The freedom to swim much as I want

1. Dating and relationships
2. Concealing the pouch
3. Foods to eat and avoid
4. Losing or gaining weight
5. Pouch ballooning

I am not a big swimmer but did go to Mexico and the beach. I tried using water proof tape to help keep the seal and used a bandeau as a cover up. I think it worked Ok. It was more the heat and sweat that loosened the seal. I have not had a bath since surgery, in the shower I made shower curtain for around my waste. It does not keep it dry but does offer some protection. As for the tub I think I would do it nude and hope for no floaties. Good luck.

I have a one piece set up and change my bag every 3-5 days.....I love swimming and have even jumped feet 1st into the deep end. I have a skirt type bathing suit with undersuit coverage as well. I keep my bag empty, tuck it in the inner suit and 'cowabunga' enjoy my swim....i even swim laps---just press the set up against your skin with a bit of pressure when you dry off on a horizontal beach chair

After not swimming for 3 years, because of Ulcerative colitis ( I was not allowed in the sun) the first thing I did after my surgery was go to the beach  and swim in the ocean.  That was nearly 50 years ago, and I can't think of much that I haven't done...because of my ostomy.

But here are some common sense facts and tips....  Hot baths and hot showers will soften the wafer, and you might need to change more often.  The cold water in a pool or the ocean, doesn't affect the wafer as much, but because I shower when I get home....I might have to change sooner...3-5 days instead of 7.  But I love the water, and don't deprive myself of indulging during our short summer.  I'm a full figured gal, so I try to buy a bathing suit that has an inside "tummy control" panel, which serves a dual purpose. I've also worn a panty under the bathingsuit, but didn't like the line it caused.    A tankini works well for some people, and you can wear  a support panty underneath that too.  Those never had enough of a bra support for me, so I need a more structured suit.  I would never take a bath "nude" but I know many do.   I don't use any soap on my skin...and it would cause too much anxiety.  don't want to clean the tub of unplanned "poop".  

If  you have any other questions, write or post....   Thinking creatively & being flexible about changing what you've done/ or not done in the past will help you do the things you've missed.  

Marsha 

Marsha again.....ammendment    I do use soap, just not on the skin under the wafer.   didn't want anyone to think that  I might smell / from not using soap.

so do you have a 2 piece bag?

I haven't used them yet but was looking at the products at Stealth Belt.  They have belts that cover your stoma etc as well as swimwear that incorporates the cover.

what about a shower? it all goes down the drain. there is no (lie) better feeling than letting your skin breath - totally naked in the shower.....

hey lightbright - and that was one of my favorite toys................i went swimming today and thought of you...........however, the water was freaking cold......i did do some laps but not even enough

went swimming again today............

Try something like the Aqua Seals from Costa Medical - they go over your wafer and protects is from water so the edges don't peel and the wafer stays dry. 

do you only change the wafer onece a week by choice or financial reasons? if its choice you have to decide if the pleasure of swimming is worth the effort of changing the waver. I do find I have to change my bag more often when I swim...i use a barrier strip by coloplast that helps with the edges of the waver rolling..................

Hi

I don't have any problems being immersed in water even for long periods of time.

I have had ilieostomy for 40 years. I use the same system from 40 yrs ago because it feels much more secure than the newer stuff. I use Marlen pouches that are made of a very thick durable plastic. I use a mounting ring and o'ring seal. I use the Marlen double sided adhesive disks along with waterproof tape. Sometimes I use a belt to help push out the stoma more since sometimes it receeds too much. I also sometimes use the belt under my swim suit.

I can usually go almost 1 week without changing but lately the wafers seem to be breaking down more quickly. I was using Eakin Seals and have now switched to Adapt. They are lasting longer than the Eakin Seals.  When I clean off my skin, I use the Nu Hope Cleaning Solvent. Then I use liquid hand soap to clean the area and make sure that I rinse it off and let it dry off well before I apply the new pouch.

I prefer a tankini type of suit because it makes it easier to just take the bottom off when I have to use the bathroom. I just recently bought a miracle suite top. Last year, I went snorkeling for the first time. Not because of my bag but just because I am not that good of a swimmer. But, I really enjoyed doing this in the warm gulf coast off of Floida.

If you are unsure about getting into a pool or ocean, try it out first in the privacy of your own tub and see how it works out for you.

Happy Swimming

My spouse, an avid swimmer, has had no issues keeping his ileostomy appliance intact while swimming in our (unheated) pool. He uses no special precautions, other than wearing oversized trunks, which he pulls up over his appliance. . He only dives in from the side of the pool,though. The first-and last! time he used the diving board, his appliance sheared right off. 

He never could use his wet suit for ocean swimming, however. Although he could carefully don the wet suit over his appliance, he could never manage to get out of the suit without ruining the seal.

Soaking in a full bathtub of water or enjoying a hot tub is out, unfortunately. The adhesive just didn't hold up to the heat.

He uses a standard two-piece pouch with a thin bead of stoma adhesive around the stoma and always wears a belt, changing his appliance every 7 days. 

Hope you find a solution that allows you to enjoy swimming.

I to used Marlen and always went swimming had to switch appliance to newer coloplast and have nt swam yet!I did not know you could get Marlen yet?I gained weight and stome is now flush so had to change as leaked all time?Guess I should get brave and try swimming again?Just put new puoch on when done?

Susie

by any chance are you using a convex bag.......my stoma points down and when i switched to the convex bags  (kinda holds the stoma up like a turtle neck sweater).....it helped loads........i also use a spray adheasive, a barier ring (which is like a gasket) and stoma paste (which is like caulk)............i also found that if you press the palm of your hand firmly against the stoma, bag area....anc count to 60 (the heat of your hand activates the seal)........its all about the seal......

I am a surfer and someone suggested a product from Cymed.  I have ordered their free sample pack and thought I would share it with you.  I have not received it yet, but many have told me their spokesperson s a surfer and loves their products for the water.  Check them out at http://cymedostomy.com/  Lert me know ok.

sunasea: Please report back to us how this product works for you! I currently use a Hollister 2 piece drainable system. I have a parastomal hernia with quite a profound bulge around my stoma which makes it difficult to form the adhesive flange to my skin following the contours of the bulge.

Many questions about the Cymed: How do the drainable pouches close (velcro like Hollister, clip closure, etc.), durability, skin irritation, longevity - how long can you where it between replacements, etc.

I checked out the website (some of the videos wouldn't play for me) and am excited by what I read - but still cautious about the aboved mentioned questions.

Please report back to us on you opinion of the product and THANK YOU very much for posting!

I always get the extra wide waterproof stripes and barrier 

Hi sorry I have been in Coeur D'Alane ID fcfor the past three weeks hiking, running, mountain climbing and kayaking for three weeks without internet.  Yes the product is great.  GSo to their web site for a free sample kit and try it for yourself.  It's free.

Sincerely,

tom

OK what's the site

Hi I tried cymex and I didn't like their products.