This topic is all about sharing practical travel tips for ostomates planning a 13-day trip to Switzerland. The advice comes from someone who had a smooth and enjoyable journey, and they offer some helpful insights to make your travel experience just as pleasant.

- For long flights, place tissue or Kleenex in the dry airline toilet bowl before emptying your pouch. Keep a cup of water handy to help flush, as suction toilets don't have water. One flush is usually enough to avoid drawing attention.

- Cabin pressure on flights prevents pouch "ballooning," but rapid elevation changes on mountain gondolas or trams can cause a partially full pouch to expand. It's best to empty it first.

- Some public restrooms in Switzerland charge 1–1.5 Swiss Francs, so have coins ready. Train toilets are similar to those on airplanes, so use the same emptying routine.

- If you're planning high-altitude activities like tandem parasailing or zip-lining, consider using a stoma guard, as harnesses may press on the stoma.

- The weather in Switzerland ranged from 62–80 °F, with only a mild temperature drop at 10,000 feet. A light jacket in a small backpack was sufficient.

- Pack more supplies than you think you'll need. The traveler usually changes weekly but packed four complete change kits, each sealed in a Ziploc bag, plus a daily hydration mix like Liquid IV. Ostomy products were not seen in pharmacies, and over-the-counter medicines are also pharmacy-only.

- At airport security, TSA PreCheck in San Francisco was quick. Without PreCheck, you might be asked to rub the pouch and undergo a hand-swab. In Zurich, a visible pouch prompted a hand-swab, but staff were cooperative when informed the pouch couldn't be removed. Remember that EU liquid limits apply, so some items like a jar of tapenade might be confiscated.

- Bathrooms are plentiful, and altitude and transport are manageable. Life after surgery should definitely include travel.

Additional advice and insights:

- Carry an ostomy information card in the local language. Printable versions are available from United Ostomy and other organizations.

- Before you leave, identify pharmacies or ostomy associations abroad that stock or donate supplies, as language barriers can make on-site searching difficult.

- Many travelers split their supplies between checked luggage and carry-on bags. Some keep a single-use closed pouch in a small cross-body bag for quick changes.

- Use TSA PreCheck when possible. If not, expect a quick and discreet hand-swab of the pouch.

- Choose an aisle seat to minimize attention during frequent bathroom trips.

- Empty your pouch and eat lightly before boarding to reduce in-flight bathroom visits. The tissue-in-bowl method with a bit of water works on any suction toilet, whether on an aircraft or train.

- Japan is ostomy-friendly, with dedicated toilets and signage, but supplies are still hard to locate. Print the Japanese-language ostomy card.

- For high-altitude or adventure activities, a stoma guard adds protection under harnesses.

- Hydration is critical, so carry electrolyte mixes like Liquid IV and buy water at supermarkets rather than street kiosks.

- The general mindset is to bring extra gear, plan ahead, and travel with confidence. Many travelers report smooth trips to Switzerland, Japan, South Africa, and beyond.