Challenges of Using Airline Bathrooms for Tall, Large People

The airline bathrooms are very small. I am 6' 6" tall and 260 lbs; it's difficult to just turn around. My pouch does not reach the toilet (too tall), so sitting down to empty is not an option. Today, while standing over the toilet just in case, I empty my pouch into a biodegradable/flushable doggie bag, then deposit it into the toilet. Then, using the ready toilet paper, I clean the end of my Convatec Natura II Velcro pouch, and I am done. My worry is missing the toilet, making a mess, and pissing off 200 passengers. This job could be done so much easier if I could use only one hand. Any suggestions? Terry

Hi Terry, in similar situations on both planes and rolling fishing boats, I have found myself emptying into a ziplock bag while standing in a braced position and then in turn emptying the ziplock into the head.  Haven't mastered doing it one-handed but also haven't made a mess yet.  Good Luck---Littlefish

So what do you do with the Ziplock when finished?

You are a big guy. There were suggestions to try going before boarding the plane and planning in advance, early in the day.

Can you try that?

Here's hoping you also use some kind of odor eliminator too.

The mess is one thing, but that smell would knock out the pilots.

I think you got about the best solution if you can’t physically get down to toilet level to empty. The only thing I’d add is to take some cover spray and maybe some Clorox wipes(they make travel size) to clean up if you do happen to splash. 

My Ostomy Journey: Ryan | Hollister

All great comments, the doggie bag is flushable so no issue there. My pouch closes with Velcro, the problem is after depositing the bag in the toilet, being able to lean over the toilet far enough to clean and re-seal my pouch without spilling anything in or around the toilet, particularly the floor. Odor eliminator is a must; don't leave home without it. I wish I could get on a commercial airplane and experiment.

I get the biodegradable and flushable bags on Amazon, probably better for the head than Ziploc. I use these bags on my boat. I carry on board a 2 or 3-gallon bucket with a lid from Home Depot, empty it into a sealed bucket, then after the trip, clean out the bucket ready for the next adventure. I also use the biodegradable bags in the woods when camping, hiking, fishing, or hunting. I carry a small garden shovel, dig a hole, and deposit. Again, they are environmentally friendly. Since sitting on a toilet is not an option I have, I never leave my home without a few bags in my pocket. I keep a plastic coffee container in my golf cart; if I can't reach a bathroom, I can discreetly service my pouch and no one knows but me, it takes no time at all. Hope some of this helps. Terry

Never understood why ostomates worry about odour with air travel, if anyone has taken a long haul flight (up to 20-30 hours from this side of the planet) at the end of the journey the entire plane smells like one gigantic fart anyway and I can guarantee that stench is not made from any ostomate but rather the "regular" folk who just let 'em fly after so many hours!

And the state of the toilets at the end of the flight is horrendous regardless of whoever has used them, thought it might be different in business class or even the one time I travelled first class - I was so wrong, exactly the same as cattle class, moo!

It sounds like you have it figured out with the doggy bags, so have fun and happy travels! 🗺️⁀જ✈︎