Swimming with an Ostomy - Tips for Keeping Your Flange Secure

Anyone with ideas on getting wet? I had my ostomy at age 14 and I'm 43 now, but it seems I can't ever keep my flange on when I go swimming. When I shower, I use tape that repels water. I have a trip and I want to enjoy it for a change. Feels like my whole life I've been trapped.

Hi Bebe68! I believe that if you put your question in the forum, you'll get many more answers. Good luck! :-) Sun

Well, my feelings are - if you need to use waterproof tape on your appliance just to take a shower or a swim - then you need to try some other brands with better adhering tape on their barriers. When I first got my ostomy over 16 years ago - the tape on the barriers that I was given was like paper; this didn't hold up for long with even moisture, let alone water, so I had to use the waterproof tape too. Then a few years later, they improved the design with a cloth-like tape, and it holds up great! I take daily showers - sometimes even two in the summer.

Oh, what brand do you use? Mine is like a wafer and paper tape. I have always used extra tape on the flange to hold it on. I've had my ostomy for years; I was 14, now 43. I'm tired of the old boring life. I'm always afraid of leaking.

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister

I use the Holister Premiere Flextend Convex. I have been getting a week's wear time consistently for nearly 10 years.

Wow, I didn't get my ostomy until I was 36. I can only imagine how hard it was to go through school having one.

Nice, and you can swim and shower without changing? I have to change mine every other day because of getting wet. So, I gave up swimming, but I want to start again.

Yep! It's been a few years though because I moved, and now I live close to the beach, so there aren't many pools around, and I'm not an ocean swimmer (don't like the cold water, LOL). But I've gone to two national conferences so far and was in both the pool and hot tub numerous times over the 3-day event and didn't need to change until I got back home.

Nice, I'll give it a try. Thanks for the info. It is nice to talk to you.

YW and glad I could help :)

I use Coloplastssnsura 10015 and the bags are Coloplast Sensura 11124. They are amazing and I swear by them. The flange is almost like a rubber layer on the outside and waterproof. The bag is a lock and roll with a filter. I've swum and showered with them and had no problems. They are practically waterproof and no tape is needed. They even have this lock and unlock feature when you attach the bag to the water. It allows you to spin the bag at any time without having to remove the bag. In case you have the stealth belt, the stealth belt is worn to the side so the bag has to be spun to lay sideways along your waist. Email me if you want more info on what I'm using. I'm Eli. Nice to meet you.

Bebe, email me. We have lots in common. I have great ideas on keeping your wafer to stay on longer. I'm Eli, 45 and divorced for 11 years with a colostomy for 3 years now. Let's talk.

Hi Bebe68, I use the Hollister New Image 15203 flange with an 18373 pouch and have not had any problems in the shower, but I do make sure it is properly sealed before getting in the shower. I have been told if I plan to go swimming I should use a non-vented pouch with the same flange. Hope this helps.
Ed