Swimming/bathing with an ostomy

[Kip]

Does anyone know when you can swim or take a bath again after formation of a stoma/ostomy site. I do not have a bag attached due to my severe latex allergy, I have a catheter coming out of my stoma site. I had pioneering surgery so no one is sure in the UK just wondered if anyone out there had similar experience or advice.

Kip

:help:

[DebbieD]

Yes you Can still swim. I love it. During the Summer Months I am always doing some Laps.I am From the Beach and Brought up swimming.
I swim, Hike, Camping and go to Nascar Races.Which mean long trips. I settle back with with my bedside Bag and Let Hubby do the Driving. If I need to strecth or to just get out of the Car I unhook and Just get out of the Car. When I get Back in I hook up again. I have a pillow and Blanklet and I just along for the Ride. Believe me I have been on a trip before for14 hours.
I love to Travel.

We are Moving within another week. I have my Meds and Pillow and Blanklet.The Cat will be in the Back seat.

Moving from Detroit MI, to Winston salem , NC. I am from NC.My Drs. are at Duke. My Husband Job is Taking me Back home.And I am ready.

Hugs
DebbieD

[Kara29]

I went out for my 5 year wedding annivversary 2 months after I had my reconstruction and Indiana Pouch. I still had a tube that was stuck in there, the SPT tube that needed to be surgically removed after we celebrated. As long as that tube was capped off, I was able to spend hours in that Hot Tub and I DID!

I did ask my Surgeon first if I could go into the hot tub or any sort of water after only two months because I was worried that the Stoma would shrivel up but that did not happen.

Kip,

Just as long as that tube is capped off so no water can get into it. I hope your doctor gives you the go ahead to bathe and shower, swim or whatever water activity you decide to do. I would give your doctor a call first.


Kara

[Judith56]

I agree with Kara, make sure that the catheter is capped off so that n othing can enter it. You may also want put a waterproof covering over the stoma so that water can not seep into any open spaces. Do talk to your surgeon and if you have ET nurse ask them as well. They may have some good ideas about how to make sure that water does not enter the site. Judith

[Kip]

Thank you for your replies. I can't unfortunately wear waterproof dressings due to my severe latex allergy, so that rules out that option.

The catheter has a valve attached to the end of it so it is secure in the sense it won't allow water in.

The actual problem is with the stoma itself, where the tube comes out it is not a tight fit and so the stoma is constantly breaking down or overgranulating. I have asked my surgeon and nurse and they just say at this time I can't swim or bathe, showers are ok.

I have tried using a barrier cream but again I am not water tight, ummmmmmmmmm

Kip

[Judith56]

Your surgeon and nurse do have the final say so until they tell it is okay I think you need to go by thier advice. When you have a cut what do you use to cover it? Here in the States we do have latex free band-aids that are also waterproof. Good luck to you. Hopefully with time the stoma will change a bit so that there is a better seal around the tube. I know I ahve that problem with mine too.

[Kara29]

:) I forgot, but Judith reminded me. I used a large square waterproof covering that you can get at any drug store, just make sure it's waterproof. I used this over my stoma as it was still healing while hot tubbing.

Thanks for reminding me Judith, that was important!

:)

Kara

[Kip]

Do you have the name of the manufacturer? I will need to check with them that the dressing is latex free.

Thanks Judith and Kara

Kip

[Kara29]

Kip,

I'm sorry to hear that you can't swim or bathe yet. Maybe in a few more months you will be able to do so! Your healing is the most important at this time. Soon!

Kara

[Kara29]

Kip, it was Johnson and Johnson for the band aid covering. And the stoma covers are made my Ampatch. I don't know if either one are latex free but you could call or ask a pharmacist about the bandaids. You can call the number on the website about the Ampatch stoma covers if they have latex in them or not. Judith may also know about that. They make LOTS of stoma covers for all types of diversions so you may need to tell them what it is you have so they can assist you better and tell them that you are allergic to latex products and adhesives. I know my doctor wanted me to limit my time in salt water because he said that it could over time break down the stoma. I would again, ask the doctor about that one too.

http://www.edgepark.com/information/contactus/

Kara:smile tee