Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is that you are comfortable with your decision. You may want to explain that you had major surgery because of a serious illness and now wear an ostomy pouch. This often leaves few other questions to be asked and people will see that you have a straightforward attitude towards your condition..

Family and friends:

Being open and honest with the people close to you can help you get back to the life you had before your stoma surgery. In the beginning, it’s important for the people closest to you to understand that although you are back home, recovery from major surgery will take time.

Children:

If you have young children or grandchildren you may feel that they are too young to understand. However, children tend to cope well if they are given the information in a simple way. Children will often pick up on secrets and hiding the truth from them can sometimes make them think a situation is more serious than it really is.

At work:

Many people are concerned about telling work colleagues. And just like with family and friends, who you tell and what you tell them is entirely up to you. However it’s usually advisable to ensure that at least one person knows you have an ostomy. Then, in case there are any problems or issues, you will have someone to talk to.

Travelling:

Having an ostomy shouldn't stop you from traveling. You may, however, need a bit of time to adjust to having an ostomy and feel ready to travel. Start by taking short trips, and see how it goes from there.

Whether you are traveling by car, ferry, train or plane, it’s important to be well prepared. Pack a small, travel changing bag and keep plenty of extra pouches and any other supplies you may need with you.

Flying:

If you are flying, make sure you pack plenty of supplies to take with you on the flight and for while you’re away, plus extra for contingencies. Divide up your supplies in different bags just in case your luggage is misplaced or your flight is delayed. Don’t forget that scissors aren’t permitted in carry-on luggage, so cut all of your barriers to fit your stoma before you fly.

Don’t be concerned about your pouch expanding due to the change in cabin pressure. Ostomy pouches have been designed and tested to withstand pressure changes.

Traveling abroad:

Before you travel abroad, check your travel insurance policy to see how your condition and circumstances are covered while away.

In warmer climates, you may perspire more and thus need to change your pouch more frequently. Always make sure your skin is completely dry before applying a new pouch to ensure a good secure fit. If necessary, use a hairdryer to dry the area – but be careful not to have the heat setting too hot.

You may also be at increased risk of diarrhea or dehydration. Drink plenty of water, and consider bringing medicine to treat diarrhea, just in case.

Once you are on vacation, remember that you can still do all of the same activities you did before, and relax and enjoy yourself.

Vacation tips:

• Store stoma pouches in a cool place
• Use bottled drinking water to change your pouch when out and about
• Apply suntan lotion after you’ve put your pouch on, as the creams may affect the adhesive
• Seal and empty used pouches and dispose of them with normal trash
• If you feel a bit self-conscious about leaving pouches in your hotel room, use public trash cans
• Before leaving for your vacation, find out where you can get professional healthcare assistance at your destination, just in case.

Thinking ahead:

After surgery, it’s entirely possible for most people to go back to work. But when and how you do this really depends on how you feel, the type of work you do, and the stoma operation you had.

Talk to your employer and discuss your options as soon as possible. It may be possible to return to work part-time; this could be particularly helpful when you first go back as you may still feel tired and need time to get used to new routines.

Try it out:

A few weeks before you go back, do a few trial runs where you dress and plan your day as if you were going to work. Think about your diet and when and how many times a day you may need to change or empty your pouch. This will help you to establish routines and plan your day accordingly. Most importantly, it will make you feel prepared.

Tips:

• Speak to your employer as soon as you can
• If possible, build up your working hours gradually
• Check the available changing facilities at work
• Pack a small changing bag that you can take discreetly to the bathroom
• Do trial runs before you start work, thinking about diet and clothing etc.
• If your company provides healthcare insurance, check whether your condition affects the policy

Eat carefree - that's how it works

Perhaps this seems like a giant step to you. But there is no reason why you shouldn't eat in a restaurant.

Good preparation is important

You can always contact the restaurant to prepare before you go. And many restaurants put their menu online, so you can always find out what's available before you visit the restaurant.

Where to go

Maybe first choose a restaurant that you already know well. You don't have to be overly cautious, but you should be practical. Order what you feel like, but consider how you react to certain foods. Do not hesitate to ask the waitress which ingredients are used.

If possible, you can also order dishes that you have already tried at home. This will let you know how you are likely to respond. In turn, if you eat more and more different foods gradually, your concerns about eating out will decrease. Even if it is part of your life to drink alcohol at home, it is better to take it slowly. So a small beer is better than a big one. In this way, your body can get used to alcohol more easily and possible reactions can be reduced or even avoided altogether.

