Swimming Tips with a Colostomy Bag

Hi everyone! I am a summer baby and love the pool; however, I'm hesitant with my colostomy bag. I've been looking into the best way to protect my stoma and bag, but I wanted to ask you all for your experiences. Did all go well for you? Did you need extra support? Are the wafers with barrier strips enough, or should I get waterproof tape? What waterproof tape do you recommend, if any? Did you order a special swimsuit?

Use your barrier strips and wear a one-piece swimsuit. Now dive in and have a great summer.

Regards, IGGIE

I wear a two-piece suit that looks like a shirt and shorts but is made out of swimsuit material. I use a wrap when I go in the pool also to help secure my bag. But lately, I have been having some issues with my adhesive. So I am ordering a new product in a couple of days that is supposed to be a good adhesive. I will have to see when I get it if it works or not. But the wrap helps, and it conceals things under my suit. So nobody is the wiser that I have an ostomy bag. I have an ileostomy, though; I don't know if that makes a difference, just in that I have output all the time.

I have a drain that prevents me from swimming now. But I love to swim and plan to wear a tankini with an empire waist and loose, flowy material around the abdomen. Shorts underneath.

I also plan to wear a wrap to keep everything covered and help support the bags. That's just me, though; it may not be necessary.

If your wafer survives the shower, it will be fine in the pool. Extender strips or waterproof tape may ease your mind. I don't plan to use them.

I swim regularly and take no extra precautions at all. The chlorinated water will not cause an issue with your appliance. I wear a one-piece suit that fits tightly, so it holds things in place, but has an extra piece of material sewn onto the front that has a sort of ruffle effect and hides my 'bulge.' I also spend lots of time in the sauna, so it is really hot, and I have found no effect on the appliance either. As others have suggested, using an extender might make you feel more confident. Go for it and enjoy!

Terry

My Ostomy Journey: April | Hollister

Check out a wrap by OSTOMY SECRETS -

If you're okay with it, please let me know how the new tape goes! Thanks for the advice.

Thank you for the recommendation!

I go swimming anytime I can. Last summer, I was in the ocean almost every day in August. The seal on the skin of an ostomy pouch is pretty waterproof, so water can't get in. So go jump in that pool! I noticed that sometimes the outer edges of the seal might be damp, like when you take a shower, but a hair dryer and blotting with a towel fix that, and it doesn't hurt the skin to be a little damp around the edges for a short time. You can use strips or tape, but really you don't have to. Some people wear an ostomy belt under clothes or a bathing suit. It wraps around your abdomen to give you some extra support and protection, but if you're just swimming around, you can go without. The belt flattens the bag against your skin, so it might not show as much, but a bathing suit with a shirred or pleated front and a pattern like flowers rather than a solid color will provide plenty of camouflage. Enjoy your summer.