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Can I Swim With My Urostomy?

Sometimes a person's bladder must be removed. The most common reasons are bladder cancer, bladder dysfunction, inflammation of the bladder and birth defects. Doctors can perform a surgery to create a urostomy, an opening in the abdomen. Urine flows out of this opening and is collected in a plastic pouch attached to the person.

  1. The Pouch

    • There are several kinds of pouches, also called bags, but each is made of a pouch and a skin barrier. The skin barrier protects the surrounding skin from constant contact with the bag. The pouch has a drain valve in the bottom for emptying urine.

    Post-Surgery Worries

    • People who have had urostomies often worry about limits to their post-surgery lives. They wonder if exercise will dislodge or loosen their ostomy bags and lead to an accident.

    Wear the Pouch

    • People with urostomies can still swim. They should always wear a pouch while swimming to keep urine from spilling into the pool. It's best to empty the pouch before getting in the water.

    Belts and Tape

    • Special belts are available to hold the pouch in place. People with active lifestyles can find these online or in medical supply stores. Strips of waterproof tape are a good alternative to belts.

    Pattern vs. Solid

    • Like camouflage, a patterned bathing suit better disguises the pouch. Since it is easier to see the bulge under a solid color, people with urostomies favor patterns.

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