Going abroad with a stoma

Hi MaryChar2046 

I travel abroad regularly with 2 stomas (colostomy and urostomy) and we have had a few discussions about this in the stoma group. You might want to join this group and take a look? This is the link-

Stoma Support Group

There is a thread called “Travel Advice” and one called “Holiday Tips, Planes, Boats and Trains” where we discuss foreign travel where some of us have provided advice and tips about our trips. I hope you’ll find it useful and will have a lovely holiday.

Sarah xx

Hi MaryChar2046

I went to Spain in the April after, having an Ileostomy in the previous August. I had so much advice from Sarah and the link and thread recommended 

A holiday is the very best therapy  

best wishes and enjoy !

Thank you very much for that Sarah.  I am sure I will be fine, its just little things like disposal of the bags etc.,  I am sure I will cope fine, its a case of having to do if you want to live life to the full again.  I will go onto that thread and can see what others have coped whilst abroad....thanks again.

Thank you, yes I am looking forward to going to Spain, as I never thought I would go abroad again after being so ill last year, so I am going to make the most of it , like you say a holiday is the best therapy.  

I have two stomas and dreaded the flight process on a trip to Lanzarote. I triggered the body scanner and the security people were kind and understanding when I explained the stomas. I had left some coins in my pocket! No problem there.

I drained the pouch before boarding the plane. I didn't have much food and drink before and during the flight- just in case. While others queued for the toilets after take off I had no need to use it. The pouch didn't expand because of the cabin pressure. Again, no problem there.

At the hotel it was life as normal  and the disposal bags were left with the general waste in the room. No problem there either. Stomas are worldwide don't forget so just double up on your spares, in case of delays and carry everything in your hand luggage.

The return flight was just the same. Enjoy yourself and choose wisely at the buffet!

Thank you for replying, and sounds like everything was fine for you when you went to Lanzarote.  I am  pretty lucky as I shower in the morning change the pouch and that is fine all day, then I change if before bed and then as I say need to change it in the morning, so hopefully I will be fine on the flight..like you say will take double the amount I need as you never know.  To be honest I can eat most things, but will be a bit more careful out there, as I do find fish seems to be a bit dodgy now.  Thank you again for replying.

Hi there 

I had an Ileostomy which I always kept as empty as possible. So the day before travel I ate small and food that I knew was good and whilst travelling I drank water.
I wore easy wear dark clothing and took spare on the flight. Just a tunic and leggings. I didn’t need those either but felt confident as I had everything I needed close as hand in my flight bag. I also put more supplies in the hold  suitcase 

Thank you, Like you say eat small the day before, and that is a good idea just to take spare leggings, just in case, luckily I have always been ok, but there is always a first time.  The flight to Spain is not too long so hopefully I will be fine, but thank you for your reply.

It’s just for confidence. I was normally okay but you never know. I had a bag that fitted on top of my cabin case which gave me fast access  to my products meaning I had my gear with me on the plane and more in the hold. It’s perfect and easy for the security to check   It’s similar to these

I read somewhere that you are allowed extra cabin baggage.how do you do that? Do you ring the airline,thanks

Kath