Colostomy bags are common for people living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. These specially designed bags attach to a stoma — a surgical opening in your abdominal wall — following a colostomy operation. Their purpose is to catch your fecal matter (or stool) when you can’t pass it through your colon or anus.
Whether temporary or permanent, a colostomy bag can help improve your overall quality of life, including allowing you to engage in most types of physical activities — such as swimming, scuba diving, and water sports. Health organizations including the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society and the American College of Surgeons agree that people living with ostomies can resume their usual physical activities after their surgery has healed.
If you have a colostomy bag and want to hit the pool or beach, read on for some facts and tips to ensure you have the best possible swimming experience.
1. Colostomies Are a Well-Known Treatment for IBD
If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or know someone who does, you’ve likely heard of a stoma, ostomy, or colostomy bag. It’s useful to understand what they are, how they work, and how they may impact your lifestyle.
Approximately 1 in 500 Americans live with an ostomy, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. In many cases, these are lifesaving surgeries. In other instances, they’re used to treat various digestive and urinary conditions and to improve quality of life.
The purpose of an ostomy surgery is to provide a way for waste to leave the body when the digestive or urinary system is disease or damaged — or has been removed. During an ostomy, a surgeon creates an opening in your abdominal wall, called a stoma, through which fecal matter can exit. This allows the intestines time to heal.
Types of ostomies include a colostomy, where the stoma opening is specifically from the colon (large intestine), and an ileostomy, where the opening is from the ileum (small intestine).
Once a person has a stoma, an ostomy bag can be securely attached to it and collect waste. Following a colostomy, a person receives an ostomy bag called a colostomy bag, which is usually worn on the lower left side of the abdomen.
Most colostomies are temporary and will be reversed with surgery.
Read more about stomas and IBD.
2. You Can Swim With a Colostomy Bag
Living with a colostomy bag can take some adjustment. Some people understandably worry about how it may affect certain activities, including swimming in a pool or hot tub or at the beach. You can indeed swim safely with a colostomy bag following an ostomy.
Ostomies aren’t open wounds after your surgery has healed. Furthermore, colostomy bags are specially engineered medical devices designed to be waterproof and airtight. They shouldn’t leak as long as the seal is secure.
There are some important points to remember when swimming with a colostomy bag:
- Before you swim, make sure the seal is properly in place.
- Always empty the colostomy bag before swimming.
- Avoid putting on a new skin barrier/wafer or pouch immediately before swimming. It is best to wait 12 hours for good adhesion.
- If you have a filtered pouch, use a cover sticker on the filter to make sure water doesn’t get in. When you’re done swimming, you can remove the cover.
One MyCrohnsAndColitisTeam member with an ileostomy shared: “I apply waterproof tape around the edges of the ostomy wafer, and I am all good to go! This also works in hot tubs.”
“Go visit your pharmacy place and bring home with you some good waterproof tape. You should be able to locate that in the first aid aisle. Open up that package and apply that waterproof tape around your ostomy’s wafer edges all around,” recommended another member. “It may not look like a fine work of art, but it will allow you to go enjoy swimming and soaking in hot tubs! Tuck the lower portion of your ostomy into your swim trunks so it does not flap around and possibly come undone and fly off.”
It’s good practice to periodically inspect your stoma site for signs of skin irritation. If you notice any discoloration or rash, it’s important to tell your doctor or ostomy nurse without delay.
3. If You’re Worried About Swimming, Do a Practice Run
You might feel nervous about getting your colostomy bag wet. That’s perfectly normal and understandable.
One way to ease your mind is to do a practice run, so you can get comfortable with the idea of submerging the bag in water. Before swimming in a pool or at the beach, try spending some time in a bathtub in the privacy of your own home. Then you’ll be able to see your pouch hold up well in the water, and gain confidence that you can swim in a pool or other body of water.
