Swimming with colostomy bag

Now that mom has had a colostomy/ileostomy/ostomy ( I get so confused), her major concern is living to see another summer and SWIMMING!

Summer has been her favorite season hands down, because she loves the beach and to SWIM!

SWIM! SWIM! SWIM!  We don't have our own pool. We rely on beaches and trips to swimmable lakes and ponds.

Though sometimes if we're lucky, we do get invited to a place with a pool.

Getting used to the bag is going to take practice for her as it is.

She really wants to swim. And we read everywhere that she CAN. 

But there are lots of websites all claiming their equipment and protective covers are the best.


And then for all the "Yes you can" messages there ARE one or two that say "Oh, and BTW, if you do get bacteria in there from strange waters you can get very ill.


Yet people do it with no sweat?

So, what have you found are the key tips, and if she wants a supportive belt or extra protection, what do you find works well?

Thanks so much. 

Comments

  • Tunadog
    Tunadog Member Posts: 235 Member
    edited August 2017 #2
    I swim but I have a pool...

    I just got out of the Spa. I don't see how you could get bacteria inside the bag. My bag, a Coloplast Concave Sensi Mira which seals completely and comes with adhesive patches to cover the vent.

    My wife and I go swimming and get in the spa year round.

     I would ask her Oncologist and see what he says

  • Mommasgyrl
    Mommasgyrl Member Posts: 8
    edited August 2017 #3
    Tunadog said:

    I swim but I have a pool...

    I just got out of the Spa. I don't see how you could get bacteria inside the bag. My bag, a Coloplast Concave Sensi Mira which seals completely and comes with adhesive patches to cover the vent.

    My wife and I go swimming and get in the spa year round.

     I would ask her Oncologist and see what he says

    Thanks for the product name Tunadog

    Thanks Tunadog. I'll check out your product. The nurses said she should be okay although one or two were like.." Yeah, I'd like to know how you swim with that too." So clearly they aren't all familiar.