Outdoor Activities with an Ileostomy: Seeking Advice

I live in Florida and before I had my ileostomy, I used to be great at swimming and kayaking. Now I shy away from it because I'm wondering how I will empty my pouch if I am kayaking for a couple of hours or swimming and getting all the equipment wet; will it irritate my skin? I know after I take a shower, I blow dry my flange and pouch, but what will happen if I'm sitting with it wet on the beach for a couple of hours? I would like to hear from someone who can relate and help me with this situation. Much appreciated.

Have no fear... go get wet. I spend hours every week in a mineral hot springs, play water volleyball two or three times, and for an hour or so at a time and have never had a problem. My system normally empties in the mid-morning, so I wait until that has happened before going in the water. I wear the elastic belt with my Holister equipment and also a swim wrap that also holds the bag close and flat profiled (since I go to a clothing optional hot springs). Never had a leak... if I do start to pass something, I just get out and head for the restrooms. Like you, if I don't change everything during a shower, I use the hair dryer too. I believe that getting the flange wet tends to make it stick better for at least another day after. So... stop worrying and go get wet.

I now go swimming daily. I use Cymed one-piece drainable pouches. The micro skin adhesive has never let go. And I don't add anything extra like tape. There's no place to attach a belt.




When I was using Hollister, I wasn't as successful going swimming. I used the belt AND the pink tape and still had sections loose when I got home.




I can't see that you'll have any more problems than someone with no ostomy that needs to find a bathroom at the beach or in the kayak. Just pack an extra bag and throw away wipes in a Ziploc bag in the kayak to keep fresh supplies dry and put used materials until you get back to civilization.




I can't decide if you'd be better off with a drainable pouch or a closed pouch, one-piece or two-piece for extended kayaking trips. I think I'd stick with my one-piece drainable if I thought I could handle the kayaking again. I don't think I could get out of a kayak anymore. I have trouble standing up since radiation and chemo. But I don't think the bag would be a problem, speaking as a former camper.




Go for it, and take your sense of humor along with you!