Don't let ostomy surgery keep you home

Though most things are easier in the comfort of home, it is really important to get back to living and enjoying all the things that you were doing before your surgery. That includes going out and socializing with friends and family.

Will it be awkward?

It is only natural to be concerned about having to explain your situation to people you don't know. But when meeting new people, remember that you do not owe them an explanation of your condition, and it is totally up to you if and when you choose to tell them.

Have a short explanation ready

Sometimes, preparing a short and confident explanation will help put your mind at ease even if you don't ever use it. For instance, you could simply explain briefly that you went through a serious illness, and because of that you had major surgery and now wear an ostomy pouch.

Avoid being too technical, and try to be open to questions - without over-sharing. Don't feel you have to explain details of your surgery even if they ask.

What about family and friends?

If you are open and honest with the people close to you, it can help you get back to the life you had before your ostomy surgery. It is completely normal if you still feel uncomfortable talking about it right after surgery. Keep in mind that opening up and sharing can be helpful to you and to them.

How to involve your partner

If you have a partner, it is good to have an open and honest discussion socializing with friends and acquaintances. Involving your partner in how you would like to explain your condition if and when you choose to, will help both of you handle the situation more naturally.

Intimacy and pregnancy with ostomy

After ostomy surgery, it is natural that you are worried about the appearance of the body. It may take time to get used to the physical changes and you may feel less attractive as a result. It can be a challenge but it is important to accept it as part of who you are.

What happens to the intimacy?

Intimacy and a normal love relationship can be resumed after ostomy surgery. How and when depends on the type of surgery you have undergone. Impotence and / or discomfort may occur if the rectum or bladder has been removed (women may also be affected).

It is important to talk to your partner and not feel too self-conscious because of the surgery. It is also important to talk to your ostomy nurse who is used to discussing the concerns you are experiencing and can help you in many ways. There are also several handy tips and tricks to cope with everyday obstacles. For example, you can customize lingerie so that they are worn as a tube around the body and cover the bag, or to use mini bags for intimate situations.

Can I have children?

In short, yes. Having a stoma does not prevent a woman from having a baby throughout her pregnancy and giving birth normally. As the stomach grows, the stoma will simply follow the shape of the abdomen as it changes. In later stages of pregnancy you may need to use a mirror when changing your bag. The delivery takes place in the normal way.

Talk about it

There is nothing safer than someone who really understands what you are experiencing. Through your local patient association you can meet other stoma surgeons and get useful tips, inspiration and personal support.

Nutrition tips for ostomy patients

In general, people with a stoma can eat and drink what they want, unless the surgeon or stomatotherapist has given them any other recommendations. But just like before the operation, some dishes are easier to digest after the operation than others. And immediately after the procedure, it can be helpful to pay special attention to the body's signals.

Immediately after the procedure

New research has shown that the faster you eat “right” food after the procedure, the faster your digestive system will get going again. Basically: Talk to your doctor about your meal plan after the ostomy.

In the first 2 to 4 weeks

• Your body is still in the healing process. Food that is easier to digest aids healing.
• You may feel a little bloated. So try to eat only a little at a time and eat more often.
• Easily digestible dishes are a good start.
• Chewing thoroughly is very important for good digestion.

4 to 6 weeks after the ostomy

• Sometimes the appetite subsides in the first four to six weeks after the ostomy / surgery.
• It may therefore be necessary to supplement your diet with proteins *.

Are there dishes that I am not allowed to eat?

There is no reason to avoid certain foods. But it's good to know that different foods affect stool properties in different ways. If you are unsure about a particular food, try a small amount first. If you don't have any problems - enjoy it! We recommend that you keep a food diary where you can record what you have eaten and what the effects are.

Don't be afraid of new dishes - but everything with reason. You may notice that certain foods cause more bloating than others. And even if these foods are not bad for you, you may want to reduce them a little. The same applies to chewing gum.

Just experiment and discard what is not good for you - you will find a balanced diet that suits you. Some foods, especially fiber-rich foods, can lead to regular constipation, in which undigested foods block the intestines. Chewing thoroughly can help, but constipation can be a serious problem. Read more about constipation further down this page.

What about fruits and vegetables?

You can still eat the famous "five servings" every day! The skins of some types of fruit and vegetables are quite firm. Therefore, it is best to peel them to avoid problems. This is especially true for potato and apple skins. And maybe you just have to prepare fruit and vegetables in a new way. with vegetables in the form of soups or fruit as fruit smoothies?

