No I have never been hassled either. Three trips since my surgery nearly 2 yrs ago. Two to Hawaii & one to Spain.

 The first time I traveled I took enough supplies so that I could change everything every day! Overkill, I may have been suspected of smuggling ( yeah, right! Ostomy supplies).

Its a good thing that our surgeries do not leave us with anything made of metal either inside our bodies or in the appliances! So, bon voyage.

Dona, do you usually tell them that you have a medical appliance before they do the body scan or do you wait for them to ask? 

I've done it both ways, but feel that letting them know beforehand gets the best results (they are less suspicious about the liquid filled pack strapped to my body!). 

No, I never mention it to security. The appliance must be invisible ( or not look like a bomb) on the scans. No one has opened a  carry on either. I also can use pre cut wafers, so I do not need to travel with scissors.

I do have a real fear ( especially at first) of having to do a change in the airplane head. Not much space in there. You also may have noticed that if you empty your bag, the output does not flush in the airplane toilet. I ended up using my hands to ferry water to it...after the first time I started to take a water cup with me.

I did notice that with the change in air pressure my bag would expand more. I think they keep the cabin pressure to around 6 to 8  thousand feet...but its NOT sea level. EZ- Vent to the rescue.

Posted by: Dona

 

I also can use pre cut wafers, so I do not need to travel with scissors.

I do have a real fear ( especially at first) of having to do a change in the airplane head. Not much space in there. You also may have noticed that if you empty your bag, the output does not flush in the airplane toilet. I ended up using my hands to ferry water to it...after the first time I started to take a water cup with me.

I did notice that with the change in air pressure my bag would expand more. I think they keep the cabin pressure to around 6 to 8  thousand feet...but its NOT sea level. EZ- Vent to the rescue.   

This has never been a big problem for me, although when I travel I change my routine enough that I expect changes in my bowel movements and gas production.

The first time I flew I brought water with me (to flush my bag) in my ostomy appliance kit.  I was asked repeatedly if I was bringing liquids aboard the plane and I kept on saying no.  When security opened my luggage I was reminded that I had brought this water with me! Embarrassing, but I got over it quickly.

Posted by: Laura

 

The first time I flew I brought water with me (to flush my bag) in my ostomy appliance kit.  I was asked repeatedly if I was bringing liquids aboard the plane and I kept on saying no.  When security opened my luggage I was reminded that I had brought this water with me! Embarrassing, but I got over it quickly.

   

I forgot an entire bottle of Gatorade in my backpack the other day! It is embarrassing, especially when you insist you don't have liquids and they can see on the scanner that you do!

I've been thinking of maybe getting a collapsable bottle to use when traveling - although, even when they're folded up they still take up a lot of room if you aren't using it often.

MRI - The other day I had an MRI and although questioned repeatedly about metal in or on my body I kept on saying I had no metal.  UNTIL I was being pushed through the machine and then I remembered the little metal clip I use on the bottom of my bag for extra insurance.  DUH! I don't want to think about that clip being torn from my body under the MRI - and the consequences!!!

Laura, I hope they were understanding!

I have a collapsable cup that I carry - it folds into a disk shape that is about 3" wide and about 1/4" high. Maybe 6 oz capacity? I got it at REI, but I've seen them at many different sporting goods stores in their camping aisle.

I actually have two replaced knees and before my second knee surgery in pre op they asked "do you have metal in your body?" They were clearly looking at my ostomy so I said "No". And the surgery goes "yes you do your other knee in titanium " lol. I guess next time I fly ill be getting a pat down because my knees will make there alarms sign lol.

Posted by: bluesgal

 

I have a collapsable cup that I carry - it folds into a disk shape that is about 3" wide and about 1/4" high. Maybe 6 oz capacity? I got it at REI, but I've seen them at many different sporting goods stores in their camping aisle.

I was thinking of getting one during my last trip but backed out because I didn't have time to look into it. Gad it works for you! 

Posted by: aqhagirl344

 

 I guess next time I fly ill be getting a pat down because my knees will make there alarms sign lol.

Does this set off all alarms like even at department stores?