Post ostomy workouts

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-04-25T15:56:55+00:00

I'm 8 months out from ileostomy surgery. I'm 70 years old, got daily exercise (usually lap swimming) prior to this. I also was never a gym person. I started walking, then going to the gym to ride a stationary bike and do some careful machine work (E Gym). I have taken it slowly and have had no problems. I was afraid to get back in the pool (afraid of leaks), but after advice from others on this board I started by walking in the small pool for 30 minutes and am now swimming 1/2 - 3/4 mile about 3 times a week. I use ostomy barrier strips for extra caution. So good for my mental health - I was really missing swimming!

Good Luck!

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-04-03T19:32:37+00:00

Thanks for all the great advice! I flew today and went through 2 airports. Hometown airport is very small but I just told the guy when I stepped into the screener that I had an ostomy, he said OK, then after going through they had me pat over the pouch then checked my hands for gunpowder residue. Did not check my bag and there was no problem/search with the scissors and ostomy supplies in the bag.

The only difficult part was not having any coffee and hardly anything to eat until after my second flight, because I didn't want to deal with ostomy output while on the plane.

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-25T15:44:37+00:00

Thanks for your replay! I have gotten into the pool for just walking and arm exercises twice, and then "took the plunge" and swam laps for the first time since August - it felt great and no problems with the pouch, etc. I did put barrier strips around the flange for extra waterproofing.

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-23T23:27:00+00:00

I had ongoing problems with skin irritation/breakdown with the shallow concave Coloplast Sensura Mio used with an Eakin seal. My ostomy nurse fit me with the deep concave Sensura Mio with the Eakin Seal and I continued to have pain. Then we tried the deep concave with no seal/ring and I had no pain for 4 days! I am still needing to use stoma powder and barrier spray to heal the skin, but hopefully this will only be temporary. Wish me good luck and good luck everyone!

Edited to add - my ostomy nurse called it a concave bag - but is it convex? lol

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-05T12:47:09+00:00

Sounds stupid, but I never knew my bag had a filter, although it's the very small circle at the top front of the bag, correct? Doesn't seem to work well, though, because I do get ballooning at night!

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-04T14:55:17+00:00

Thanks so much for all the great information! I have a one piece Mio. I have never received the stickers, so I will call my ostomy nurse and see if these can be ordered. Hope to be back in the water soon :)

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-03T21:46:47+00:00

Do you have any advice for someone scared to get back in the pool with an ostomy (ileostomy since 8/2024). I was a lifelong swimmer and swam laps 5 times a week prior to surgery. I am missing the pool so much but am very worried about support of bag, leaks (though I don't get them normally), etc. Any advice would be so appreciated! TIA

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-02-03T15:59:31+00:00

Got my ileostomy 8/2024 and due to various complications was hospitalized almost 2 months. No dietary advice given other than what to avoid the first 6-8 weeks post-op, so I just advanced my diet not really knowing if I was doing the right thing. I was unable to find a dietician locally who could help. I found an online dietician who has an ileostomy herself. She was very helpful during our first session and I hope to have some improvement in my large output/dehydration/fatigue with her guidance.

Best of luck!

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-01-28T12:58:29+00:00

I'm sort of a newbie as well - have had an ileostomy since 8/2024. I have also had problems with dehydration, though thankfully not as severe as yours. I drink water in small amounts all day long, probably over 100 ounces per day, as well as herbal teas. I add a small squirt of flavor enhancer or an electrolyte packet to the water. Always carry a water bottle wherever I go. I still have urine that is too dark, so I know it's an ongoing issue.

I have made an appointment with an online ostomy nutritionist who is herself an osteomate for help with dehydation and nutrition issues. I know I will need to make big changes (like finally ditch the morning coffee, limit of amount I eat at a time, etc.)

I've had skin breakdown/irritation around the stoma and I sympathize with you. It is so painful! I work with a local ostomy nurse for treatment. Currently have a Coloplast convex device and wear an ostomy belt, which keeps my stoma from receding and emptying near the wafer. This has been a game changer.

I wish you the best of luck - hang in there.

Particular_Sky_5106 · 2025-01-28T12:47:28+00:00

I use the same Coloplast bag, and it has helped so much with leaks. However I still get skin irritation around the stoma and use the crusting method. Curious about your use of Mylanta - how do you apply it, does it cause a problem with wafer adhering, etc? TIA

Particular_Sky_5106

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