Life after my surgery. I can report that I had no problems with my ile stoma or appliances when I had my first dive in Lanzarote yesterday.
I did have a problem with the first Dive Adventure business though who said because I had ileostomy I would not be able to dive. Full stop. Sorry. Like there was something wrong with me.!!!
The second place Native Diving Lanzarote Costa Terques, sent me to a local GP to get a certificate to say I was okay to dive which I did.
Not in a million years would I have thought after my surgery that I could dive, cycle, run or swim. I treat my stoma and appliance as my friend. What an advantage when you can manage your out put. LOL. Look after it it looks after you.
Don't limit yourself. Don't give up at the first hurdle either.
Thanks for reading, hope this is helpful.
Kind regards Bernard
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bern65
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Brilliant! Good to hear that it is not limiting your activities. I resumed swimming about 9-10 months after surgery when I was totally healed. Usually go twice a week doing about 1,000 metres each session.
Good day. Yes I had 3 dives earlier this year with Native Driving Lanzarote.
You need not be concerned about your bag. If you have been swimming, and you haven't had a problem with your appliance then you're good.
I use a full piece swimsuit. This helps as I don't have anything that cuts across the bag or drops down on it.
If you keep your food in take moderate to light then evening before and have a light breakfast for output will be reduced. As an iliostomate gas should not be a big issue. Clearing your bag before you get your wet suite on is probably obvious advice.
I put on a fresh appliances a day before so sure it was stuck down properly.
Any air in the bag will contract and expand, but not an issue as you start at 0 metres and hopefully you return back there.
The main thing you need to do is to get a certificate from your GP stating that you are fit to dive with your condition.
Calling the Dive company before hand to confirm that a certificate from your GP will be sufficient for their insurance. They have a form everyone diving to fill in. Iliostomy / colostomy were on both as an condition which excludes you from diving with the dive companies.
Luckily I spoke to someone at the second Dive company who knew what they were talking about after been told a flat no from the people I approached first. I went to a local doctor and got a certificate.
Hope this helps. Happy diving.
Kind regards Bernard
Bernard I just seen your review.
I am new to scuba diving I have an ileostomy.
I am going to salou next week I spoke with 2 diving group's.
The first I had the same problem with.
2nd are gladly taking me just told me to check with a doctor I spoke with stoma specialist over the years told me it was ok dont need a medical form I think.
I made contact with a local diving school told me a padi medical form was needed. I got let down by a practitioner. I done some research online and found a local doctor who's on the diving medical committee. I emailed him he told me he has a stoma and colitis send a padi medical form to me I'll do it for you no problem. Sent It i am now medical cleared to dive for next year.
I am going on Friday on a try dive in salou I am bringing a photo copy just incase.
If goes well I'll do a try dive and open water course with local group in next few months. Just seen your reply on food intake etc I'll keep that in mind
Bernard I had a bad diving experience on holiday thought was going to have to go A+E. I done my try dive back home padi academy so lovely and friendly really enjoyed it. I booked my open water course a few weeks later. I had to cancel due to illness few other things came up also pretty much near finished have had no issues. We are now talking advance for after it. I have been in touch with a club different dive board about joining them also. I don't know what I have missed
Bad safety brief everything was so rushed. Passing alot of blood no equalization was tought didn't feel great thought was getting bends. Appliance and that medical side has been grand. Baseplate gets damp and slightly lifts after a few dives. But has yet to come off. I dive in uk waters I use a semi dry some water does get in not sure if that's cause of it or not
Hi- I’m about to do a life guard course in a month and my bag is currently getting water under the adhesive after a few surface dives which isn’t ideal. What type of bag do you use? Have u had any issues with your bag sticking when swimming and do you have any tips if so?
Hi Bob, sorry for not replying. I have a Hollister 2 piece. It has a built in outer flange which sticks well. I do change my appliance 2 x per week, I swim with a 1 piece bathing suit more often seen on the beach on the gold coast. I do wear a regular boxer style bathing suit over the top for modesty sake. LOL, It stops any pressure on the appliance when swimming or diving in. All the best.
Bob I use a Hollister 2 piece myself all the time. When I'm diving I wear a active support which is water resistant over my bag I also wear a pair of medical swim shorts which a slightly more higher waist than normal so bag doesn't show I can make a few 10 metre dives but baseplate does lift slightly because I wear a semi does let some water in not sure if that's cause or not
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