Traveling to Europe with an Ostomy - Tips for Flights and Accommodations

My husband and I are planning a trip to Europe this fall. I had surgery last month and got my ostomy. I'm looking for tips for traveling with the ostomy, long-haul flights, and disposing of my pouch when I'm staying in a hotel or on a riverboat. I'm feeling pretty anxious about the trip, but I'm determined to not let the ostomy rule my life. Thanks!!

Hi Churlish1,

You've come to the right place! This community is full of people who can offer plenty of support and advice for your upcoming trip.

Traveling with an ostomy can seem daunting at first, but with a bit of preparation, it can be a smooth experience. For flights, consider packing extra supplies in your carry-on and using a travel-sized deodorizer. When it comes to disposing of your pouch, most hotels and riverboats are accommodating if you discreetly ask for extra disposal bags or a private area. Remember, you're not alone in this, and many have traveled successfully with an ostomy.

Congrats on being part of this community! You'll find lots of support, information, and some really cool people who can share their experiences and tips. Safe travels!

I've flown to the Philippines a couple of times and travel to Leduc, Canada at least once a year to see my best friends. The best advice I can give you is this:

Make sure you keep a spare pouch and a spare change of clothes in your carry-on. If you use a cut-to-fit, like I do, make sure the flange is pre-cut (TSA won't allow the scissors in your carry-on stuff). I've had a few occasions where I've had to change my pouch out in an airport bathroom. So long as you're prepared, it's usually an easy in and out.

Some people will report air filling up their pouch during the flight due to change in altitude. I've never had this issue, but it's something to be aware of. A simple trip to the airplane bathroom to release the air is all it will take to fix that issue. I use a two-piece system, so it's a simple matter of cracking the pouch from the flange to let it out.

Personally, I try to eat very little when traveling, but that is 100% a "me" thing. I intermittent fast (because I'm a fatty), so it's more of a willpower kind of thing. I would recommend not eating heavy meals though just because during the flight and any layovers you might have to hustle, and a full pouch will make that a little uncomfortable.

As for the trip itself, just as a rule of thumb, and again this is a "me" policy, others might advise something else, but I generally keep one spare pouch/flange for every day I'm on the trip available. It's overkill, and I've never needed that many, but my thinking is it's better to have something on hand than have to try and find ostomy supplies overseas. As for disposing, I know Hollister supplies come with opaque bags. I keep those on hand, and just tie them up tight with the old pouch and place them in the garbage. Easy peasy :)

Hope that helps. I've rarely had any issues during travel. Be prepared for the trip and have what you need on hand, and it should be smooth sailing! :)

I have a travel card. It will help if TSA has any questions. Never had any air pressure problems. Empty before you get on the plane. If you are not using Hollister bags, get some doggy poo bags for disposal. Be sure to take more than enough supplies. They could be hard to find. Have a good trip.

Thanks so much! I see information on the vendor websites, but it's more comforting hearing from people who actually have to live the ostomy life. I appreciate your input.

All good tips. Coloplast also comes with disposable bags and "Entrust Ostomy Pouch Disposable Bag" is black with a self-locking closure. I'd pack marshmallows too. Take two 35 minutes before changing pouches. ✈️

Getting Support in the Ostomy Community with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

Another item I'd pack is baby wipes.

Toilet paper overseas is not always as good as ours. I'm thinking of my river cruise from Moscow to St. Petersburg.

Thanks! Not sure what marshmallows are?

Hi Audrey. How do marshmallows help exactly?

Hello,

Marshmallows will slow output from your ostomy. Eating a couple before you embark on a long-haul flight, cruise, or tour will help prevent a full bag of poop.

Also handy when you're changing the wafer.

Marshmallows are white, soft, and round. They are sold in bags. Most grocery stores sell them. Also used to make s'mores at the beach or while camping.

I believe a chocolate-covered cookie with a marshmallow on top is called mar-something? Marrmelows?

Awesome mix - rich chocolate, cookie, marshmallow.

Not sure stoma approved but tummy says yummy good. 😁

Marshmallows are to help thicken your poo.

I just got back from a trip to the Philippines. I went through airports, starting in Montana, then Denver with a two and a half hour layover, then San Francisco with a four hour layover. I also only ate very little. The longest flight was for 14 hours and 30 minutes to Taipei, then a two and a half hour layover, then landed in Cebu, Philippines. On the way home, it was a 12-hour return from Tokyo to Dallas, Texas. I am a 6'6", 300 lbs man squished into the seats. The hardest part was the seats; they are small if you don't pay extra for the seat that is a little bigger and has a couple of inches more room for your legs.

Wow! Thanks. I had no idea! I thought you must be referring to something other than the food lol! I will remember that.

There are pills for that, too (thickening), as well as a list of foods to eat. However, on the go? Give people a smile when you down a few in public - marshmallows. They are not just for an open fire. Ha ha. Jet puff.

Hiya, also a good idea to use the little doggie poo bags to dispose of your pouch and stuff when you change your appliance because that way it doesn't smell when you drop it in the trash.

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to add - with TSA, I usually tell the person as I'm going into the scan booth about the ostomy. They will almost certainly have you pat yourself down after and swab your fingers, but it's a very easy and quick process. Good luck!!

Great tip; however, I shy away from baby wipes, as the residue they leave sometimes makes it hard for the flange adhesive to set. Funnily enough, DUDE WIPES, which is a newer product, leaves zero residue. Just a goofy name, lol.

I don't use baby wipes on my skin. I use them to clean the mouth of the bag.
And I eat two marshmallows, not to thicken output but to stop any output in my dormant period when I change my bag. It's a precautionary thing.

G-Day Churlish, Can I recommend you take a good number on board with you just in case they lose your main luggage. Regards, IGGIE

Eating two marshmallows 35-40 minutes before changing the pouch usually stops any activity to allow time to reapply a new one without any mess.
Some people say it doesn't work for them, but it does for me.