You might have seen my recent post, reacting to a viral video by a fellow ostomate about flying with an ostomy. This ostomate was talking about being moved from having extra leg room seats and how disgusted he was, blaming having to empty his bag more frequently and having a leak on this move.
As you can see from my reaction, I wholeheartedly disagree with needing extra legroom on a plane, solely due to an ostomy. In fact, later that day I did a 7 hour drive, during which I could stretch out my legs fully, as needed. This made no difference to the fact I had to stop twice on the way to empty my bag. When sitting for long periods, this is just one of those things you have to do, due to your bag being bent in the middle. When working at my laptop for any length of time, writing blogs or planning lessons, I have the same thing and will empty my bag more often. Being able to stretch out my legs does little to help, I am still bent in the middle.
Anyway…onto the reason for my post today as I have already had my say about this video on social media. I get messages from people every week facing stoma surgery and asking how their life is going to change. Posts like this do little to help, with people terrified they won’t be able to go on a plane because they will leak etc. Not the case! And so today I thought I would share some tips and advice that will help you when travelling, hopefully easing any worries and making the flight as easy as possible!
1 – Extra luggage allowance
Travelling when you have an ostomy means you have to take extra things on top of the usual shorts, sunglasses and swimsuits. You will need to take more bag changing things with you than you think you will need – think more changes due to the changes of diet, drinking, the hotter weather and if you are in and out of a pool or the sea. You always want to have enough supplies on hand for an emergency too – think delayed flights or hospital admissions while away.
2 – Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
I have previously written a post on my blog about this scheme and its brilliancy for people with hidden disabilities.
Travelling With A Chronic Illness – The Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
Wearing one of these lanyards will alert airport staff to know you might need some extra assistance, which they can liaise with you about. Different people will have different accessibility needs and this will give you the opportunity to ask for things that will personally help you.
3 – Seating
Lots of us with ileostomies have other health conditions that extra legroom may help with, for example my rheumatoid arthritis. I have never asked for this, as I have personally been able to manage my condition in a ‘normal’ seat and prefer to be sat with my family. I regularly exercise my legs both in my seat and by walking to and from the toilet and I always wear flight socks. Sitting near a toilet can be really useful when you have an ostomy and this can be requested.
When you book your holiday, phone your airline to request these types of things as soon as you can – seating, extra luggage allowance etc. can all be arranged with them but it is best to do this as soon as possible to ensure they have the capacity to meet your needs.
4 – Emergency kit
Most of us with an ostomy will carry an emergency kit on us at all times. It is like an emergency grab bag for if you have a leak and you should definitely have one on your flight.
In mine I take a few spare bags, wet and dry wipes, adhesive remover, barrier spray and baseplate extenders. Just a reminder – no scissors allowed in your hand luggage so make sure you cut your bags before you pop them in your emergency kit and keep your scissors in your checked bags! Also remember that any liquids have to be placed in a see through plastic bag and you can have no more than 10 items in your hand luggage bag. Each must be under 100ml – this will include any sprays you have in your kit.
5 – Odour control
When using a public toilet – being out and about, at work or at friends and family member’s houses – one of my major concerns is odour control. A small bathroom in an enclosed place like a plane is a source of anxiety for me for sure. I have previously written a post about this, where you can read more tips and tricks to help, Stinky Stanley – Coping With Smelly Output.
My personal methods of helping with this include using the Respond Neutralise Drops in my bag and I will have a spray I can use as an air freshener too.
6 – Will my bag explode?!
I have seen this rumour flying (ha!) round and no, your bag will not explode on the plane. As at any time your bag can fill with air and it is just a matter of going to the toilet to expel it!
7 – Thickening capsules
If you struggle with liquid output or worry that this may happen on the plane, consider using some of the thickening products available. Many different companies have different options available (more information on this post) and you pop one or two of these in your bag and it will thicken any output you have. I always have a couple in my emergency kit too, just in case my output starts increasing or becoming really watery. They may also be handy to take with you on holiday as diet changes when you are in a foreign country may affect your output and these will help manage that.
8 – Hydrate!
Hydration is always important, particular with an ileostomy, but on an aeroplane, in a hot country or when consuming more alcohol – this is even more essential. Find out more about how to keep yourself well hydrated in the following posts:
Coping With A Stomach Bug When You Have An Ileostomy
I hope these tips have given you some information that will help you in your future adventures, as well as a reminder that just barbecue you have an ostomy doesn’t mean you cannot fly or it is horrendously difficult! Most airlines and airports have a really good set-up to help people with different acceptability needs and it is all about what is important to you and will help you when travelling.
Any other tips you have, I would love to hear them in the comments so other readers can check them out too!
Happy flying everyone,
The Spoonie Mummy 
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