After an ostomy surgery, it's normal to think about how it will affect your daily life, especially when it comes to activities you love, like swimming. The good news? Having an ostomy doesn't mean you have to give up time in the water. Regardless of whether you're swimming in the pool, planning a day at the beach, or relaxing in a hot tub, you can still enjoy your favorite water activities. Here, we'll go over a few tips to help you stay comfortable and confident, along with recommendations for swimwear and accessories to help you feel your best.
Common Concerns About Swimming With an Ostomy
Many ostomates are hesitant to go swimming because they fear their pouching system will leak or malfunction while in the water. Although this is an understandable concern, having an ostomy bag shouldn't prevent you from swimming or even engaging in water sports. As long as the seal is strong, there's no need to worry about leaks. To help build your confidence, you can even test it in the bathtub to check the seal.
Another concern you may have as a new ostomate is the visibility of your ostomy bag. While you shouldn't feel embarrassed, there are ways to be discreet using swimwear and accessories. We'll talk more about those later.
Regardless of what you're wearing, is it safe for your stoma to be exposed to water in pools, oceans, lakes, or even hot tubs? In general, yes. You may want to wait a while until you've completely healed after ostomy surgery, but once you get clearance from your doctor, it's okay to enjoy the water! Just make sure to keep an eye on the peristomal skin for signs of irritation or infection.
6 Tips for Swimming With a Stoma
To help you make the most of your time on the water, we've put together a few tips to build your confidence and stay comfortable. If you have any questions or concerns about any of them, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or ostomy nurse.
1. Choose the Right Ostomy Supplies for Swimming
While all ostomy bags are designed to be water-resistant, there are a few products that can help increase your confidence while swimming. First, some stoma bags were designed with long-term exposure to water in mind. These are going to be ideal for when you want to spend the day in the water without worrying. A high-quality, closed-end or drainable pouch that has strong adhesive and was designed for water activities is a great starting point. Your doctor may recommend a few swim-friendly options that have more low-profile designs without sacrificing quality.
You may also want to try using skin barrier rings to help provide an extra waterproof seal around the stoma. This can give you a little added protection and keep water from compromising the pouch's adhesive. Other options to help reinforce adhesion are barrier strips or waterproof tape that's applied around the edges of your flange or wafer.
Your ostomy pouch can then be secured snugly against your body with an elastic ostomy belt. This can help reduce the pouch's movement during swimming and also support the weight as it gets wet. Alternatively, you can look into fabric or neoprene ostomy wraps or swim covers to help increase discretion while securing your pouch.
Individuals with a colostomy who have more predictable output may also be able to go on short swims using a stoma cap. However, it's important to talk to your doctor about this beforehand.
2. Prepare Your Pouch Accordingly
Once you've got all of your favorite supplies on hand, it's time to get ready for the water. Right before you go for a swim, take the time to empty or change your pouch. You don't need to do this every single time you go into and out of the water, but it can be helpful to start with an empty pouch so you can gain a bit of confidence. If you have a two-piece ostomy pouch, start the morning with a fresh adhesive application.
During application, apply the appropriate waterproofing products and give the adhesive enough time to fully dry before getting in the water.
Finally, utilize whichever products you'd like to maximize ostomy support while you're in the water. Whether that's a belt, a wrap, or simply a full-coverage swimsuit is up to you.
3. Practice At Home to Build Confidence
While pouches are designed not to leak, it can still be a little scary to get into the water for the first time with a new setup. To help you test out any products and get a little peace of mind, test out your pouching system in the shower or bathtub. This gives you a chance to check the seal strength and your comfort levels, so you can make adjustments before going to the pool or beach.
You'll want to give yourself enough time in water to see how the adhesive reacts to prolonged moisture. You can also try moving around in some different positions or making swimming strokes. It might feel a bit silly at first, but this is a good way to make sure that the seal around your stoma will hold when you're moving around in the water. The more familiar you are with how your ostomy gear performs in water, the more comfortable you'll feel once you're out in public.
4. Choose the Right Swimwear
When it comes to any water-based activity, the right ostomy swimwear can make all the difference in both comfort and confidence. For men, high-waisted swim trunks can help support and conceal the pouch, while women often find that bikini bottoms with a higher rise, one-piece swimsuits with built-in support panels, or tankinis and swim skirts provide excellent coverage and flexibility.
You can also try ostomy swim wraps or bands, which are designed specifically to cover and secure the pouch discreetly under your swimsuit. For even more discretion, opt for dark-colored fabrics, bold patterns, or suits with double lining.
5. Perform Periodic Checks
To keep an eye on how everything is going, take a quick moment to discreetly check your pouch and the seal around your stoma whenever you get out of the water. This helps prevent minor issues from becoming bigger ones and gives you peace of mind as you grow more comfortable with swimming.
6. Focus on Comfort and Joy Instead of Appearance
Finally, it's normal to feel a little self-conscious about swimming with an ostomy at first, but try to shift your focus to how you feel doing the things you love. Try to remember that most people are focused on themselves, not your pouch, and many won’t even notice it.
Can You Enjoy Other Water Activities With an Ostomy?
In addition to going for a leisurely swim, you can also enjoy a summer filled with several other water-based activities. People with an ostomy can do almost everything they could before the surgery, including snorkeling and scuba diving. You can even go into hot tubs and saunas; you just need to be a little careful about exposure time and adhesives. Don't hesitate to talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about water-based activities.
When to Avoid Swimming
While swimming is generally safe with an ostomy, there are certain times when it’s best to wait. Avoid swimming if you’re still healing from surgery, especially if you have open wounds or sutures near your stoma. It’s also best to stay out of the water if you’re experiencing skin irritation, infection, or issues with your pouch seal, as submersion can worsen these problems. Always check with your healthcare provider before returning to water activities, especially after a recent procedure or if you have ongoing concerns.
Where to Find the Best Ostomy Products for Swimming and Daily Life
Living with an ostomy doesn’t mean you have to sit on the sidelines. With the right supplies and a little planning, you can fully enjoy swimming and other water activities. From choosing the right pouching system to finding a bathing suit that fits your lifestyle, the key is discovering what works best for you and gives you peace of mind in the water.
When you’re ready to stock up on reliable, discreet, and swim-friendly ostomy products, Byram Healthcare has you covered. As a trusted provider of ostomy supplies, we offer a wide range of high-quality ostomy products from top brands, delivered right to your door with personalized customer support. Contact us today to learn more.
