What to consider are you go on holiday as you live with a stoma, ostomy bag.
What do you need to consider as you plan your holiday?
Are you a person that will worry about……..
Or are you a person that what the heck I am off on holiday no matter what?
There is not a right or wrong answer to this. You are you but what you need to think about it and what is the best way for you to get on that holiday.
Getting on holiday is so important as you either relax, sit at the side of the pool reading that book you have promised yourself. Or are you the person that wants to explore where you have gone to. Taking in the culture and scenery. Or are you a person that does both? Great
No matter which holiday you choose the process is the same.
So here we go on what you need to plan for and think about
How many ostomy, stoma bags and the rest of the produces that you use and should I take. The best way to think about this to have to many is better. I take 50% more than I really would use but some people like to take 100% more. There is no right or wrong way but DON’T just take what you would normally use.
WHY??? you are in a different climate, different delicious local foods, hydration/ dehydration which all affect your stomach, stoma, ostomy.
Are you worried about what can I do whilst I am away……
Yes there are so much that you can do as you live with a stoma, ostomy. Yes you have to think about a bit more but that shouldn’t stop you.
A quick tip
Tip take adhesive wet wipes remover instead of the adhesive spray remover. Takes up less space and weight.
So lets look at these,
Swimming-
empty your bag before you go into the pool. Yes a quick pat now and again is good to give you that piece of mind. Once you are out of the pool then a full bag change is needed. Which is easy to do. What fun have you had with the people that are around you.
Sunbathing-
using sunscreen is so important to use as we all have to look after our skin. It is so easy to overlook the importance of this, as you think that the sunscreen will affect your ostomy, stoma bag on your body. What you have to do is keep the sunscreen close to your stoma, ostomy flange and this shouldn’t affect how the flange stays on your body. Getting your vitamin D is essential for your energy levels.
Insurance-
please make sure that you are being honest about your health needs, Yes this could cost more but lets say that if an insurance company can find away out of paying they will.
Food-
it is great to try to eat the local mouth watering food, that is one of things that you do on holiday. Please bear in mind that this could upset your tummy. (not scaring you) so why not just give it a try, a small amount and see how your body responds to it. Follow this up with the food that you would normally eat. This is just keeping a balance for you and your stomach. But do give it a try as you might find a new food that you can eat once you are at home.
Hydration-
it is so easy to forget to take a regular drink of water/juice when you are enjoying yourself. For us ostomates this is so important to do. Keeping a 1 litre bottle with you so that when you see it you will be reminded to take a quick drink. The last thing that you need/want is an issue with a blockage due to dehydration.
Another quick tip
What to do if your flange is not sticking on as you are in a warmer, hotter climate. A roll on deodrant (unscented) works ace. Before you apply your flange/bag dry your skin and then use the roll on where your flange, bag sits. Make sure that it is fully dry then apply your stoma, ostomy flange, bag. Result.
What to consider are you go on holiday as you live with a stoma, ostomy bag.
What do you need to consider as you plan your holiday?
Are you a person that will worry about……..
Or are you a person that what the heck I am off on holiday no matter what?
There is not a right or wrong answer to this. You are you but what you need to think about it and what is the best way for you to get on that holiday.
Getting on holiday is so important as you either relax, sit at the side of the pool reading that book you have promised yourself. Or are you the person that wants to explore where you have gone to. Taking in the culture and scenery. Or are you a person that does both? Great
No matter which holiday you choose the process is the same.
So here we go on what you need to plan for and think about
How many ostomy, stoma bags and the rest of the produces that you use and should I take. The best way to think about this to have to many is better. I take 50% more than I really would use but some people like to take 100% more. There is no right or wrong way but DON’T just take what you would normally use.
WHY??? you are in a different climate, different delicious local foods, hydration/ dehydration which all affect your stomach, stoma, ostomy.
Are you worried about what can I do whilst I am away……
Yes there are so much that you can do as you live with a stoma, ostomy. Yes you have to think about a bit more but that shouldn’t stop you.
A quick tip
Tip take adhesive wet wipes remover instead of the adhesive spray remover. Takes up less space and weight.
So lets look at these,
Swimming-
empty your bag before you go into the pool. Yes a quick pat now and again is good to give you that piece of mind. Once you are out of the pool then a full bag change is needed. Which is easy to do. What fun have you had with the people that are around you.
Sunbathing-
using sunscreen is so important to use as we all have to look after our skin. It is so easy to overlook the importance of this, as you think that the sunscreen will affect your ostomy, stoma bag on your body. What you have to do is keep the sunscreen close to your stoma, ostomy flange and this shouldn’t affect how the flange stays on your body. Getting your vitamin D is essential for your energy levels.
Insurance-
please make sure that you are being honest about your health needs, Yes this could cost more but lets say that if an insurance company can find away out of paying they will.
Food-
it is great to try to eat the local mouth watering food, that is one of things that you do on holiday. Please bear in mind that this could upset your tummy. (not scaring you) so why not just give it a try, a small amount and see how your body responds to it. Follow this up with the food that you would normally eat. This is just keeping a balance for you and your stomach. But do give it a try as you might find a new food that you can eat once you are at home.
Hydration-
it is so easy to forget to take a regular drink of water/juice when you are enjoying yourself. For us ostomates this is so important to do. Keeping a 1 litre bottle with you so that when you see it you will be reminded to take a quick drink. The last thing that you need/want is an issue with a blockage due to dehydration.
Another quick tip
What to do if your flange is not sticking on as you are in a warmer, hotter climate. A roll on deodrant (unscented) works ace. Before you apply your flange/bag dry your skin and then use the roll on where your flange, bag sits. Make sure that it is fully dry then apply your stoma, ostomy flange, bag. Result.
