Ability to swim?

[cm3553]

Hi

I'm new to having a colostomy and before I got it I loved to swim? I can't seem to find any way to regain this hobby. Won't the wafer come off if it gets too wet? Any suggestions would be great. I'd love to get back in the water!

 

[dustydshook]

Hi my gram has a colostomy and she swim with us all the time! She hasn't shared any problems it causes and we are pretty close. So I say swim away! You cant even see it under her suit!

 

[Entchen]

You can swim and even scuba dive (just not below 100 feet with a colostomy)!

 

[merrywidow]

i have a illeostomy and have swum with the dolphins, with no problems. ask yourselt this question " does the wafer fall off when i have a bath" the answer is no, and it wont fall off in the pool either.

 

[cm3553]

Thanks for the input. I've been too afraid to try, thinking how embarassing it would be to jump in and a few minutes later have the bag or it's contents come floating up. Since I've had the colostomy I've been told that I can't even take a real shower because I'm not support to get it wet. I've only been able to take shallow baths and had to wash my hair under the sink. May try it out in there first.

 

[Jennifer]

I hope its worked out for you already but if you're still concerned, here's a quick read about the subject.
http://www.ostomysoftware.com/OstomyArticles/OstomyArticles072005.html

 

[Guest]

hi CM - try not to worry about this too much - i've been swimming many times with my stoma, and not once have i had a problem. i make sure the appliance is a reasonably newly applied one (say the day before), and that it's empty before i go into the pool... also i don't eat for a couple of hours beforehand.

i wear a costume which is ruched at the front, so nothing of what's underneath is noticeable.

something for you to investigate - i'm sure i've heard that colostomists can use a kind of stoma cap for swimming purposes, thus not needing to have the full-size appliance on. i have an ileostomy, so this option isn't something i can use, or know much about - maybe have a look on colostomy supplier sites, or ask your stoma nurse.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi CM - I would suggest checking back with your doc or stoma nurse. It seems like you should be able to shower at some point! Washing your hair under the sink for the rest of your life doesn't sound like fun!

Lots of people on here with stomas. There's a subforum for stoma threads - check that out and I'm sure you'll get lots of good advice.

Happy Swimming! - Amy