Traveling with a Stoma: Tips and Airport Security Queries

Is there anything I need to do to prepare to travel with a stoma? - I need to visit my 2 grandsons' graduations and will have to fly. What about going through security? Is there anything else I should know? -- I have had the stoma since April and am doing quite well - would like to be a bit more knowledgeable before embarking on this. Do I need to ask for a row seat? Can I take the "blue bag" with me on the plane (scissors)? -- THANKS for any help and info. If this goes well, I'd even like to revisit the UK again
🔒 Login to see image

Traveling with a stoma is not as hard as it may seem. The first rule is to take twice as many disks and bags as you would normally use. The second is you are allowed to take a carry-on bag with all your medical supplies without it counting as a carry-on.
If you tell the TSA people that you have an ostomy, most will allow scissors as well as the liquids you use for cleaning and preparing the skin for a new disk.
Check out the UOAA website (ostomy.org) for travel information and a pocket card indicating you have a stoma and if a detailed body check is needed, you want a medical person involved.
Sit in whatever seat makes you comfortable. I prefer an aisle seat, but I'm a little larger than the "average." Use the restroom in the terminal as close to boarding as possible to make sure all the air is out of the bag. Airplane restrooms are small and tight.
Good luck and have a safe trip.
🔒 Login to see image

Bob H.

Just have a fun trip. I have had an ileostomy since 1999 and took two different flights to Seattle, WA. I had extra supplies in my carry-on bag. My situation is a little different. I also had IV supplies to take along. I get dehydrated and have since October '99 and have a Groshong line. I do IV three times a week. It keeps me out of the hospital. I did ask my doctor for a note, which I did not need, but it was nice to have. My son packed a large box with ice for the IV bags, and extra bags and collars. I would suggest you take three times what you use at home, just in case. I sat in front, not far from the restroom. I also had a window seat. This was also my first air trip, so I was a little anxious, but all went well.

Also, I took a 3-month trip in a motorhome to Alaska. My husband had always wanted to go, so it was a very good trip. It seemed strange to be gone that long. My healthcare provider sent IV bags to me. We let them know where we would be. At that time, I was still having the IV bags every other day. I had a backpack and pump so I could hook up and go wherever I wanted to. My husband had retired, and when we got back from this trip, he was asked to go to Seattle to work as a consultant.

I just go ahead and have a small snack before bed as I can't go to sleep on an empty stomach. I have my IV bag running right now. It is over a 10-hour period, and on these nights, I will probably be up 3 times. I have gotten used to it, I guess, over this period of time. The next day, I just take a nap. Ha.

Hope you have a great trip. I'm sure that you will not have any problems.

Hi. You have had two good replies. I would suggest you get a medical letter listing what you need to carry and immediately go up to the security people and explain your situation and show them your letter. Your supplies don't count as carry-on. Also, explain this to the airline and show them your certificate. I find an exit row the best, but I have also had the privilege of traveling business class.
I always pre-cut my bags and pack my scissors in my case. After all, you can always buy more scissors, but you don't want to risk confiscation. So, do as the others advised: do at least three times as many as you think you'll need.
Just enjoy your trip. I wish I could join you! God bless.

Hello Ewesful. I can't really add much more to the comments already made but I wanted to thank you for this 'useful' forum post and express my gratitude to all your respondees for their excellent suggestions. There are times when I struggle to find suitable topics relevant to ostomies to translate into rhyming verse.  I thought I had almost exhaused the subject-matter in all my previous verses. Then, you pop up with yet another great post and I'm off again to versify.

The result of my plagiarism is posted on my latest blog.

Best wishes  Bill

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister

Once you tell security you have a bag, they have you step aside and rub a paper over your bag, and they check it for explosive material. Seems scary, but it's not. I always ask for priority boarding at check-in so I can sit close to the bathroom.

You have had very good replies.

Also, I do recommend you getting a copy of the book I wrote with 2 other ostomates and my surgeon called Yes We Can, Traveling with an Ostomy. You can get it on Amazon.com

Happy travels!

Babs

I have no trouble traveling; I carry a card and extra supplies and put on a large bag before boarding. Enjoy your grandchildren's graduation.