Travelling with an Ileal Conduit

[marysue]

I was at a cancer resource fair this past Saturday and had BCC stuff on display.  I was approached by a gentleman who is still recovering from an RC with an Ileal Conduit and urostomy pouch diversion.  He had questions with regards to how to travel safely with the pouch.  I would appreciate hearing from anyone with tips and advice and maybe would be willing to speak to him directly.  I did inform him of our site and hope that he will do his own asking but this information would be good for me to have on hand as well for people that call me for support.  Thanks everyone.

[GerryW]

 

I have two Hollister carry pouches (free) containing my essential supplies…. one in the car… the other at work. Contents include pouch, min one wafer, scissors, wipes, disposal bag, hand sanitizer and barrier spray.

On longer trips, I would just take twice the amount of supplies that I would normally use.

I haven’t had to travel out of the country yet, but I would have to look at travel insurance coverage, and availability of supplies at the destination. I would also pack duplicates of supplies in two separate pieces of baggage (one being carry on).

Pouch capacity can be supplemented by a leg bag.. oh.. I’d also be sure to include my Convatec overnight collection system.

 

 

Kingston and the 1000 Islands

[GerryW]

Air travel guide..
https://www.ostomy.org/ostomy-travel

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Jack Moon.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Jack Moon.

Kingston and the 1000 Islands

[Gill]

Hit, I have had an Ileal Conduit since April 24 2017.

My first big outing was 3 months after surgery with a 12 hour drive to Boston, which I’ve done several times now. I use Coloplast products and have never had a leakage problem. I find travelling in the car is simpler than air travel because even on the highway there is always rest areas to pull over to the side of the road if the pouch is filling up. Summer is much easier, if you’re wearing shorts. I carry a tubing from my night bag and a green plastic 7Up bottle and just attach the tubing to the pouch spout and let it empty in the bottle until there is somewhere convenient to empty it. If you are the passenger it is easy to do even as you’re driving, the surrounding drivers can’t see what you’re doing .

I have taken 6 flights and 3 cruises since April and have never had a problem at the airport. Always try and keep the pouch as empty as possible – never let a bathroom go by. I have only once been ‘patted down’ at security and the young woman was very discreet when I explained I had a pouch and I didn’t want her pressing on it. Even the full body scanner at some airports does not pick up the conduit . I carry ALL my necessary supplies with me in my carry on baggage and take twice what I calculate I will need for the entire vacation. I precut all my pouches to size as you will not get through security with scissors in your carry on luggage. My adhesive remover and skin barrier I use individual prepackaged wipes as they pack easily and are easy to carry. On the plane I always get an aisle seat so I don’t have to disturb anybody when I have to go empty and avoid caffeine and alcohol for the trip as that makes the bag fill much faster. My only issue on a plane was last month when we had a lot of turbulence and the seatbelt sign was on all the time, but when I explained to the stewardess that I had a bag and not a bladder so I couldn’t just ‘hold on’ – she was very understanding.

I’m sorry this was so long winded, and I’ve probably missed a ton of important stuff but I would be more than happy to answer any specific questions. This is my first day on the forum so I hope I’m doing things right and not pressing any buttons I shouldn’t be!!

Thanks, Gill

[georgett@mymts.net]

I have had my ileal conduit since Jan 9, 2017.

I have read the responses to the original query and feel they have very adequately addressed most of the concerns that may arise. I have travelled by air several times since my surgery and have more often than not had to do a further scan even though I have shared my circumstances at security.

I, too, take double the supplies I anticipate requiring to be fully prepared.

I utilize washrooms more often as one is not sure when the next opportunity will present itself and we are not in a position of being able to hold on.  Avoiding fluids such as coffee and alcohol are helpful in that regard as well as the urostomy bag tends to fill much more quickly with these drinks.

All in all though, travelling comfortably is still very possible with a little more preparation and self-awareness to address needs ahead of time.

[Author]

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