I love aerobics but I worry that all of that motion might cause pouch leakage.
What can I do to minimize this?
Similar to participating in other sporting activities, you can wear certain clothing that can help ease your concerns. Use a support garment or a girdle to keep the pouch securely in place. Try different sporting outfits, such as running tights or Lycra^® shorts to see what works best for you.

Should I drink anything special to stay hydrated while exercising now that I have an ostomy?
To help hydrate your body, water is the best fluid as it is the most readily available. You can also get special rehydrating solutions from most pharmacies.

Is there a special diet I should follow once I get active again?
Once you recover from surgery, your diet and state of nutrition should be getting back to normal. How and what you eat is as much a part of our individuality and lifestyle as our appearance and personality. Having a stoma should not restrict your individual preferences. It is important, however, to remember that chewing food thoroughly helps to avoid some possible digestive problems.

I love swimming but I’m nervous that my pouch will become loose in the water. Is there anything I can do to make sure this doesn’t happen?
This is a valid concern for a person with an ostomy. To determine how your pouch might perform while swimming, it is recommended to “test” your pouch. Sit in bath water for a while and assure yourself that the seal stays snug and leak-free.

My friends and I play rugby and I’d like to get back on the team, but I don’t want to damage my pouch or stoma. What can I do to protect it?
Having a stoma will mean planning ahead, but you can continue to participate in contact sports. You should take precautions to protect your stoma. For added security, some people use support garments or girdles to keep the pouch securely in place.

I ran my first marathon after ostomy surgery and little red marks appeared on my stoma. What are these and should I be concerned?
With a lot of running, little red marks similar to mouth ulcers might appear on the stoma because of rubbing or chafing. They should heal quickly and disappear with rest. If they don’t resolve, contact your healthcare professional.