Swimming after radical bladder cystectomy

Hi Jack H . I've not had cystectomy so not much help, but let me welcome you to the group. I am sure others with experience will be along to offer some help when they pick up your post. Best wishes.

Hi Jack H

Iam 6 weeks post op with my RC. iam looking forward to getting back to all the things I did before my operation,  although somethings may be done less enthusiastically.

I don't really know about the swimming but I've read you can swim normally with a stoma bag. I suppose it depends if you're in a swimming pool or the sea. I suspect salt water may have an effect on the bag. It's trial and error I suppose and you'll know yourself after the swim by the condition of the bag.

Let us know how you get on with the swimming 

Best wishes 

Mark

Hi Jack H 

I’ve had 2 stomas for over 5 years including a urostomy. I go swimming on holiday both in the sea and in the pool with no issues. I would always make sure both bags are completely empty before going into the water and I always change both when I get out as I personally want to get dried off and not have wet bags hanging from me! 

I’ve never had a single urine infection in more than 5 years, and look forward to the next time I’m on holiday and in the pool again in 2 months. I’ve also never had any issues with bag adhesion-they still stay well attached. 

Feel free to join us in the stoma support group if you’d like-we have lots of hints, tips and advice for travelling on holiday with a stoma or stomas. 

Stoma Support Group

I hope you’ll have a lovely holiday.

Sarah xx

Hi Mark and Sarah,

Many thanks for your posts and Sarah that’s really interesting and positive about swimming- will give it a go!

Thanks again,

Jack.

Hi Jack. Once you do it once and experience being in the water your confidence will increase. It’s really no big deal and I don’t feel that my bags are visible at all. I was a little apprehensive to begin with, but it was so wonderful to be back in the water again and be in the sunshine. 

Sarah xx

Hi Jack H, I haven't swum since gaining my stoma but I do regularly take saunas (at home) and shower afterwards. I change my bags every 2 days and manage to keep to that schedule after the sauna too ie I find the bag stays on and the sticky bit does dry out and remains stuck. Sometimes the skin beneath is reddened for a while. However, if using a public sauna or after chlorinated water or seawater I would change immediately. I have not had any infections so far but drink at least 2 ltrs of water daily and am very careful when cleaning and changing bags. One thing I learned is to wash my hands properly before emptying the urine as well as afterwards. Plus I was taught to wash out night bags properly every morning.

I note the specialist stoma underwear suppliers also sell swimwear for stoma users so clearly many people do swim. And I read about someone with a colostomy who recently swam the channel. So you'll be in good company.

By the way, the Urostomy Association website has useful information about travelling - it's free to join too. We're told to take extra stoma bags etc and I wondered if that meant airlines might give a bigger luggage allowance? Like most of us I ordinarily have spare clothes and bags etc in my rucksac when I leave the house as I have had to change on occasion after springing a leak, although that was mainly in very hot weather after brisk walking  and when the bag became too full.

I am unlikely to bother with foreign travel now - we're both over 70 and can't face any more airport chaos - but I recently spent some days away from home (1st time in 3 years ie since before my operation).

On the first occasion I found packing  stressful  as I took too much spare clothing and bags in case of leaks. And luckily didn't need it. On the 2nd trip I still took extras though not so many and felt calmer because of the previous experience. 

Enjoy your trip.

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