How to Travel With an Ileostomy Inflight
To perform an ileostomy, a surgeon attaches the small intestine to the abdominal wall, bypassing the large intestine. Waste exits through an opening called a stoma. A plastic ostomy bag attaches to the stoma to catch the waste. This is a radical procedure for most people and makes them rethink their activities. With planning and practice, most activities, including travel, are manageable.
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Instructions
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Don't rush into travel. Wait until you are fully recovered before taking your first post-op plane ride.
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Attach a fresh ostomy bag just before flight time. This will keep you more comfortable, especially if there are delays.
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Pack extra supplies and keep them in your carry-on luggage. Write down your product numbers and keep them in your wallet.
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Gas in ostomy bags expands with altitude. As the gas in the intestinal tract expands, the stoma's output of fecal matter and gas will also increase. If you have to take the bag off while flying, beware of fecal overflow.
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Tips & Warnings
While traveling, store your ostomy supplies in a cool place.
Don't limit yourself. It's a big adjustment, but many people do exciting things post-surgery. An ileostomy was just one of Susanne Pettit-Crossman's medical challenges. But after her surgery in 1998, she went hang gliding and loved it.
Both ileostomies and flying can leave people dehydrated. Drink plenty of water.
References
- Photo Credit airplane image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
