is tight in here.

For simplicity, if you're wearing a two-piece, just swap out the pouch; otherwise, just do what you do. Enjoy and safe travels. You've got this.

Get an aisle seat if possible, pack most of your supplies in a carry-on bag (I only ever take a carry-on bag anyway, and my supplies don't take up much space even if I'm away for several weeks).

I have an ileostomy, and I eat and drink as normal because if I skip meals, I end up getting a lot of gas. So every time that food/drink cart comes out, I'm having whatever is on offer. 😋🍷🍱🥂

No difference in the air with emptying (usually every 4-5 hours) apart from the tiny cubicle. My output is usually quite fluid, so no issues, but if it's a bit thicker, I just rinse the tailpiece out with a small bottle of water I always have with me or use the small cups available. Just brace yourself if there's a bit of turbulence; it only happened to me a couple of times, and I managed to survive without making a mess.

A 15+ hour flight is just the first leg of a long-haul flight for Australians like myself traveling overseas, so I just sit back, relax, and enjoy the 30+ hours of reading/movie/TV watching time ahead (great excuse to binge-watch an entire series or two).

Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated, and a must for me is applying moisturizer to my hands, face, and even hair; static electricity is not a good look going through customs.🤭

Happy travels! 🧳✈️⛱️

Keep well-hydrated (drink lots of non-alcoholic fluids)... that will ensure you avoid pancaking (that sticky build-up of stool around the stoma).

Eat normally, but nothing too adventurous during the flight if you're not used to a certain food.

You can discreetly bring your ostomy supplies into the washroom with you just in case, but you should be able to just empty as usual without any problems.

It will definitely be tight quarters, and you will feel some bumps and grinds, but armed with a good sense of humor about it all, you'll not only get through it, you'll also feel so proud of yourself for having accomplished this with such grace!

M
xo

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I have had my ostomy for over 50 years and have done many long-distance flights, from California to NZ, 17 hours. No problem. Just go to the bathroom as usual and hope I don't get bumped around too much. I always take my purse in with me, which I carry minimum supplies in case I need to make any adjustments.

I would buy water after you pass TSA and use that water to rinse the ileostomy bag. It's better if you have a bottle with a sports tip to be able to better squeeze the water into the bag. I find it helpful in keeping clean. I would also let the flight attendant closest to the “lavatory” know you have a medical bag that needs tending to so as not to cause alarm if you're in the bathroom longer than expected.

I've flown quite a bit since surgery. Your bag will show up, pretty detailed, when going through the security checkpoint. Expect to be stopped. When I am, I say, "my ostomy bag, right?" You'll then be asked to rub your hands over the area, and they wipe your hand with a towelette. They put it in a chemical detector and give you the go-ahead when the results come back clear. I've never needed the card. It's just one more thing to fumble with: ID, boarding pass, etc. It's very discreet and fairly quick. Remember, it may be uncomfortable for the TSA agent also. They have been more than accommodating. My only problem was in the Netherlands when there was a language barrier. After answering "Ostomy bag" numerous times, I gave the answer "S*# bag." Needless to say, I was pulled into a room for a quick visual check. Even there, they were very accommodating and apologetic. Whatever country you are going to, learn the word for "Ostomy Bag"!

As for asking for a seat next to the bathroom, if it makes you feel better, do it. I usually fly Southwest and pick my own seat on an aisle and near the back. On any other airline, I book an aisle seat. Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable telling someone about my condition if I didn't have to.

Ten minutes before boarding, I head to the airport bathroom to empty and check the pouch seal. Carry a supply bag containing EVERYTHING you need for an emergency bag change. I had that incident once. Upon seeing the seepage beginning, I panicked. I took a deep breath, calmed down, and was done within five minutes. Depending on what appliance you use, bring a chemical "hot pack" to hold over the new bag. This is a typical bag used as a heat pack for a sore back or similar situation. The key to this process is to expect it to happen. If you do that, you'll already have a plan on how you will handle it and just react. This should lower some of the anxiety.

Over the years, I have become a "bag petter," gently wiping my bag to push any waste down into the bag. If the flight still has a couple of hours to go, I may head to the bathroom. One thing I suggest is to put toilet paper on the bottom of the toilet before emptying. Urinate after. Bring a cup or water bottle to help fill the bowl with liquid. As airline toilets work with suction, you will find yourself pushing the flush button many times without any liquid to help move the matter. This happened to me once. Walking out after flushing four times was pretty embarrassing. About half the plane stared at me with the look of "Are you okay? Is it safe to go in there???"

I found flying was a lot easier than I figured. Keep that supply bag with your carry-on, and you'll be fine.

Don't worry. Enjoy your trip.

SharkFan

I agree completely with Sharkfan - my last flight I forgot to put a couple of squares of paper in the bowl before emptying and had to flush a few times! I always wear a bumbag/fannypack with my few essentials in when traveling. It's very small but holds my passport too. I also self-catheterize to pee, so I am very aware of taking a bit of extra time in the toilet. I always order a G&T on a flight, then hang onto that little bottle the gin arrives in, as it is a perfect size to keep in my pack all trip with water in to do an emergency rinse if my output is too thick. I do have a tendency to dehydrate before and during a flight, but that is to avoid the need to catheterize too often, and I make sure to really ramp up my fluids once I arrive - but that's just me!

Have a great trip!

All good advice. Just don't do what I did. Had an ileostomy since I was 8. In my 20s, being cocky, I flew to Europe with my supplies in a checked bag (and of course had a leak on the first leg of a 3-leg trip). Won't do that again.

Yes, be organized; the loos might not flush that well, so use the paper napkins provided. I've flown a few times and had no bad experiences. 🙏

I always take an Ostomy card, which verifies my colostomy condition, and I always sit in an aisle seat with easy access to the WC. I have flown the New Zealand/UK routes twice (32 hours each way) in the past two years. The cabin crews are very understanding and will allow you to use the crew facilities if the passenger ones are occupied.

I have a little rucksack with a red cross on it and a zipped bag with all my medications and stoma needs. I can hang this on a hook and access all I need in the cramped space of the WC. Try not to be anxious and stay calm. Have a wonderful flight.

I have a 21-hour flight coming up with layovers. I was wondering how I'd fare if I irrigated before I got on the plane.

This is all very new to me.

I've traveled loads of times from Australia to Europe. I've never had to change an appliance, thankfully, since it's so squishy in there, but I always have my gear ready and accessible. I guess maybe avoid eating things you know will play up? Otherwise, don't worry; people without ileostomies will be stinking the place up. It's a long flight.

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I appreciate the advice. I was thinking about a trip to Europe from here (US) in the summer but was really scared about emptying my ostomy. I might have forgotten to bring a tiny bag with my things in it when using the bathroom, so thanks!