{"id":4454,"date":"2025-08-06T10:39:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/navigating-airport-security-as-an-ostomate-by-kevin\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T10:39:56","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T10:39:56","slug":"navigating-airport-security-as-an-ostomate-by-kevin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/navigating-airport-security-as-an-ostomate-by-kevin\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating airport security as an ostomate | by Kevin"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1334\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-947\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2025\/03\/Meet-our-ambassadors-page-scaled-2-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-70 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#6e6760\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8b8181cb9ce9e040a72d476523e54460 text-center lg:text-center\">Navigating airport security as an ostomate | by Kevin<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"spacer\n    h-4    lg:h-12\"\n>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">As someone who travels for work, I thought I would share some of my experiences to support others when it comes to navigating airport security. Whether you are a seasoned flyer like me, or this is your first flight post-surgery these practical tips will hopefully keep you feeling more confident and well prepared.<br><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-400-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-6bf9f1ca8ea8175c4d7de3f59d24efd1\">What to expect at the airport<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">For me I like to know that the airport experience is going to be a quick one. I always purchase a fast-track security pass this ensures that im not waiting or standing in long queues this can also be achieved by going to the accessibility desk at the airport and discussing with them your requirements. I find it a lot easier to purchase the fast past and make my way to the security area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">I always make sure that I have been to the toilet before this process as I just feel more comfortable that when a security person is checking my bag, it\u2019s not full and doesn\u2019t make me feel awkward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">One thing to remember is the security staff are trained to handle medical devices and support individuals with additional needs. The more I\u2019ve got comfortable the more I\u2019ve spoken to staff about my stoma bag and they are aware of more and more people with these devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">They have a job to do purely based on safety, it may feel sometimes, as I did, quite personal and an invasion of privacy, but it is their job. I have had differing experiences some airports &#8211; I\u2019ve been taken to a room to have this checked and completed a form, while others I\u2019ve just had a swab taken around the waistband I wear. All of this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">In some countries, it\u2019s a lot easier if you carry a travel certificate with you. This explains the medical condition and also the stoma products that you may be carrying with you such as scissors for cutting your bag, or sprays for removing your bag. It can be shown to staff in their language to help avoid lengthy explanations. You can request a travel certificate from your stoma nurse or your healthcare provider. I requested mine from my stoma nurse who completed this for me and had this stamped by the hospital to confirm its authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-purple-400-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-cdd9008d7acd6f686dc778392017c485\"><strong>5 top tips to remember<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-purple-checkmark\">\n<li class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">Arrive early<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">Think about your clothing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">If needed, make staff aware<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">Use fast-track or accessible travel arrangements while at the airport<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">Finally, enjoy your holiday or journey<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-xl lg:text-xl\">Remember, you are not the first ostomate to fly &#8211; thousands of people with stomas fly or travel each year. You are definitely not alone in this experience and although at first you may feel nervous or worried it&#8217;s definitely something not to be embarrassed about. My main points to remember are to stay calm, plan ahead and remember where you are going to. This is a minor experience to the one you have overcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-purple-600-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-858b489bf6d79ed8669c4a257e72b414 text-xl lg:text-xl\"><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thestomaguy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kevin<br>@thestomaguy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div>\n    <div class=\"stories-carousel\">\n        <div class=\"glide__track\" data-glide-el=\"track\">\n            <ul class=\"glide__slides\">\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/my-emergency-stoma-surgery-by-emma\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698.jpg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-235x300.jpg 235w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-803x1024.jpg 803w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-118x150.jpg 118w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-768x979.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-1205x1536.jpg 1205w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698-600x765.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/20240423_180903-scaled-e1776864227698.jpg 1289w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">My emergency stoma surgery | by Emma<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">2 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/the-questions-i-was-too-embarrassed-to-ask-about-my-stoma-by-rachel\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681-300x289.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681-1024x985.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681-150x144.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681-768x739.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681-600x577.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_9540-e1776175755681.jpeg 1143w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">The questions I was too embarrassed to ask about my stoma | by Rachel<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">5 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/living-fully-with-a-stoma-by-ayesha\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset-236x300.jpeg 236w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset-807x1024.jpeg 807w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset-118x150.jpeg 118w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset-768x974.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset-600x761.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/sunset.jpeg 1009w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">Living fully with a stoma | by Ayesha<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">4 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/how-i-manage-my-stoma-at-work-by-ayesha\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365-279x300.jpeg 279w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365-954x1024.jpeg 954w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365-140x150.jpeg 140w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365-768x824.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365-600x644.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/work-1-e1762519631365.jpeg 1320w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">How I manage my stoma at work | by Ayesha<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">2 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/how-i-built-confidence-leaving-the-house-after-stoma-surgery-by-rachel\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1.jpeg\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-1536x2048.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1-600x800.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/IMG_0496-scaled-1.jpeg 1920w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">How I built confidence leaving the house after stoma surgery | by Rachel<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">5 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"glide__slide story-slide\">\n                        <a class=\"group\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/building-confidence-as-a-man-living-with-a-stoma-by-kevin\/\">\n                            <picture class=\"block z-0\">\n                                <img decoding=\"async\"\n                                    loading=\"lazy\"\n                                    class=\"aspect-square object-cover\"\n                                    src=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/image-e1775133570707.png\"\n                                    srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/image-e1775133570707-236x300.png 236w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/image-e1775133570707-118x150.png 118w, https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/19\/2026\/04\/image-e1775133570707.png 376w\"\n                                    alt=\"\"\n                                \/>\n                            <\/picture>\n                            <span class=\"block font-bold text-lg\">Building confidence as a man living with a stoma | by Kevin<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"reading-time block\">4 minutes<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"group-hover:underline read-more block relative z-20\">Read more<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"glide-navigation-wrapper\">\n            <a href=\"\/us\/blog\/\" class=\"btn btn-gradient w-full text-center lg:w-fit\">Explore all stories and advice<\/a>\n            <div class=\"glide-navigation\">\n                <div class=\"bullets\" data-glide-el=\"controls[nav]\">\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 0\" data-glide-dir=\"=0\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 1\" data-glide-dir=\"=1\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 2\" data-glide-dir=\"=2\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 3\" data-glide-dir=\"=3\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 4\" data-glide-dir=\"=4\"><\/button>\n                                            <button class=\"bullet\" aria-label=\"Go to slide 5\" 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security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4455,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-4454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","tag-kevin"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4454"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4454\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4455"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4454"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4454"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4454"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}