4. Find Swimwear You Feel Comfortable Wearing
If you’re worried about what to wear while swimming with a colostomy bag, remember you can wear whatever you’d like. There are many swimwear choices available to you, including swimsuits designed specifically for people with colostomy bags. Some options to consider include:
- One-piece bathing suits
- Two-piece bathing suits with a high-waisted bottom or skirt and a tankini or ruffled top
- High-waisted swim trunks
- Belts and wraps to conceal ostomy bags
Undergarment material that’s stretchy or a rash guard shirt can provide extra support. In terms of color, a darker hue or a pattern will conceal your colostomy bag better than a lighter-colored garment.
5. Come to the Pool or Beach Prepared
If you’re living with IBD, an emergency kit is a good idea. That way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re prepared for any issues. An IBD emergency kit may include essentials such as cleanup supplies, a change of clothes, and medications.
If you plan to swim for a long period of time, consider using barrier strips or waterproof tape on your colostomy bag. And bring along extra.
If you’re worried about stool output in your bag while swimming, plan to eat several hours beforehand. Then empty your colostomy bag before your swim.
6. Know Your Rights
Some people — including members of homeowners, apartment, or condo management associations and public pool administrators — wrongly think swimming with an ostomy is a health hazard. Some people just don’t know about colostomies or make preconceived judgments.
Remember that you have all the same rights as any other person to use a pool or go to the beach, and you can’t be denied access because of a colostomy bag. If you run into issues, know you are protected under the Fair Housing Act or the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), depending on the location of the incident.
If you’re asked to leave or refused entry to a pool at your apartment, condo, or housing complex, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Some states have also outlined official rules to ensure people with colostomy bags have access to public swimming pools.
7. Talk to Your Doctor if You Have Questions or Concerns
If you have questions about how to engage in activities like swimming with a colostomy bag, talk to your gastroenterologist. They can help you take the necessary precautions to ensure you remain safe, healthy, and active.
Talk With Others Who Understand
MyCrohnsandColitisTeam is the social network for people with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and their loved ones. On MyCrohnsandColitisTeam, more than 169,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with IBD.
Do you have questions about swimming with a colostomy bag? Do you have any tips for others about staying active with your colostomy bag? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.
FAQs
Some people understandably worry about how it may affect certain activities, including swimming in a pool or hot tub or at the beach. You can indeed swim safely with a colostomy bag following an ostomy. Ostomies aren't open wounds after your surgery has healed.
Can you go swimming with colostomy bag? ›
You can swim or be in the water while wearing your pouching system. Remember, your pouching system is water-resistant and is designed not to leak with the proper seal. Water will not harm or enter your stoma.
What do you wear to swim with a stoma? ›
Women can wear full swimsuits, and patterned designs are particularly good at disguising any lumps or bulges. High waisted bikini bottoms will also cover a pouch and hold it in place. For men, swimming shorts with higher waistbands can cover the pouch.
What activities can you not do with a colostomy bag? ›
Lifting weights can put a strain on your healing tissues after your surgery. If you want to resume weight lifting, talk to your doctor or ostomy nurse about a binder or hernia prevention belt to support your abdomen while you lift. Sit-ups and crunches can be uncomfortable with an ostomy bag, also called a stoma bag.
What are the limitations with a colostomy bag? ›
Avoid applying products that contain alcohol as they can cause dry skin. Do not use skin products made with oil. They will make it difficult for the pouch to stay attached. If you have hair on the skin surrounding the ostomy, you may need to keep it shaved so the pouch will stick.
Are all stoma bags waterproof? ›
Most types of exercise are possible with a stoma, including swimming, as all colostomy bags are waterproof.
Should you drink a lot of water with a colostomy bag? ›
Keeping hydrated with an ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy
You should try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day along with any other drinks such as tea or coffee. Top tips to keep hydrated would be: In warmer weather if you are perspiring more you will need to drink more water.
Can you wear skinny jeans with a stoma bag? ›
You may wish to keep your clothing loose for the first couple of weeks, because your tummy may feel uncomfortable. But the good news is that in a few weeks, you should be able to wear your usual clothes. Wearing tight-fitting clothes will not affect your stoma.
How often should you shower with a stoma? ›
You can always shower without a colostomy bag, water and pH-autobalancing products do not harm your stoma. In fact, 38% of colostomy patients prefer to shower bag-less every time, and 23% shower without the bag 3-4 days per week.
