Once you know you’ll be traveling, especially if you’re traveling far from home and/or out of the country, you’ll need to plan ahead.

Ostomy Cards and Paperwork

If it’s your first trip, consult your doctor or ostomy nurse about any questions or concerns you have. They will be able to answer any questions about food or resources, and they can provide you with a note explaining your condition in case it comes up during your travels. It’s a good idea to have this note translated if you’re headed somewhere where you don’t speak the language.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) can issue a Travel Communication Card that you can download, print, and laminate. The card, which is blue, alerts TSA officials to screen you discreetly due to a medical condition. TSA Cares has information about passengers with disabilities and their approach to screening safely, equitably, efficiently.

An additional resource from Coloplast, Travel Certificate, is a great thing to carry. It describes ostomy supplies in English and a few other languages.

Alimentación

As you prepare to fly, be aware of food that would affect you negatively, such as foods that cause a smell (like broccoli, alcohol, eggs, and onions) or foods that make your output more liquidy (like fried and sugary foods). Avoid these foods the day or two before you travel, and while you’re on the go. Stock up on deoderizers and supplies like M9 to mask any smells as you use the public bathrooms.

Extra Supplies

Weeks before you depart, make sure to place an order for ostomy supplies, as needed. As you pack, you’ll likely clear out a lot of your stash. Don’t let yourself come home to an empty ostomy supply cart. Make sure you also have the numbers and brand of your supplies handy, should you run into any emergency situations and need to quickly request or reorder supplies. Remember: If you’re ever in an emergency, hospitals carry ostomy supplies, as does Amazon (although your insurance will not cover what you buy off Amazon.)

Before you travel, take time to think through what you’ll need on the trip. It may help to write a list so you don’t forget!

Think through the number of bags, flanges, wafers, etc. that you typically need during the time period you’ll be gone, then pack two-to-three times the amount of supplies you’d usually need.  This way you’re prepared should you have unexpected leaks, extended stays, or run into any other issues. Some ostomates choose to precut all the flanges so they don’t need to travel with medical scissors,  although most security stations let them pass through. Many ostomates also purchase a medical tag (that looks like a luggage tag) to attach to the bag with their ostomy supplies.

When packing your ostomy supplies, pack half of it in your carry-on bag and half in your checked luggage. You never know when a bag will get lost, travel plans get disrupted, or you’ll need to do an emergency bag change in the airport. Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on as well, just to be safe.

Many ostomates will feel the most anxiety about going through TSA. If you’re able to sign up for TSA Precheck, it can help this process. Precheck passengers typically face shorter lines and walk through metal detectors versus body scanners. Because there is no metal in the ostomy bag, most ostomates walk through airport security without any issues.

If you are asked to walk through a body scanner at TSA, it will pick up your ostomy bag. Be open with the TSA official, either verbally, or by flashing the blue TSA Communication Card. Rather than pat you down over the ostomy bag, you may be asked to touch the bag with your hand, which will then be checked for explosives. According to the TSA, you can be screened without exposing your stoma or emptying your pouch. TSA agents are not to personally touch or search your body, and you can ask for discreet screening if you are pulled aside.

In The Air

Don’t be alarmed: Your bag will not pop. If it inflates at all, it will be due to the gas in your system and not the cabin pressure.

Choose your snacks and drinks wisely while you’re on the plane. There’s not much choice and the bathrooms are limited. Try packing your own snacks, ones that you know your body reacts well to, if the options offered by the airline won’t work for you.

Stay hydrated on the flight. Try to sit in the aisle seat if you’re concerned about emergency changes or unexpected output.

If you run into any issues while you’re in the air, talk to your flight attendant.

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, take it in: You did it! Traveling with an ostomy can bring unique challenges and anxieties, and it does require planning ahead, but it’s worth it. Ostomates travel around the world, every day. Don’t let the bag stand in your way.

For more tips or to connect with fellow ostomates, join our Ostomy group in Community of Champions.