Pool use with an ostomy

[Shamrock4806]

Well it's been a very long time since I've been in a pool, mainly because in my old area most of them were outside and the pool water was hot on account of being beat by the sun.

However in my new area there are indoor gyms with barely heated pools so the water is a perfect 82° F or something. So I decided to join and used the pool.

I've noticed I couldn't really submerge on account the illeostomy bag has air it it and it tries to pull it off, so obviously I'm going to have to get a wrap and deflate the bag completely for pool use with swimming.

I've been concerned with the obvious pancaking that could occur (or backed up output) but for a few short laps or so perhaps it won't be much of a problem.

I've wisely used a dark sweat shirt to cover the bag up from grossing out the entire facility of course, find an empty locker stuck in the corner.

I'm rather proud of my ninja like experienced wafer adhesion techniques now on account of the bag trying to pull itself off, I didn't have to change it and now on my 6th day, two days after using the pool with no leaks

[sandys]

Can’t you empty the bag and get all air out before you go in the pool? That’s what Ive done in the past.

[Shamrock4806]

Hi Sandy's,

Yea that's what I'm thinking of doing, do a rinse and just leave it vacuumed flat, then running a few rounds of plastic wrap around it just before I go in. I wear a shirt of course. If all goes well I'll get a ostomy wrap for swimming.

I'll also time it after one of my regular meals exits as I'm rather predictable now. Then head over to the gym for about an hour, then drying off and releasing things for the trip home.

My last bag was 8 days and midway through I went into the pool so it's on really good.

[ot dave]

You don't need to wrap with plastic wrap. If you're pouch is leak proof from the inside, it will be leak proof from the outside. Yes, after prolonged time in the water, the edges of the flange get "soft", but it will hold up. I don't like the "soft" edges when I get into the water though. I have found a product called Sure Seals. It's an adhesive barrier that goes on top of and surrounds the flange. It resembles a very adhesive saran wrap. It can be a little tricky to apply, so I really only use them when I know that I'm going to be in the water a lot. I typically use them every year when I go to the beach, or when I'm scuba diving. I've never had one fail in over 15 years of use in the water. And, if you should spring a leak, they do a fantastic job of maintaining the leak until you can get somewhere to make a change. I'm sure that there are other places that you can get them, but I always purchase mine from Amazon. In fact just ordered another box this week as I'm heading to the beach in July!
Hope that helps some.

[Shamrock4806]

Hi Dave!

Diving huh? That's amazing.

I'm already using extra large barrier strips around my wafer, the problem is the ballooning effect and the wafer trying to pull itself off as I have to use paste and a convex. I rather enjoy my current 6-10 day bag wear times with only tiny leaks when it finally gives up. Full on blowouts haven't occurred for me in over a year now.

Thanks for the tip I'll look into that.

[Shamrock4806]

Okay, just vacuumed deflated the bag when stoma wasn't active and omitted the plastic wrap, swam underwater just fine.

Thanks everyone!

[Shamrock4806]

Even tried the hot tub, but it was only 104° F so I don't think it caused any separation issues yet.

[Shamrock4806]

I think the problem was that in the past I only secured the wafer without a whole lot of cleaning or pressure.

So now I've improved on all that and it's staying on for 8-10 days regardless of a pool or hot tub or hot shower, as long as it's not too long.

No leaks neither most times.

[Leftybeth]

You don't need to wrap with plastic wrap. If you're pouch is leak proof from the inside, it will be leak proof from the outside. Yes, after prolonged time in the water, the edges of the flange get "soft", but it will hold up. I don't like the "soft" edges when I get into the water though. I have found a product called Sure Seals. It's an adhesive barrier that goes on top of and surrounds the flange. It resembles a very adhesive saran wrap.

Hi, I looked on Amazon and "Sure Seal" (note not 'Seals) looks like a flexible plastic repair material for cars. I don't see anything advertised that is saran-like. Suggestions? Thanks

[ot dave]

Leftybeth,

Here is a link:

https://www.amazon.com/ALRS0210PK-Sure- ... iewsAnchor

[Shamrock4806]

If you have any problems applying it you can cut it in half and apply it in two pieces, one on the bottom then one on the top, it should work just fine. Try to ensure both edges are touching. Hold down firmly (like any adhesive) for a few to several minutes so body heat activates it.

I use 2 Coloplast extra large barrier strips which are already moon shaped and fit around their appliances well. Guess some ostomy manufacturers don't supply their own, cater more to the disposable hospital market which rips wafers off daily anyway to check the area for healing or surgery complications purposes. Nobody going in the pool or hot tub there.