Can you go to a concert with a stoma bag? Absolutely. And I’m here to tell you why.
I recently went to a Teddy Swims concert at Wembley in London, and it was incredible. If you’re wondering whether having a stoma will stop you from doing certain things, or if you’ve recently had surgery and are feeling anxious about going to your first big event – 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.
First… Let’s talk about Teddy Swims
Before we get into the stoma stuff, we need to take a moment to appreciate Teddy Swims. If you haven’t heard his music yet – 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’t going to stopping me.
The main worries (let’s break them down)
When you’ve got a stoma, new experiences can bring a whole wave of “what ifs.” So let’s look at some of the common worries together and how I handled them.
1. What if I need to empty my bag during the concert?
Here’s what I did:
- Emptied my bag before leaving home
- Emptied again at the restaurant before heading to the venue
- Used the toilet once during the concert
- Then didn’t need to empty again until I got home
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’t fill too much while I was in the middle of dancing and singing my heart out.
2. What if my bag leaks?
This is probably the biggest worry for most of us. Here’s how I prepped:
- Changed my bag before I went out – I always do this before any big event
- Packed a small kit: two spare bags, two seals, dry wipes, a disposable bag, and some barrier wipes
- You could also use flange extenders for extra security
And don’t worry about carrying all that – most venues have a small bag policy, usually something A4 size or smaller, and everything fit in mine easily.
3. What if I can’t find an accessible toilet in time?
Not knowing where the toilets are or whether they’ll be accessible, especially if the ques are long can be a concern. Here’s what I find helps:
- Most big venues (like Wembley or the O2) have accessible toilets. Get there early and familiarise yourself with the location and don’t be afraid to ask security or venue staff for help!
- Carry your Radar key with you, so you can use the accessible toilets.
4. What if I get bumped into or my stoma bag gets knocked in a crowd?
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 – 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.
The best part? I didn’t even think about my stoma during the show. Once I was inside, the music started, and the lights came up – I was just another fan having the time of my life.
Final thoughts: you CAN do this
Going to a concert with a stoma is 100% doable. You might need to plan a little more than before, but once you’ve done that – you can just focus on enjoying the experience.
I’ve even got another concert coming up next month… Usher at the O2! And I’ll be following the exact same routine because it worked so well.
If you’re nervous about doing things with a stoma – whether it’s concerts, travelling, or even just days out – I promise it gets easier. And if you ever need someone to say “you’ve got this”—I’m here!
