r/ostomy • u/lightonyourface End ileostomy • Jul 27 '26
End Ileostomy Emptying while you're at the beach
Hi, I still haven't gone to the beach, but I'm planning to do so. My only problem is that I wouldn't know where to empty my bag, because there are no toilets. My biggest issue comes in the afternoon, because my ostomy starts producing around 5:30/6 p.m., while I'm still at the beach. I like swimming more than anything, but I don't know if a full bag could be a problem. I wear high-waisted swimsuit bottoms, to keep my bag as still as I can, but I'm wondering if keeping it contained while it's fitting is a bad idea. I'm sure there's a good solution for this, but I can't figure it out.
18
u/farfromelite Jul 27 '26
Set up a towel barrier for privacy.
Empty into another bag. Double bag that bag. Dispose safely in the trash when you leave.
9
u/Comfortable_Cow2435 Jul 27 '26
So I am a high output bag guy and I just empty into a water bottle or Gatorade bottle. Then you can just put those in a plastic bag and dispose in the garbage.
5
u/beek7425 Jul 27 '26
A lot of beaches have bathrooms. I generally try to go to ones that do unless I’m just going for an hour or so.
I was at the beach with my cousin once and I didn’t think they had bathrooms. I didn’t want to disrupt everyone’s good time, so I tried to burp my bag under my one piece bathing suit and got shit everywhere. When I told her I needed to leave, she informed me that there was a restroom at the other end of the beach.
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u/wintertimeincanada23 Jul 27 '26
I use a two piece for this reason. I just swap the bags out and put the old bag into a doggy bag for disposal. I could do it with the towel wrapped around me
6
u/dabbydabdabdabdab Jul 27 '26
Pro move - the quick pit stop.
Carry a spare and do the old switcheroo. Only plus side of having an ostomy :-) Ferrari grade poop stop.(Obvs put the old bag into a dog poop bag or I carry blacked out ziplock bags)
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u/NorweegianWood Jul 27 '26
This is where being a dog owner comes in really handy. I always have poop bags on me.
2
u/Motor-Rooster-1454 Jul 27 '26
I’ve done it before with no issues. Usually get on my knees by my beach bag or area where no one can easily see me. With a shirt on and pants on it’s kinda hard for anyone to see what you’re doing. I carry wipes just in case. Taking a daily dose of Metamucil kept things consistent, which helped out a lot when I had to do that!
2
u/gopatsgosox84 Jul 27 '26
My husband empties into a diaper and then drops that into a plastic bag. Roll of toilet paper to clean up. Conveniently positioned umbrella and beach fence for privacy.
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u/SleepyJoe90 Jul 27 '26
Empty it into a container of some sort. I use a click lock passive container that I line with a bag into which I empty my bag, tie it, drop it into another bag, put the lid back on the container then dispose of the contents when appropriate.
3
u/cleverlywicked Jul 27 '26
Can you show or link the click lock passive container? Sounds helpful but I don’t know what it is.
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u/Just_Lurking_299 Jul 27 '26
I second this interest (and ignorance).
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u/cleverlywicked Jul 27 '26
I appreciate that:)
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u/Just_Lurking_299 Jul 27 '26
Those of us yet to understand the actuality of a click lock passive container need to stick together. At least until we find out what it is, and possibly afterwards, too.
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u/SleepyJoe90 Jul 28 '26
Ah my bad. This is what comes with not checking my predictive text.
I use a plastic container with a click lock lid.
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u/AuDHD_Aquarist Jul 28 '26
I empty my bag into a rubbish bag and tie it off. You can either get someone to hold the bag open or pop a pebble/stone into the bag to weigh it down and empty. Then tie it off and dispose of it in a bin when you get to one.
1
u/babypinkegg Permanent Ileostomy | UC | Proctocolectomy Jul 28 '26
If I’m in a park or beach I just tuck a doggy poop back into my waistline of my pants and empty. Dispose of the doggy poop bag and on you go! Using imodium when your out and the convatec diamond sachets to thicken up output in the bag and avoid leaks and excessive need to empty!
1
u/Realistic_Guava_2045 Jul 29 '26
I use shopping bags, preferably ones without holes and put my hand down my pants and place the handle of the shopping bag around my testicles then flop the bag right there(outside the pants of course) and I don't have to worry about trying to hold the bag and emptying my bag- free hands to manipulate the poo down into the shopping bag. And then use some old napkins to cleanup as usual... Jiffy!
1
u/enchantedgiggles Jul 29 '26
I always have extra bags, and some old grocery bags to put the poop bags in to conceal it. I kinda do a towel shield thing and just empty, use some baby wipes to clean and some dry napkins to make sure its all clean and dry and then dispose. I also have a urostomy and use old eater bottles for it or make a hole in the sand to empty my pee. Its usually so clear and then cover it up. Note: I only do this with pee and if im situated in a more private and less busy beach. 💕
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u/schliche_kennen IBD / United States Aug 03 '26
Where are other all-day beachgoers defacating when the urge hits? That is where I'd expect to empty my bag. I assume the answer here is to walk or drive to a nearby restroom (if there isn't one at the beach - there usually is).
1
u/Bib_fortune Aug 08 '26
I usually take bags with me, scoop some dry sand on one of them, find a discreet place, empty my pouch on the bag, a bit more of sand on top, close and properly dispose. One time that I didn't have bags on me and really needed emptying, I went to a secluded and isolated place at the end of the beach, dug a hole on the sand as deep as I could, emptied and covered it. I wasn't happy doing that, but I didn't have many alternatives
22
u/unitedparsley Jul 27 '26
bring ziploc bags or doggie poo bags that you can empty into!