Can you wear jeans with a colostomy bag? ›
Make sure your clothes are not too tight around the bag.
You may need to be careful that waistbands do not rest below the stoma restricting ability to drain into your pouch. Depending on stoma placement, you may feel more comfortable with high- or low-rise waistband items, like underwear, jeans, or activewear.
Can a colostomy bag qualify for disability benefits? Yes. As a general rule, if you have a colostomy bag that makes it difficult to work, you'll qualify as disabled. If your colostomy bag is functioning well or if you expect to have it reversed within the year, you probably won't qualify.
What is the difference between a stoma bag and a colostomy bag? ›
A colostomy is an operation to divert 1 end of the colon (part of the bowel) through an opening in the tummy. The opening is called a stoma. A pouch can be placed over the stoma to collect your poo (stools). A colostomy can be permanent or temporary.
What activities should be avoided with stoma? ›
It is best to avoid any heavy lifting or exercise for the first 12 weeks after surgery or until your colorectal specialist tells you that it is safe to do so, however after that time being an 'active ostomate' can have a positive impact on your overall health as it does for everybody.
What is the biggest patient problem for a colostomy? ›
Issues or problems with the skin around the stoma is probably the most common complication for ostomates. Not only is having sore skin extremely uncomfortable for the patient but it can also compromise the attachment of the bag to the skin causing leaks and leading to further skin damage.
What are 4 complications of colostomy? ›
Complications of ileostomy and colostomy may include stoma or skin complications, dehydration, problems absorbing nutrients, and intestinal obstruction.
How long can you leave a stoma uncovered? ›
Taking a Skin Break
Many people enjoy leaving their skin uncovered for 15 to 30 minutes after taking their pouching system off. This is called a skin break. Taking a skin break can help with irritation or keep it from happening. You can decide if you want to take a skin break.
Do you pee as normal with a stoma bag? ›
About Your Wet Colostomy
After your surgery, your urine (pee) and stool (poop) will leave your body through your wet colostomy stoma. Your stoma will have 2 parts (see Figure 1): A urinary diversion. Your urine will flow from your kidneys, through your ureters, and out of your body through your urinary diversion.
Can I take my ostomy bag off to shower? ›
You can bathe or shower with or without wearing your pouching system. Normal exposure to air or water will not harm or enter your stoma. If you're showering without your pouch, remove the skin barrier too. Try to create a routine that coincides with when you're due for a pouch change.
How many times a day do you empty a colostomy bag? ›
If you allow it to get too full, the weight of the stool may pull the pouch away from the skin. A person with an ileostomy will need to empty the pouch about five or six times in a 24-hour period. If you have a colostomy, you will need to empty the pouch two or three times in a 24-hour period.
What is the best thing to drink with a stoma? ›
Drink sports drinks (such as Gatorade or Powerade) and oral rehydration solutions (such as Pedialyte). These drinks will help replace your fluid loss quickly, especially if your ostomy output is high. A high output is more than 1000 milliliters (about 34 ounces) per day.
Raw vegetables, including salad e.g. lettuce, celery, raw bell-peppers and spring onions. Hard to digest vegetables, including beans like butter beans or green/runner beans, sweetcorn, peas, mushrooms, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach, kale and spring greens.
Can you eat chocolate with a colostomy? ›
One major issue to watch out for with a stoma is the laxative effect of some chocolates. The caffeine and fibre within the chocolate can increase the rate of motility (which is the contraction of the muscles in the digestive tract that encourage bowel movements).
Can you wear shorts with a colostomy bag? ›
High waisted garments
As well as Comfizz offering high waisted garments such as waistbands and underwear, high waisted swimwear can be good to try as an ostomate if you're wanting to keep your ostomy bag more discreet and supported. Garments such as high waisted jeans and shorts can also be good to try.
What are the best pants to wear with an ostomy bag? ›
For active wear, consider wearing yoga pants or stretch pants to help support the pouch during exercise. You might also try biker-style shorts since they can be worn alone or layered under shorts, exercise pants or other stretch pants.
