5 Common Ostomy Myths: What Canadians Should Know

Myth 1: You cannot exercise with an ostomy

If walking, gardening, or another activity has been part of your routine for years, you may worry about losing it after surgery. Many people return to physical activity with an ostomy, although recovery needs to come first.

A short walk may be enough initially. As your strength returns, your healthcare team can help you decide when to go farther or try other activities.

Lifting deserves particular attention because it puts strain on the abdomen. This includes everyday tasks such as carrying groceries, moving a planter, or picking up a grandchild.

When you speak with your doctor or ostomy nurse, tell them what you would like to do again. They can give more useful advice about a specific task than about exercise in general.

Arthritis, reduced mobility, or other health conditions may also affect your recovery. If progress feels slower than you expected, bring that up at your appointment. Another person’s experience is not a timetable you need to follow.

For help with the early weeks, read Returning Home After Ostomy Surgery: 6 Step by Step Tips to Regain Confidence.

Myth 2: Swimming is no longer possible

For someone who enjoys the pool or spends summers by a lake, this can be a disappointing thought. The reassuring news is that many people swim while wearing an ostomy pouch.

Pouching systems are designed to tolerate water during showering, bathing, and swimming. After recent surgery, you should first allow time for healing and ask your healthcare provider when it is safe to return to the water.

Even with that clearance, you may feel hesitant. Questions about the adhesive, your swimsuit or the need for extra support are common. Your ostomy nurse can discuss your pouching system and help you prepare.

Some people swim with their usual products; others prefer an accessory for additional support.

There is no need to begin with a long outing. A brief swim at a familiar pool may give you the time and privacy you want to get comfortable.

Myth 3: Everyone will notice your pouch

In the beginning, you may be very aware of the pouch beneath your clothes. That awareness can make it seem more visible than it is.

A pouch can often be worn discreetly under ordinary clothing. You may find that much of your wardrobe still suits you, with a few adjustments for comfort.

The position of your stoma matters. One waistband might press against it, while another sits comfortably above or below. During recovery, a little more room around the abdomen may also feel better.

Before replacing clothes, try what you already own. Sit down, bend and walk around in them. You are looking for clothes that feel comfortable throughout the day.

Finding a few familiar outfits that work well can make getting dressed feel easier while you are still adjusting.

Myth 4: Travel is too complicated

A first trip after surgery can feel like a lot to organise. You may be looking forward to seeing family or getting away, while also wondering how you will manage your supplies.

Start with the essentials. Pack more ostomy products than you expect to use, allowing for an extra pouch change or a delayed return home.

If you are flying, keep essential supplies in your carry-on luggage. Having them nearby means you can still manage your care if your checked suitcase is delayed.

For a longer stay outside Canada, check whether your usual products are available at your destination. A manufacturer may sell a different range in another country.

Airport screening may also be unfamiliar the first time you fly after surgery. Ostomy Canada provides travel information for Canadians living with an ostomy, including guidance about screening.

Your first journey does not have to be a major holiday. A short visit can help you discover what you like to keep nearby and how many spare supplies you prefer to carry. That experience can make the next trip easier to plan.

Myth 5: Life will never feel normal again

This concern can be particularly difficult in the early weeks. You may still be tired from surgery, and pouch care requires attention. An unexpected leak can leave you reluctant to go out.

There are real changes to get used to. A pouch needs emptying and replacing, the skin around your stoma needs care, and supplies need to be kept at home.

But how things feel just after surgery is not necessarily how they will feel several months later. With practice, some tasks may become more familiar and take less thought. Meals with friends, overnight visits and hobbies can gradually return to your routine.

You may feel comfortable with one activity and uncertain about another. That is something you can discuss with your healthcare team; you do not need to wait until a concern becomes overwhelming before asking for help.

Your health, mobility, reason for surgery and type of ostomy all shape the adjustment. A temporary stoma also brings different questions from a permanent one.

Our guide, Temporary vs. Permanent Stoma: A Simple Guide for Canadians Living with an Ostomy, explains these differences.

If your pouch keeps leaking, help is available

Repeated leaks can be frustrating, especially when you are taking care to follow the instructions you were given. They do not necessarily mean you are doing something wrong.

As your body heals, swelling decreases and your stoma can change in size or shape. The pouching system that fitted well in hospital may need adjusting.

If you notice recurring leaks, irritated skin or a seal that regularly fails, contact an ostomy nurse or another healthcare professional. They can assess the fit, review how the system is being applied, and discuss whether a change would help.

Coloplast, ConvaTec and Hollister offer different pouches, skin barriers, and accessories because people have unique needs. Your body shape, skin, stoma position, and output all influence the choice.

Once you know which supplies work for you, you can shop ostomy products online at Payless Medical.