{"id":517,"date":"2025-04-03T16:19:54","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:19:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/?p=517"},"modified":"2025-07-08T15:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T15:38:24","slug":"going-to-a-concert-with-a-stoma-by-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eakinostomy.com\/US\/blog\/going-to-a-concert-with-a-stoma-by-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"Going to a concert with a stoma | by Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Going to a concert with a stoma | by Summer<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Can you go to a concert with a stoma bag? Absolutely. And I\u2019m here to tell you why.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I recently went to a Teddy Swims concert at Wembley in London, and it was incredible. If you\u2019re wondering whether having a stoma will stop you from doing certain things, or if you\u2019ve recently had surgery and are feeling anxious about going to your first big event \u2013 this blog is for you. I want to share my personal experience and a few tips that helped me feel confident, comfortable, and fully present in the moment.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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First\u2026 Let\u2019s talk about Teddy Swims<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Before we get into the stoma stuff, we need to take a moment to appreciate Teddy Swims. If you haven\u2019t heard his music yet \u2013 honestly, what are you doing? His voice, his energy, the whole vibe was just unmatched. So as soon as I saw he was touring, I knew I had to go. And my stoma certainly wasn\u2019t going to stopping me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main worries (let\u2019s break them down)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019ve got a stoma, new experiences can bring a whole wave of \u201cwhat ifs.\u201d So let\u2019s look at some of the common worries together and how I handled them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What if I need to empty my bag during the concert?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what I did:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Emptied my bag before leaving home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Emptied again at the restaurant before heading to the venue<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Used the toilet once during the concert<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Then didn\u2019t need to empty again until I got home<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 I left the house at around 4pm and got home close to midnight. I emptied my bag more often than I usually would in that time period, but I made the conscious decision to empty little and often. It gave me peace of mind and made sure the bag didn\u2019t fill too much while I was in the middle of dancing and singing my heart out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What if my bag leaks?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the biggest worry for most of us. Here\u2019s how I prepped:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Changed my bag before I went out \u2013 I always do this before any big event<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Packed a small kit: two spare bags, two seals, dry wipes, a disposable bag, and some barrier wipes<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 You could also use flange extenders for extra security<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 And don\u2019t worry about carrying all that \u2013 most venues have a small bag policy, usually something A4 size or smaller, and everything fit in mine easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. What if I can\u2019t find an accessible toilet in time?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not knowing where the toilets are or whether they\u2019ll be accessible, especially if the ques are long can be a concern. Here\u2019s what I find helps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Most big venues (like Wembley or the O2) have accessible toilets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Get there early and familiarise yourself with the location and don\u2019t be afraid to ask security or venue staff for help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Carry your Radar key with you, so you can use the accessible toilets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. What if I get bumped into or my stoma bag gets knocked in a crowd?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It might be worth opting for seated tickets if you are worried about being in a crowd. Or if you are standing, position yourself somewhere with more space \u2013 maybe on the edge or near the back. When choosing what to wear I would always wear something high waisted so I know my bag is secure, or you could wear a support belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best part? I didn\u2019t even think about my stoma during the show. Once I was inside, the music started, and the lights came up \u2013 I was just another fan having the time of my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final thoughts: you CAN do this<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Going to a concert with a stoma is 100% doable. You might need to plan a little more than before, but once you\u2019ve done that \u2013 you can just focus on enjoying the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve even got another concert coming up next month\u2026 Usher at the O2! And I\u2019ll be following the exact same routine because it worked so well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re nervous about doing things with a stoma \u2013 whether it\u2019s concerts, travelling, or even just days out \u2013 I promise it gets easier. And if you ever need someone to say \u201cyou\u2019ve got this\u201d – I\u2019m here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer<\/strong><\/a>
@summers_stoma<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

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