Traveling

[clover5]

Four weeks out from colostomy surgery. I’ve had a few leaks and am still trying to get the perfect method to attach wafer. So I need to figure out how to deal with carrying supplies around. Do you carry around a spare bags and trash bag everywhere you go? Do you carry extra wafers and remover and seals everywhere you go? I was thinking I just need a spare bag for everyday then the rest for extended travel but wanted to hear how everyone else does it.

[nickolas]

I keep about 4 extra ostomy bags in my car when I need to change on the go. They consist of an ostomy bag, plastic zip lock bag and a small brown lunch bag. When traveling by air, I keep a 3-4 days of supplies with me on the plane, just in case my luggage does not make it. I have a piece of luggage that I can put under the seat that will hold my supplies and a few other personal items. When traveling by air, I always have a 3 day extra supplies, just in case who knows what might happen

I have 5' X 7' zip pouch that I will take along if I'm going out of town for the day, or traveling in someone's else car for an extended period of time. Inside of it, I keep a wafer, a few bags and any supplies I may need in case I blow a wafer on the go. I have not had that happen (blow out on the go, but I do worry about it happening). I got this pouch at Walgreen's years ago where they sale small travel items. Not sure if they sell them anymore.

I also have a blue card that I keep with my auto supplies or especially when traveling by air, that says I need to use the restroom now. It's a Traveler's Communication Card that I believe I got off this forum years ago. Nothing like having a lot of output, but until the captain turns of the seat belt light, I'm suppose to stay seated. That says I need to use the bathroom regardless. If you don't have one of those cards, get one. Let us know if you can't find it around here.

There is a learning curve in the beginning. I remember having a few blow outs, once was at a restaurant, that one taught me to be prepared. If I have a blow out now, I know it's because I did something wrong.

Hope this helped,

Nickolas

[nickolas]

Regarding leaks, Walgreen's has this wonderful Nexcare First Aid Tape that is waterproof. I keep some with me at all times. I generally wear my wafer for a week during the winter months, and about 5 days during the summer months. Sometimes I pushed that wafer to the limit. If I get a leak, I put that tape over the leak and I'm good for several hours. This is not to be confused with a blow out. If i have a leak at night, I put that tape on and change wafer in the morning. If I have a blow at night, it requires my attention. This generally happens if I am sleeping on my stomach and I just happen to have output. No place to go except out the side, blowoutl

Nickolas

[BillGK]

I have a colostomy. We drive cross country, often, and try to never fly. Whether it be on a cross country or cross town trip I carry a kit of extra pouches and disposal bags. I use nothing but disposable pouches. I keep one of these kits in each of our cars. I also carry a kit in my golf bag. If we are going someplace with other people, and they are driving, I carry an extra pouch and disposal bag in my pocket. Prepared like this, no worries.

[clover5]

Thanks, this helps a lot. My stoma is very flat and I haven’t had luck with the Hollister Deep Convex since the larger adhesive cover my belly button and the incision so it doesn’t adhere well. So now I am using a flat wafer and a small amount of ring barrier which so far has held for three days. Also barrier film seems to cause problems with the adhesive so am staying away from unless I develop skin problems. I use a stealth belt which seems to help keep the bag and wafer in place though I don’t sleep with it but I’d i use it right after changing wafer it seems to help it adhere better.

[Howard]

I have a colostomy. We drive cross country, often, and try to never fly. Whether it be on a cross country or cross town trip I carry a kit of extra pouches and disposal bags. I use nothing but disposable pouches. I keep one of these kits in each of our cars. I also carry a kit in my golf bag. If we are going someplace with other people, and they are driving, I carry an extra pouch and disposal bag in my pocket. Prepared like this, no worries.

Why do many recommend the two piece bag?

[ot dave]

Hi Howard,

I think many folks like the versatility of a two piece system. I have a colostomy, and I irrigate, so the two piece system allows me to change pouches without changing my flange and causing unnecessary skin issues. I wear a drainable pouch during waking hours. I remove that and then put on a closed mini pouch to sleep in (that's what I prefer to wear when sleeping), then in the morning, I remove the closed mini pouch and place an irrigation sleeve to irrigate with....After irrigation, I put on another drainable pouch for the rest of the day. I can do all of these changes without aggravating the skin. Others like the ability to change a full pouch during the day. There are many applicational uses for a two piece system, and folks choose them for a number of personal reasons. Hope that helps.

David

[darick]

I prefer two piece also. My wafer can stay on the skin for up to a week, just changing bags as required. I can take the bag off to clean when needed. And since I also irrigate, same benefits as David. One bag usually lasts me a few days, since there is typically minimal output. I keep a spare bag in my back pocket, if I do encounter a large output while out traveling.

[Mara]

I travel quite often - right now I am in Paris after being in London - I live in NY. I always take my extra supplies in my carry-on - actually on a short trip I carry-on a suitcase anyway. On a longer trip if I check a suitcase I keep all my supplies and meds with me.....

[Snowgoose]

I pretty much do the same as Nickolas except I don't have a "blue card".
I used to use the Nexcare First Aid Tape but found it bulky to carry. I switched to COLOPLAST BRAVA ELASTIC BARRIER STRIPS as they are flat, easy to pack/carry and work very well. I still have Nexcare First Aid Tape that I sometimes use at home.

[Snowgoose]

Hi Mara,
Hope you are enjoying Paris and taking your usual fantastic pictures.

[BellyButt]

I'm using Coloplasts mio bags and the older style plates. I keep one full set and one extra bag in a doggie poop bag. I will bring two sets and one extra bag if I travel.

[danilynn]

For everyday I just have a roll of pink tape and a Brava strip in my purse and that's it. For longer trips - for example, I went on a day trip to NYC over the weekend - I made up an emergency kit with enough supplies for a full wafer/pouch change. It all fits in a big Ziploc bag and then I put it in one of the Coloplast blue bags for a little camouflage.

For longer trips I take 2x the supplies I think I'll need and put half in my carry-on and half in my checked luggage. I figure then I'm covered if I lose my bag or my luggage is lost.

[steiconi]

I keep everything for a full change in my purse. I had to change my pouch while out the other day; that's the first time in years.

I store it in a cloth pencil pouch, the kind that fits into a binder. I saw some at Dollar Tree the other day. I've also used small cosmetic bags.

[Rock_Robster]

Ileostomy here. I have a small men’s cross-shoulder bag that I keep enough supplies in to do 2 full changes, plus a few extra things (Imodium, hydralyte, scissors, sanitising wipes etc.). I take it basically everywhere except to walk the dog or down the shops. If I travel I just add bags and seals to cover the number of days I’ll be away, plus a few extras. If I fly I just remove the scissors and keep it with me as carry-on. For a really long trip, some of the bags go in my checked luggage. Haven’t had an issue so far!