I recently got back into swimming and wanted to share my experience along with some tips for anyone else thinking about giving it a go.

When I had my first ileostomy in 2007, I genuinely thought swimming wasn’t an option for me. I imagined my bag floating away in the chlorinated water! Back then, I also struggled with leaks, and sore skin was a constant battle, so I never really felt secure. Fast forward to today, and I’m now swimming twice a week—go me!

Common concerns about swimming with a stoma

If you’re feeling unsure about swimming with a stoma, I completely get it. Here are some common concerns and my take on them:

Will my ostomy bag stay on?

Yes, it will! If you’ve ever showered or taken a bath with your bag on, you already have an idea of how your baseplate reacts to water. Some will stay perfectly in place without any issue, while others may need a little extra help from flange extenders. In my experience, different brands and products react differently to water. Some baseplates absorb the moisture and get a bit slimy around the edges. You can request sample flange extenders from your supplier or ask your stoma nurse to help you find the best ones for swimming.

Will my bag fill up with water?

There used to be a recommendation to cover the filter with a sticker (those little ones you get in the box of bags) before swimming. But during a Q&A in Fittleworth’s body confidence webinar, stoma care nurse Julie mentioned that modern bag filters don’t actually need to be covered up. However, if it gives you peace of mind, there’s no harm in popping a sticker on.

Will people be able to see my bag?

If you’re concerned about your bag being visible, there are loads of ostomy swimwear options! High-waisted designs, patterns, and frills are all great for disguising an ostomy bag. Plus, there’s specialist swimwear available too. If you’re not keen on those ideas, there’s always bag covers! Or you could just embrace it—your comfort, your choice!

Do I need to change my bag after swimming?

This is completely up to you. If you’re comfortable drying off your bag and leaving it on, go for it! But always take a spares kit with you—better safe than sorry. Honestly, you should carry a spares kit everywhere, just in case. Even if leaks are rare for you, a random manufacturing fault can happen when you least expect it.

If you do decide to change your bag after your swim, most leisure centres will have accessible toilets or baby-changing facilities with larger cubicles. You can easily pop your used bag in the nappy bin and carry on with your day!

My experience of swimming with a stoma

When I first went back to swimming, I wasn’t sure if I should change my bag at the leisure centre or wait until I got home. The changing rooms are hot and humid, which doesn’t feel like the best environment for a secure bag change—heat can affect the adhesive on your baseplate. So, I decided to take a good shower after my swim, dry off my bag as much as possible, and wait to change it once I got home. So far, that’s worked well for me! I usually just use a towel to dry it, but if there’s a private hand dryer, that could be a good option too.

I’ve got some ostomy swimwear, but honestly, I’m happy to swim in whatever I feel like. I’m not too worried about people seeing my bag anymore. It is what it is—I am who I am! That said, I do like to cover the actual bag because once it’s wet, it can get a bit see-through. No one needs to see my poo, and frankly, I wouldn’t want to see anyone else’s either! Luckily, bag covers are easy to find.

My bag stays securely in place, no water gets in, and I don’t feel like anyone’s even noticed my stoma. All in all, it’s been a great experience and a fantastic way to get some enjoyable exercise!