Can you sleep through the night with a stoma? ›
It's always a good idea to empty or change your stoma bag before you go to bed as it will help to prevent your bag from filling up too much overnight and disturbing your sleep. A full stoma bag is always at risk of leaking and that's not something you want to experience during the night.
How often should you poo with a stoma? ›
For those with an ileostomy, output tends to be thinner and more frequent, prompting about six to eight bathroom trips a day. Some people who have an ileostomy may be looking for ideas on how to firm stool up a bit and decrease output and/or trips to the bathroom.
What is the best position to sleep with a stoma? ›
The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.
How do you sleep with a colostomy bag? ›
The most popular positions amongst ostomates tends to be on your back or on your side. While sleeping on your front is considered the most comfortable by many, it can put pressure on your stoma which can cause problems. Therefore, it's a good idea to get used to sleeping on either your back or your side.
Can you drink alcohol with a colostomy bag? ›
Maintain in control. Finally, make sure you don't drink too much that you lose coordination or control. Remembering to change your stoma bag is really important to avoid any leakages, so as long as you don't drink to the point that you physically can't change your bag, then you should be absolutely fine!
Do you have to watch what you eat with a colostomy bag? ›
It's best to eat mostly bland, low-fiber foods for the first few weeks after your surgery. Bland foods are cooked, easy-to-digest foods that aren't spicy, heavy, or fried. Eating bland foods will help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms, such as: Diarrhea (loose or watery bowel movements)
Medicare Coverage for Ostomy Supplies
| MEDICARE-COVERED OSTOMY SUPPLIES | ALLOWABLE QUANTITY PER MONTH |
|---|
| Closed ostomy pouches | Up to 60 |
| Skin barrier with flange | Up to 20 |
| Adhesive remover wipes | 150 every 3 months |
| Ostomy belt | 1 |
5 more rowsFood options for people recovering from a colostomy include:
- non-fat or low-fat skimmed milk.
- lactose-free dairy products.
- yogurt.
- cheese.
- lean animal proteins.
- small amounts of nut butter or nuts.
- low-fiber carbohydrates, such as white pasta or bread.
- well-cooked vegetables without skin.
What is the Medicare Limit on Ostomy Supplies? Medicare will cover up to a three-month supply of ostomy products at one time. You must have a prescription from your doctor to receive coverage under Medicare. The supplier must also be accredited and contracted with Medicare.
Can you pass gas with a colostomy? ›
Passing wind with a stoma
When you have a stoma, there are only two options for gas. It has to come out of your stoma, or out of your mouth. From your stoma, gas usually leaks very slowly into your stoma bag.
How much can you lift with a stoma? ›
Most doctors will give you a lifting restriction of 10 pounds to avoid hernias around your ostomy. If you participate in a contact sport such as football, wresting, or karate let your Page 2 ostomy nurse or your doctor know. You may require a support binder with a cover for your stoma.
Does a colostomy bag smell? ›
Colostomy bags can have an unpleasant odor, causing embarrassment for patients who wear one. There are ways to prevent smells from your colostomy bag.
What irritates a stoma? ›
Skin irritation around your stoma is usually caused by leakage from your ostomy pouch and the output from your stoma getting underneath the adhesive and onto your skin. It is uncomfortable and can stop your pouch from working well. The skin around your stoma should look similar to the skin on the rest of your body.
What are common issues with stoma? ›
Some of the most common stoma problems
- Leaks: Leaks can occur for a number of reasons. ...
- Skin irritation/sore skin: Looking after your skin is the most important part of caring for your stoma. ...
- Tips: Ensure your template is fitting well. ...
- Diarrohea/Loose stools: ...
- Ballooning: ...
- Hernias: ...
- Prolapse: ...
- Granulomas:
As long as you have no complications and your healthcare professional has no objection, you can enjoy almost any kind of sporting activity. Contact sports, such as rugby or football, can be possible. Even sports that call for a lot of bending, such as bowling and aerobics, have been taken up after having stoma surgery.
What is the life expectancy after colostomy? ›
The studies revealed the average age of a person with a colostomy to be 70.6 years, an ileostomy 67.8 years, and a urostomy 66.6 years.
