Extra security precautions are being taken at airports and other transit hubs worldwide. A little pre-planning and understanding of both security rules and your right to privacy can help you avoid problems in transit and enjoy your travels.

In particular, remember that all airport screenings must be conducted with courtesy, dignity and respect. You may request screening in a private area at all U.S. airports and most international destinations. A few additional tips to keep you on the go:

Carry a statement from your healthcare professional stating your need for ostomy supplies. You can also download and print our discreet TSA card to show to security officers with questions.

TSA rules state that you can be screened without having to empty or expose your ostomy; however, you may need to conduct a self pat-down of the ostomy, followed by a test of your hands for any trace of explosives¹.

If you are traveling to a foreign country, bring this information written in the appropriate language. Google Translate may be helpful with translations. If you find you need additional supplies while traveling, a local pharmacy is a great starting point. The local pharmacist should be able to provide you with the necessary supplies and/or refer you to a local clinic/hospital for support.

Pre-cut all cut-to-fit barriers at home. Although current United States Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) rules² allow curved point scissors with blades less than 4" in length in your carry-on luggage, keeping your ostomy scissors in your checked luggage may avoid delay and extra screening

Consider purchasing travel insurance that guarantees getting you to a hospital, if necessary.

When it comes to supplies, OVERPACK! Better safe than sorry. Pack at least three days’ worth of ostomy supplies in your carry-on luggage, just in case your checked luggage is misplaced or there are delays and/or non-availability at your destination. Here are some packing tips.

Drink, drink, drink. Nothing slows down a vacation more than dehydration. Read more about tips on hydration.

If traveling by car, take advantage of rest areas. Stop and empty your pouch regularly; you never know how far it will be until the next one!

Pack ostomy-friendly snacks.

Keep a set of clean clothes handy whether in your carry-on luggage or in the trunk of your car.

Carry a few plastic bags and wet wipes for quick clean-up.

If you need supplies immediately call Gilgal Medical at 407 484 0032

Helpful Links: 

Gilgal Medical Supplies is the leading supplier of ostomy products around the globe. We carry all the major manufactures, products. Gilgal Medical is the leading supplies for Convatec, Hollister and Coroplast in North America.

Armed with over 45 warehouses in North America Gilgal can get you ostomy supplies in short notice from 2 hrs. to 24hrs. Our robotic warehouse can process your order in 2 minutes and the supplies will be on your way. Gilgal Medical is the only emergency ostomy supplier in North America.

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Conditions that may require colostomy or ileostomy

• bowel infections
• bowel inflammation
• diverticulitis
• Crohn's disease
• ulcerative colitis
• blocked bowel
• bowel cancer
• familial adenomatous polyposis (a precancerous condition)
• serious injury to the bowel.

Issues to consider with colostomy or ileostomy

• medical history
• any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, minerals, vitamins and herbal supplements
• possible risks and complications of the operation
• any concerns you have regarding body image, cleanliness and sexuality.

Colostomy and ileostomy procedure

• Except in cases of emergency surgery, the bowel is prepared by undergoing a liquid diet and taking special cleansing and antibiotic medications.
• The person is given a general anaesthetic.
• The surgeon marks the point on the abdomen for the intended stoma. A common location is the lower right hand side of the abdomen.
• The abdomen is opened up.
• The diseased portion of bowel is removed. The healthy portion is then pulled out through a small incision in the abdomen (stoma).
• The healthy bowel portion is sewn to the stoma.
• A plastic bag is attached over the stoma to collect waste.
• The large abdominal incision is closed with stitches.

Immediately after the operation

• You have an intravenous infusion into your arm for a few days.
• You will probably have a small tube going down into your stomach. This tube is used to suck out your stomach contents so that your intestines can rest and recover after surgery.
• For the first few days, the dressing on your wound is changed frequently to help keep the wound clean and avoid contamination.
• Once the tube into your stomach is removed, you are started on a light diet.
• The nurses will encourage you to get out of bed and move around.
• You will soon start to pass faeces through your stoma. You will have had a lightweight bag placed over the stoma to collect the faeces. Initially, your bag is changed by nurses or a stomatherapist. They will show you how to do this yourself.
• Your sutures may be removed in five to six days.
• After a few days, you will be able to get into a bath with a bag over the stoma if the wound hasn't yet healed. If the wound has healed, you may get into a bath without covering the stoma.
• You may spend around one week in hospital.

