You can swim or be in the water while wearing your pouching system.
Your pouching system is water resistant and is designed not to leak with the proper seal. Water will not harm or enter your stoma.1
Check your pouch seal.
Prior to swimming, make sure your seal is secure.
Empty your pouch before swimming.
Ensure your wafer has been on for at least an hour prior to getting wet. If you are nervous about output, eat a few hours before jumping in.1
What to wear?
Wear what makes you feel the most comfortable. Swimming with an ostomy should be fun and worry-free regardless of what you're wearing. Shop with confidence knowing there are so many options that could work for you. Ostomy swimwear and accessories are available here.
Always carry extra supplies
in case you are somewhere where supplies may not be available.
For peace of mind try ease Strips
ESENTA™ Hydrocolloid Strips may be helpful if you will be swimming for an extended period of time.
me+ Team Member Tip:
"I tell people who are scared to swim with an ostomy to spend a few hours in the tub on a lazy day. If your pouching system holds up to that, then the pool should be a breeze." ~Sarah B.
Meet Renee Welch, @beautifullybroken_rw
Renee has had moderate to severe Crohn's disease for over 25 years, which led to her ileostomy surgery. Her surgery was not an emergency, but her specialist informed her that her colon's scar tissue was concerning and may make it difficult to detect any colon cancer in the future. Before her ostomy, Renee was in severe pain every day, but now she is living life to the fullest with her stoma and sharing her story with her fans and friends on social media.
Renee Welch shows us her routine for showering and going to the beach with an ostomy pouch.
Get ready to make a splash.
Featured products
Esteem Body™ Soft Convex One-Piece Closed-end Pouch - with window
ESENTA™ Hydrocolloid Strips (formerly ease™ strips)
Unisex - Ostomy Swim Wrap - Tan
SUR-FIT Natura® ConvaTec Moldable Technology™ Skin Barrier
Natura® + Two-Piece Closed-end Pouch
Enroll in me+ today.
Featured Articles
10/10/2024
Travel
Traveling with an Ostomy: What to Pack
The idea of taking long trips with an ostomy may seem daunting at first. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime! Here’s our tips below to help make packing for your next adventure a little easier.
Read more10/17/2024
Everyday life
Travel
Road Trips with an Ostomy
Now that you have an ostomy, the idea of taking long trips can seem daunting. But with a little extra preparation, you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime.
Read more10/17/2024
Travel
Ostomy Travel Tips
Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.
Read more12/2/2024
Diet
Everyday life
Living with an ostomy: Hydration
Drinking more is one of the simplest ways to improve your health and well-being. These tips can help you stay one step ahead of dehydration.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion Tips for Men Living with an Ostomy
After ostomy surgery you can wear the same clothes as anyone else – and do it with style! Here are some fashion tips for men living with an ostomy.
Read more12/20/2024
Fashion
Fashion tips for women living with an ostomy
Here are some practical fashion tips from Jearlean Taylor, a successful model, author, and businesswoman who has never known life without an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Tips for Managing Anxiety After Ostomy Surgery
One of the biggest worries for people who have recently had ostomy surgery is what other people will think.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Fashion
Returning to Work with an Ostomy
From industrial jobs to the classroom, from long shifts at the hospital to dancers – and all workplaces in between – people living with an ostomy are successfully returning to work following ostomy surgery.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Back to school with an ostomy
As your child begins to recover from ostomy surgery, it is normal for them to feel fearful or anxious about their needs when going back to school.
Read more11/19/2024
Activity
Exercise After Surgery: Back to Basics
No matter what level of physical activity you want to pursue, ostomy surgery shouldn’t hold you back.
Read more12/20/2024
Everyday life
Bathing or showering with an Ostomy
Showering or bathing with an ostomy should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine. Here are some tips on bathing or showering with an ostomy.
Read more12/19/2024
Everyday life
Peristomal Skin Care
Knowing how to identify irritated skin around your stoma early and keeping it healthy could help avoid greater complications and make for a stress-free experience with your ostomy.
Read more1. Swimming with an ostomy. United Ostomy Associations of America. July 17, 2020. Accessed January 17, 2024. https://www.ostomy.org/swimming-with-an-ostomy/