After surgery, risks include:
- Narrowing of the colostomy opening.
- Scar tissue that causes intestinal blockage.
- Skin irritation.
- Wound opening.
- Developing a hernia at the incision.
A colostomy is a major surgery. As with any surgery, there are risks of allergic reactions to anesthesia and excessive bleeding. A colostomy also carries other risks, such as: damage to nearby organs.
What is the disadvantage of colostomy? ›
Con: There will be leaks.
You have certain movements that might reduce the strength of the ostomy. You might have oily skin, which makes leaks more likely.
What are abnormal signs of colostomy? ›
Stoma blockage
- not passing many stools, or passing watery stools.
- bloating and swelling in your abdomen (tummy)
- tummy cramps.
- a swollen stoma.
- nausea and/or vomiting.
Keeping hydrated with an ileostomy, colostomy and urostomy
You should try to drink 6-8 glasses of water each day along with any other drinks such as tea or coffee.
Can I change my ostomy bag every day? ›
Change your pouch every 5 to 8 days. If you have itching or leakage, change it right away. If you have a pouch system made of 2 pieces (a pouch and a wafer) you can use 2 different pouches during the week. Wash and rinse the pouch not being used, and let it dry well.
Why does my stoma bag keep blowing up? ›
If your current stoma bag has a filter and you are still experiencing ballooning problems, it may be suffering from excess wind. Spicy foods, some particular vegetables (onions, cabbages, peas, and beans) and fizzy drinks have been known to increase wind, so we would recommend avoiding these in your diet.
Is having a colostomy bag a disability? ›
Yes. As a general rule, if you have a colostomy bag that makes it difficult to work, you'll qualify as disabled. If your colostomy bag is functioning well or if you expect to have it reversed within the year, you probably won't qualify.
Can you go in a hot tub with a colostomy? ›
All over the world ostomates are living normal active lifestyles including participating in sports, cycling, running in marathons, mountain climbing and most definitely swimming including going into hot tubs. A stoma is NOT an open wound, so having an ostomy is no reason to stop these activities.
Do you still pee normally with a colostomy bag? ›
About Your Wet Colostomy
After your surgery, your urine (pee) and stool (poop) will leave your body through your wet colostomy stoma. Your stoma will have 2 parts (see Figure 1): A urinary diversion. Your urine will flow from your kidneys, through your ureters, and out of your body through your urinary diversion.
A colostomy may be temporary or permanent. It is usually done after bowel surgery or injury. Most permanent colostomies are "end colostomies," while many temporary colostomies bring the side of the colon up to an opening in the abdomen.
Can you sleep with a colostomy? ›
The best position to sleep in when you have a stoma is on your back, or on your side. If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, this will be fine at the beginning of the night but increases the chances of leaks as the night progresses and your bag fills.
How do you keep an ostomy dry while swimming? ›
Try to apply a new skin barrier or pouch at least 12 hours before your swim. Some products take a while to adhere to your skin properly, and waiting a couple of hours can maximize the barrier's adhesion potential.
Do people with colostomy bags know when they are pooping? ›
Most people will be able to feel their bowels move and know when poop is about to come out. But you won't be able to control it anymore. Unlike your anus, your stoma doesn't have a muscle system that allows you to close it at will. So pooping won't be the intentional action that it used to be.
How often do you poop with a colostomy bag? ›
Stool and gas will leave your body through your anus, as they did before surgery. At first, you will have more frequent bowel movements, up to 15 per day. You may have mild bowel control problems and may need to wake up from sleep to pass stool.
Does poop in a colostomy bag smell? ›
Many ostomates worry about odour. If the stoma bag fits well there should be no smell except when changing it. If you do notice a smell from your bag, you should check it as there may be a leak under the flange and the bag will need changing.
How can I hide my ostomy bag? ›
Wearing multiple layers of clothes can also help to minimize the visibility of a pouch. Swimming is often a concern, as those with ostomies feel that the pouch will be highly visible under snug bathing suits. Again, choosing a bathing suit with dark colors and/or a pattern will help to conceal the pouch.
