✈︎ Travelling with an Ileostomy ✈︎

In the years since my ileostomy was created it has been very busy! It has travelled around Australia, visited 17 countries, had a temporary jejunostomy buddy, and kept two babies’ company. Today, it gets poked and prodded by a 2-year-old, questioned by a 4-year-old, squeezed into tight clothing and fights against my inability to chew delicious-but-hard-to-digest foods. To say that my stoma has been through a lot would be an understatement, but without my stoma, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the above.

In 2025 we packed up our Sydney-based family and set up in Nice, France for a year of work and travel. Anyone who has ever moved home or relocated knows what an ordeal packing can be, and packing a home into boxes and a family into five suitcases was exhausting – my stoma supplies, however, were the easiest part.

Packing large amounts of supplies:

I was very easily able to organise a six-month order of my chosen supplies through NSW Stoma following a quick visit to Anne Marie, our stoma nurse. It’s important to calculate your usage on what you typically use. Personally, I don’t need to order supplies every month because I don’t change my bag every day, so this would mean a typical six-month order could easily last me 12 months. 

When it comes to quantity, I’m an over-packer! This trip was the first time I’ve been close to running out of supplies – luckily, I had plans in place! Options include reciprocal healthcare countries (GPs/ hospitals) or direct-to-supplier requests. I was lucky to have family visit who were able to bring more supplies. A long or international trip is a great reason to check in with your stoma nurse even if, like me, you don’t regularly see one. Asking questions about emergency situations or sudden body/ bag changes can help ease worries and prepare you in the case that things start to turn a little sideways.

Unfortunately, supplies do take weight and space in bags, but by splitting them between carry-on and checked luggage I was covered for misadventure and it helped to balance the weight (note: you can also apply for weight exemptions from some airlines who provide leniency when carrying medical supplies). Remember to remove as much packaging as possible! I packed my bags in packing squares so that they were compact and organised; it also meant that at each hotel I could quickly move my supplies where needed. 

Travel days:

I plan my stoma travel days much like I parent on any other days – frequent toilet breaks, lots of supplies, safe snacks, hydration, and comfy clothes!

Someone once asked me if my stoma bag expanded on the airplane like a bag of potato chips! Thankfully the answer is no, but I always keep an eye on how things are going, perhaps emptying more often than necessary on long haul flights to ensure no gas build up that might cause leaks – especially if I’m trying new foods or eating to a different routine than my usual.

Long haul flights also mean comfy clothing, whatever that may mean to you! For me, it’s a long or more oversized top or jumper that might hide my expanding bag in a long customs or toilet line. 

Most planes, especially larger ones, have baby change tables in at least one cubicle – ask your flight attendant where it is in case you need to change your bag. In such a tight space and potentially anxious situation, it’s comforting being able to lay out your supplies without fear of turbulence bumping them into the open toilet below.

Exploring new places:

The best part about having young kids is that I never have to carry my supplies because there is always a backpack or pram to throw them into! As they grow up, I’ve had to adapt and reorganise how to carry supplies with me. When on holidays or if I’m going out without a bag, I try to change my bag just before I leave the house. For an emergency bag change and on my person day-to-day, I carry one to two precut bags and will typically use toilet paper and water to clean my skin. Carrying  minimal supplies means I can slip spare bags into the pockets of my jackets or clothes or into a small backpack or bag. Finding my realistic bare minimum has allowed me the flexibility to run around practically hands free. Before you leave, have a few trial runs or on-the-go bag changes to see what works and doesn’t work for you in a “pretend” emergency.

Renee Constantin

2026

go!