Anyone able to get in a hot tub or swim? What about going to an amusement park? With the tight belts and roller coasters… am I possibly going to leave a mess? What other things worry you guys?
Bubblegum
Jul 14, 2025 5:25 am
IGGIE
Jul 14, 2025 5:33 am
A lot of people on here go swimming; I don't know about a hot tub, so go give it a try.
IGGIE
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Posted by: Puppyluv56
Hi Deb,
As you can see, the outpouring of love and support from this website will help you to find the strength to lift yourself up and out of your current emotional situation. I am lucky to have my husband by my side through all of this, so I will not even pretend to know how you feel and what you're going through alone. I do know that I have great friends on this site and in my life that have been by my side, and hopefully you have many by your side as well. You do have a lot of new friends here. Please feel free to talk through anything that is on your mind. We all go through a confidence deficit when we go through an ostomy surgery. Our body has been marred and your mind feels that way sometimes too. It is tough to move on, but you will. You will be stronger once you realize that you are still the beautiful woman you were prior to your surgery. Hopefully, you can reach out to a local support group and find some additional friends in your same situation. It always helps to have a sounding board wherever you find it!
Puppyluv
AO166
Jul 14, 2025 7:20 am
I had no issues with roller coasters or other rides. I went swimming a couple of times; no disasters, but it still makes me nervous.
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Jo 🇦🇺
Jul 14, 2025 8:13 am
Yes to all of the above activities and then some!
Having an ostomy is not a disability; for many of us, it actually made us healthier, more able-bodied, and more energetic than we have ever been.
If you read some previous posts, there are people of all ages traveling the world, doing every kind of activity. Check out recent posts by Littlefish and Miss fudgeakins below:
https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=35190
https://www.meetanostomate.org/discussion-forum/viewtopic.php?t=34702
"A life lived in fear is a life half lived" - just get out there and do whatever you want.
Axl
Jul 14, 2025 10:02 am
You can do anything you wish with a little forward thinking, meaning don't eat and then expect no output in the time frame you wish to be doing whatever it is you wish to do. Loperamide is a good friend at this time too. Hot tub, swimming, no problem; make flange extenders part of your setup.
Justbreathe
Jul 14, 2025 1:56 pm
Or in the song of my favorite songster/philosopher 🎼🎶I’d rather die while I’m livin’ than live while I’m dead🎶👊jb
infinitycastle52777
Jul 14, 2025 2:18 pm
I used to be able to swim, but now I wouldn't try it because my wafer would come off. I don't have the right barrier wands, the good ones. The ones I have to replace it don't hold the bag on in water. I got some adhesive, but it doesn't work. The canister is really small, and I paid about 30 bucks for it, and it doesn't compress and spray. It doesn't work at all. So I am soured on that idea. I don't know what to do to feel comfortable swimming again. And I don't know what to do about seatbelts in the car either. I always hold them out, which I am sure defeats the purpose of the seatbelt, but I know if I let it tighten around my bag, it could pop, and poop would go everywhere. So I either hold out the seatbelt, or I put the bag on top of the seatbelt, and then the belt goes under the bag. But I can only do that because my bag is up higher than most people's bags. I am not sure about roller coasters because I don't ride them. I would say just be careful, and maybe you can do it. Maybe do it when your bag is empty? Like don't eat until you are done riding them?
Ben38
Jul 14, 2025 2:20 pm
Yes to all; it's only a stoma. It doesn't stop us from doing anything. After having an ileostomy for over 30 years, I can't think of much that I haven't done.
1 Life: live it! Never let a stoma rule your life!
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TerryLT
Jul 14, 2025 7:32 pm
I swim all the time, with no extra preparation. Some use a flange extender for extra peace of mind. I wear a suit that fits snugly but has a piece of material sewn onto the front that has a slight ruffle effect and hides my little 'bump.' I also sit in the steam room or sauna, which is extremely humid and hot. It's had no effect on my appliance or wear time. You should not limit yourself. Any activity you did before should still be open to you now. Sometimes some extra prep might be needed.
Terry
SusanT
Jul 14, 2025 11:37 pm
Try
Infinitycastle, try this. I'm getting it through my ostomy supplier. It was recommended by my ostomy nurse, and I think it is the reason I get such long wear. It might be enough to re-establish your confidence. Swimming is such great exercise.
To the OP, if you lack confidence with swimming and hot tubs, test in a bathtub in the privacy of your home. If it doesn't work, tweak your system until it does. Don't let an ostomy hold you back.