Swimming with an Ostomy

I want to talk to you all about swimming with your ostomy I have had a few people ask some questions about it. And I had someone come to me and say this would be a great podcast for you to host so I took her advice. Thank you, Tracy!

Swimming can be such a great exercise and you may or may not have done it prior to having your ostomy and you may be a little bit nervous about attempting it for your first time after having your ostomy surgery. I’ll tell you before surgery personally, I lived in my bathing suit. I was always in a bikini. I started to feel after surgery, little more self-conscious about having my ostomy.  Can I swim with it? What happens if the bag breaks? What happens if things fill up? I’m not comfortable being in a bikini. You know what if it shows through my one-piece bathing suit there’s so many questions about it. And it can be a little nerve racking trying to get through that.

• First is make sure that your skin is clear and put your flange on nice and tight and have it on for at least two hours prior to going swimming. 

• Before you go to your swim you want to just double check your flange again. You want to make sure it’s completely sealed.

• Cover the filter on your pouch with a piece of adhesive tape, round bandage or deodorizing filter cover.

• Empty your bag before heading into the pool.

• Wear an accessory like a stealth belt and/or add barrier strips. 

• Wear a bathing suit you feel the most comfortable in.

Now go on out there and get your swim on!  

To listen to the podcast in full click here.