Swimming with an ostomy can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping the wafer dry and secure. If you love swimming but worry about how water might affect your ostomy appliance, here are some practical tips and insights to help you enjoy the water with more confidence.

- Understand that heat from hot tubs, baths, or long showers can soften the adhesive of your wafer. Cooler water, like in a pool or the ocean, has less of an effect, but many swimmers find they need to replace their wafer every 3-5 days instead of a full week.

- Before you dive in, empty your pouch. Tuck it into the lining of your swimsuit and press it flat against your body when drying off.

- Consider support garments. Women often find success with one-piece swimsuits that have a tummy-control panel, tankinis with support panties, or skirted suits. Men might prefer oversized trunks that can be pulled over the appliance. An ostomy swim belt, like a Stealth Belt, can also help hide and support the pouch.

- Reinforce the seal of your wafer. You can use waterproof tape or extra-wide waterproof barrier strips around the wafer to prevent the edges from lifting. Aqua Seals are specially designed covers that keep the wafer dry. Some people apply a thin bead of stoma adhesive, use a belt, or warm the wafer with their hands for better adhesion. Convex wafers, spray adhesive, barrier rings, and stoma paste can also provide extra protection.

- Explore durable or water-oriented systems. Options include Marlen thick-plastic pouches with a mounting ring and O-ring seal, Cymed micro-thin adhesive pouches, and Hollister or Coloplast appliances.

- Take care of your skin and apply the wafer properly. Clean your skin with products like Nu Hope Cleaning Solvent and mild soap, rinse, and dry thoroughly before applying a new wafer. A belt can help push out a retracted stoma and add security, but be careful with diving boards as they can dislodge the appliance.

- Learn from practical experiences. Many swimmers simply change their wafer more often and decide if the extra changes are worth the enjoyment of swimming. Test new setups in your bathtub at home before heading to a pool or the ocean. Some people avoid wetsuits or very hot tubs because they can break the seal. Showering without a pouch is also an option, allowing waste to rinse away and letting your skin breathe.

- For more information and to try different products, visit manufacturer websites like StealthBelt, Costa Medical, Marlen, Cymed, Hollister, and Coloplast. You can also request free sample packs to see what works best for you.