I've searched through the threads and it seems no one has trouble when they swim with their wafer/bag. Anytime I get in our pool, the tape stuff around the wafer comes lose, then it's only a matter of time....It doesn't matter how old the wafer is, it's coming off. I use the Convatec Moldable wafers and 12" bag. During normal wear, I get 5-7 days and always wear the Phoenix Ostomy belt. We went to the lake this weekend and I had to change twice in 3 days. I really think the ostomy belt helps me with the wear time, is there anything similar that works in the water? I hate wearing them in the water because they are $50 a pop, and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. I read about the Swim Gard, but wasn't sure if that would work or not? Thanks!

What I used to do when I went swimming or hot-tubbing is empty the bag and fold it up into a nice little 'package.' Then I'd 'picture-frame' it with pink Hy-Tape. That would keep water from getting in.

kathy

Never have attempted swimming yet. The "Dry Pro" belt looked interesting. But I remember reading a lot of negative reviews somewhere. Maybe they have improved it.


http://www.drycorp.com/content...otector-information/

What do you wear in the shower? Do you have problems getting things wet then?
I wish I could think of a solution for you other than trying the pink hy-tape which may very well do the trick.
We use hollister new image wafers with taped edges and never have a problem.

Right now I just jump in the shower and go, that doesn't seem to bother the bag at all. I have some hy-tape and I've used it after the pool where everything is coming off of me and sometimes that will make it last a little longer.

Hey Randy, hope you are good, it's been awhile! Have you tried using a sandwich bag? I know it sounds strange, but I have heard of it. You place your bag into the sandwich bag, pull it up and around the wafer and use the hy tape to tape it to your belly. Kind of what a post surgical patient would do if they had a wound and wanted to take a shower.
I am in and out of heated pools and hottubs all the time, and swim in a farm pond with hollister tape collar wafers without a problem

Hey there,
I am all about Coloplast. I use their Assura/Sensura convex light flanges. I have a leaking continent ileostomy, so my stoma is flush with my skin and it's super easy for poo to leak under the flange, so the convex pushes it in. Anyway, it isn't a tape flange. Coloplast also makes stoma caps, like a mini bag. If I don't eat before swimming I'm fine for awhile with that, no need for a huge bag. This stays on for about 4 days for me... I think if I had a regular ileostomy it would be longer, but I have to use this Coloplast Skin Barrier (second skin because of an indented scar) plus an Eakin seal just to keep the flange on. But anyway, the flange doesn't lift for any reason when I swim or take a bath, aside from the inside beside the stoma. When it lifts from the outer edge I put some of the Eakin seal under it and it holds for a couple more days. I am not a fan of Hollister and Convatec. I've tried tons of samples of everything and Coloplast is the one that sticks onto a hard to handle stoma, even with frequent water exposure. I do wear an ostomy belt as well to help, but I find it loses elasticity in the water.

Tiff

I found picture framing the flange with Hy-Tape kept my flange/bag on while in the water for a long time and and days afterward.

Try a Sure Seal. I haven't used one but I know others that go in the hot tub and swimming frequently and they swear by them.

I have a pool in the back yard,and use it all the time. I also use the Hollister "New Image" flange, and bag. Never had a problem 1 with the tape lifting off. I have pretty dry skin, that may be a help. I get 7 days regardless of what I do. Good luck,I'm sure you will find the right combo.

Randy, when you put a new wafer on, do you wipe the entire area that the wafer touches with a barrier wipe? If I don't use one under where the tape of a wafer is, it comes unstuck a lot faster, and almost immediately in water. If I use the barrier wipe under the tape, I don't have a problem. Hy tape, as others have suggested, works well for me, but I have to leave it on after I swim or taking it off tears up the wafer. I just swim and if I need to, blow dry the appliance afterward.

-Rae

Randy, i have the EXACT same problem! except i use a little white belt and not a phoenix belt. i keep meaning to try that out.

Interesting advice on here. I will be swimming in the ocean in a week and am concerned with the salt water affecting the adhesion of my bag. Does anyone have any experience with that? I even got an ostomy swimsuit and I really want to wear it!

We just got back from a week at the beach.
My son wears a new image 2 piece extended wear wafer by hollister. When we were ready to head up to the ocean I would exchange his lock and roll bag for a closed end one. I then put on one of those one inch belts that clip into the wafer itself so that it wasnt going to go anywhere. Then we put on a carefix belt by nu-hope (very soft/stretchy material....almost like an old fashioned tube top) to tuck it all in and keep it close. He wore regular swim trunks and a rash guard shirt. He was diving in the surf, getting knocked over, playing in the sand and just being a regular six year old.
AT the end of the day he took a shower and changed his bag only.

On the sixth day I decided to change his wafer just because....it wasnt leaking or anything but it seemed like time.

There are lots of other belts around but my son hates them all for the most part. The carefix is really comfortable. You could probably get a similar thing if you cut up some pantyhose but the carefix does have a hole to pull the bag through if you want.

Have fun swimming. The ocean is my favorite place to be.........

I've had dreams where I am swimming in the ocean without my bag on with a feeling of complete freedom. Has anybody ever tried it? Not sure if direct contact with salt water would be good or bad for the stoma.