Traveling With an Ostomy: How to Prepare, Fly & Stay Confident

Traveling with a stoma can bring up some anxiety. It still does for me, and I’ve heard the same thing from plenty of other people living with an ostomy.

There are more things to think about. Do I have enough supplies? What happens if I have a leak? How will airport security handle my ostomy? Where’s the nearest bathroom? What if my flight gets canceled? What if I eat something that causes a problem?

I’ve learned that I can’t eliminate every possibility, but I can prepare for most of them.

The more organized I am before I leave, the less time I spend worrying once I’m traveling. These are the strategies I use to make traveling with an ostomy as simple and low-stress as possible.

Pack More Ostomy Supplies Than You Think You’ll Need

My first rule is simple: bring more supplies than you expect to use.

I generally pack about twice as much as I think I’ll need. On a recent two-night trip, I packed as though I were going away for four nights. I didn’t use a single extra pouch, but that’s not the point.

We can’t plan for everything. You could have more leaks than usual, a flight could be canceled, supplies could get damaged, or you could end up somewhere longer than planned.

I also recommend knowing the exact brand names and product numbers of your ostomy supplies. I take pictures of mine and email them to myself so the information remains accessible even if something happens to my phone.

If you suddenly need replacement supplies, having that information can make things much easier.

Divide Your Supplies and Build an Emergency Kit

I don’t keep all my supplies in one place.

Most go into my main suitcase. I keep another few days’ worth in my carry-on or backpack. Then I have a third layer: a small emergency kit I can grab immediately.

My emergency kit contains:

• A change of underwear
• A pair of shorts
• A T-shirt
• Two ostomy pouches
• Two barrier rings
• Two cleaning wipes

Why two pouches?

Because I’ve had situations where I put on a new pouch and something simply wasn’t right. I had to remove it and start over.

That doesn’t happen often, but if I’m already dealing with an emergency in an airport bathroom, I don’t want my only backup pouch to fail.

I keep everything together in one small plastic bag. If something happens, I grab the bag, find a bathroom, and take care of what I need to take care of.

Prepare Your Supplies Before You Leave

I recommend pre-cutting at least a few barriers or wafers before traveling.

I travel with scissors, but my emergency supplies are different. In an emergency, the last thing I want to do is find my scissors, measure everything, and cut a new opening while I’m already stressed.

I’ll usually pre-cut two or three and make sure I have enough barrier rings, wipes, and disposal bags.

None of this is complicated. The value comes from having everything organized before you need it.

Getting Through Airport Security With an Ostomy

For me, airport security is probably the most uncomfortable part of flying with an ostomy.

On my most recent trip, I was wearing my Stealth Belt, as I normally do, and after going through the scanner I was pulled aside.

I’ve gotten used to explaining that I have an ostomy. This time, there was additional screening around my pouch. I felt like people were watching me, and I was uncomfortable.

But it passed.

That’s what I try to remember.

That one moment of discomfort is not enough to keep me home.

Traveling matters to me. Seeing people I love matters. Having experiences matters. A few uncomfortable minutes at airport security aren’t worth giving those things up.

An ostomy travel communication card, including cards available through the United Ostomy Associations of America, may make communicating with security personnel easier. You can also ask about a private screening if you’re uncomfortable being screened publicly.

TSA Cares is another resource that can provide additional assistance to travelers with disabilities or medical conditions during airport screening.

The important thing is to know your options before you arrive.

Preparing for International Travel

International travel requires another level of preparation because you can’t assume security procedures or communication will work exactly as they do at home.

If you’re visiting a country where another language is spoken, consider having your medical or ostomy travel card translated. You may also want to carry a doctor’s note and have that translated as well.

Before leaving, identify:

• Where you could obtain replacement ostomy supplies
• Where you could receive medical care
• Who you would contact if something went wrong

Airline policies differ, so check with your airline before traveling. Some may permit a separate medical-supply bag without the normal baggage charge, although requirements vary.

Preparation doesn’t mean expecting something bad to happen. It means knowing what you’ll do if it does.

Managing Your Pouch and Bathroom Access

One of the simplest things I do while traveling is empty my pouch more frequently.

I empty before leaving home, before airport security, while waiting for my flight if necessary, and immediately before boarding.

Once I’m on the airplane, I don’t wait until the last minute. On a four- or five-hour flight, turbulence or another situation could require everyone to remain seated. I don’t want my pouch nearly full when that happens.

I also choose an aisle seat because being able to get to the bathroom easily matters more to me than the view.

I use the same strategy on road trips. If I stop somewhere with a restroom, I’ll often empty even if my pouch isn’t particularly full.

My rule is simple: when a convenient bathroom is available, use it.

Be Careful With Food While Traveling

Vacation is a great time to try new restaurants and foods. With an ostomy, I still enjoy eating while I’m away, but I’m more cautious than I might be at home.

The middle of a travel day isn’t when I want to discover that a vegetable doesn’t digest well for me or an unfamiliar meal dramatically increases my output.

I generally keep things fairly simple and carry snacks I already know work for me. Pretzels are one example. They’re easy to carry, contain some sodium, and I know how my body responds to them.

What’s safe for me won’t necessarily be safe for everyone.

Know your foods.

Foods that are difficult for you to digest or that significantly increase or liquefy your output can create additional challenges while you’re away from home.

You don’t have to be afraid of food while traveling. Just experiment with some caution.

Stay Ahead of Hydration

Hydration is another thing I don’t leave to chance.

I pack electrolyte packets because I don’t know what will be available everywhere I go. That becomes especially important if I’m somewhere hot or experiencing higher output than usual.

My basic travel approach is simple:

Carry electrolytes. Keep the diet relatively simple. Experiment with caution.

For me, those three things eliminate a lot of unnecessary worry.

Don’t Let Your Ostomy Keep You Home

All these tips help with the practical side of traveling. But there’s another side that matters just as much.

I’m getting ready to fly home to see my sister for her birthday. My family is having a celebration, and I haven’t been home in five years.

When I first thought about making the trip, I immediately started thinking about everything that could go wrong.

I have to fly again. I have to deal with TSA. I’ll be sleeping somewhere other than my own bed. I may be sharing a bathroom. I could have a leak.

That’s what anxiety does. It starts presenting reasons why staying home might be easier.

But then I remind myself what staying home would cost me.

I’ve been through colon cancer. I’ve been through surgeries. My stoma helped keep me alive, and I’m fortunate to still have the opportunity to see my family, travel, and experience my life.

This trip is helping me remember that I want to live. I want to do some things, and I’ve been given the opportunity to do that.

That matters more than the temporary discomfort of going through security or worrying about where the next bathroom is.

Preparation gives me confidence. It doesn’t guarantee nothing will go wrong. Nothing can do that.

It simply means I’ve done what I can, and then I go live my life.

So pack your supplies. Make your emergency kit. Plan ahead. Know where the bathrooms are. Bring your electrolytes.

And then go.

A stoma doesn’t have to keep us down.

The information in this article is based on personal experience and is intended for general educational purposes. Individual ostomy and medical needs vary. Check current airline, airport, and security policies before traveling, and consult an appropriate healthcare professional regarding individual medical concerns.