Complications with colostomy and ileostomy

• excessive bleeding (haemorrhage)
• infection
• allergic reaction to surgical medication, such as anaesthesia
• a portion of bowel protruding through the stoma (incisional hernia)
• diarrhoea
• dehydration
• narrowing of the stoma
• difficulties in passing faeces through the stoma and into the bag
• blockage of the stoma caused by scar tissue
• impacted faeces
• skin complaints caused by contact with faeces around the stoma
• kidney stones
• gallstones.

Taking care of yourself at home

• A stomatherapist will advise you about all the different types of colostomy bags, skin sealants, skin barriers and powders you need to use.
• It is important to keep the skin surrounding the stoma scrupulously clean.
• You may need to occasionally irrigate the stoma with water to help prevent constipation. Your stomatherapist will advise you.
• Ways to reduce gas formation and excessive odours include eating small, frequent meals, limiting foods such as cabbage, onions, beans and fizzy drinks, and avoidance of activities that encourage air to be swallowed, such as gum chewing, drinking through a straw and smoking.
• Charcoal tablets or anti-flatulent preparations may help to reduce odour.
• Limit intake of foods that have strong odours, such as onions, fish, eggs, cheese and asparagus.
• Eat a low-residue diet for the first couple of months to reduce the strain on your bowels and stoma.
• It might be a good idea to avoid certain foods, such as popcorn or celery seeds.
• Once you have fully recovered (usually around three months after surgery), there are no restrictions on your diet.

Long-term outlook after colostomy and ileostomy

Other forms of surgery for a diseased bowel

People always ask the basic questions. What are the kinds of ostomies? It may look overwhelming, but it is not that complicated.  There are mainly three types of ostomies, or stomas, that are the most common. Learn what makes them different from each other.

Understand the three types of ostomies.

To put it simply, there are different types of ostomies. The three most common ones are colostomy, ileostomy, and urostomy. Each ostomy procedure is done for different reasons due to different sickness. Although there are many similarities with these three ostomies, there are also important differences.

Colostomy

A colostomy is a surgically created opening into the colon (large intestine) through the abdomen. Its purpose is to allow the stool to bypass a diseased or damaged part of the colon. The output from a colostomy includes liquid or formed stool (or somewhere in between), gas, and odor.

Here are a few additional facts:

• A colostomy can be made at almost any point along the colon
• Where the colostomy is created will be dependent on the medical reason and is often defined by the portion of the colon involved
• There are four different kinds of colostomies, and a colostomy may be temporary or permanent

Ileostomy

An ileostomy is a surgically created opening into the small intestine through the abdomen. With an ileostomy, a section of the small intestine and large intestine (colon) have been removed or bypassed. The output from an ileostomy after surgery is generally a steady liquid type of drainage. Over time though, the stool will become thicker and more paste-like.

Here are some additional facts:

• An ileostomy is usually located on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen
• The digestive enzymes make the output from your stoma very corrosive, so protecting the skin around your stoma, or peristomal skin, is extremely important
• An ileostomy may be temporary or permanent

Urostomy

A urostomy is a surgically created opening to drain urine. A urostomy allows urine to flow out of the body after the bladder has been removed or bypassed. The output from a urostomy is urine and possibly some mucus.

Here are a few additional facts:

• A urostomy is usually located on the lower right-hand side of the abdomen
• An ileal conduit is the most common type of urostomy. It is created by removing a short segment of the small intestine (ileum) and using it as a pipeline for urine to flow out of the body.
• Another type of urinary diversion that’s less common is a colonic conduit. The principle is the same as the construction of an ileal conduit, only the large intestine is used for the pipeline.
• A urostomy is generally a permanent ostomy

What you should know about your ostomy type

As you work with your healthcare team, you’ll learn more about living with your type of stoma, including how to establish a skin care routine, eat healthy, exercise, travel, and other important lifestyle tips.