If vegetables get a little softer while cooking, this is also helpful. And root vegetables can be used to make mashed or puree very well.

When an accident occurs?

A bad experience should never result in you giving up a particular food. Only in the case of repeated problems should you perhaps better remove the "wrongdoer" from the menu.

And please remember: everyone reacts individually. What is good for one person does not necessarily have to fit for another.

* After consulting your doctor.

Drinks affect the digestive tract

If nothing speaks against it, you should consume at least two liters of fluid ** a day. This also prevents constipation. But you may be wondering if you can still enjoy your morning coffee, a glass of wine, or carbonated drinks.

Here are a few pointers:

• Coffee and tea are fine, but as usual, you should pay close attention to any reactions in your digestive tract.
• Carbonated drinks can lead to gas formation.
• Beer can make the stool more fluid.
• You can drink alcohol. However, alcohol can promote dehydration. So make sure you have enough water.

Especially for people with ileostomy

You can lose fluid especially after the procedure due to the relatively high amount of stool (approx. 1,500 ml). If nothing speaks against it, it is recommended to drink at least two liters of water daily plus the corresponding amount of fluid lost through the stool.

Three to twelve weeks after the procedure, the small intestine gradually gets used to absorbing more fluid and you may not have to compensate for the loss of fluid as you did in the beginning. Patients with ileostomy lose two to three times more fluid and electrolytes through stool than others.

** After consulting your doctor and if there is no disease that requires volume reduction.

Before you go

When booking your ticket: it might be a good idea to book a seat near the toilet as it might help take away some of your concerns and make you feel more confident as well.

You can bring as much as you can in your hand luggage within the requirements of the airline, but since you will not be allowed to bring scissors in your hand luggage we recommend that you cut all your barriers to the right size before you fly.

Going through security

The security scanner might detect your pouch, but you do not have to show your pouch, and security should not ask you to remove clothing to expose it or let them touch it. You may be asked to rub your hand against the pouch on the outside of your clothes, but that should be the extent of the examination. You can always show them your travel certificate, which explains your condition, the medical supplies you are carrying and why you might need support and privacy.

In the air

There is a slight risk that the pressure will cause the pouch to balloon. If this should happen all you need to do is go into the bathroom and take out the air. And remember that just as often ballooning is caused by something you ate or drank – so when you're flying be extra careful with carbonated drinks. If you are a little self-conscious about noise from the pouch, you will be pleasantly surprised by how noisy an airplane cabin is.

Warm climate

If the climate is warm enough to make you perspire more than usual, the barrier might lose adhesion and you may need to change your pouch more frequently.

Make sure your skin is completely dry before you apply a new barrier for good adhesion. It can be a bit tricky if the weather is very hot and humid – if drying your skin is difficult, you can use a hairdryer on low heat to dry the area (but be careful that it does not get too hot and keep it away from the stoma itself).

Sun lotion

Apply sunscreen after you put on your barrier, as the lotion could affect the baseplate and make it harder to stick. Read about applying sunscreen in the 'use sunscreen' section.

Storage

We recommend that your supplies are stored in a cool place – do not leave your ostomy products e.g. in the car for long periods during hot weather, since the heat may damage the adhesion.

Storage

Talk to your stoma nurse – and get the products you need

Talk to your stoma nurse – and get the products you need

When spending time in a warmer climate you might need a few more products than usually. For some people a skin barrier that helps the adhesive stick better can be very helpful, and if it is the edges not sticking properly an elastic tape can be a possible solution. Some benefit from using a antiperspirant on the skin in the area to be covered by the adhesive. 

What should you wear for beach- and swimwear?

The most important is that you wear something that makes you feel good – feel as you. Some people do not mind showing their bag when going to the beach, whereas some prefer covering up. Do what makes you feel the best. Unfortunately, buying specialty swimwear is no guarantee of a good fit. On the other hand, you might be able to find regular swimwear that fits your need perfectly.

On the beach, a sarong or wrap can be a great way to gracefully cover up without feeling out of place.

Swimming

Always make sure that the barrier sticks properly before going swimming – give it some time after applying. Be aware that the water can affect the adhesion negatively, so make sure to change your product more frequently if needed. For some people it can be helpful to use accessories when going swimming – using a skin barrier that helps the adhesive stick better can be very helpful, and if it’s the edges not sticking properly an elastic tape can be a possible solution.

It is always a good idea to talk to your ostomy nurse if you have any questions. You can also contact one of our customer service representatives at 1800 102 0550.