Louise Thompson wore a black swimsuit as she shared the first time she’s submerging herself in water for three months on Sunday.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018.
After being candid with her followers, Louise headed to the swimming pool this weekend with her son Leo after feeling confident enough to get into water with the stoma bag.
She looked happy and healthy and showed off her toned physique in the black one piece as she went down a slide with Leo and beamed.
Louise penned in the caption: ‘This is the first time I’ve fully submerged myself in water in over 3 months. That’s actually crazy. I can’t believe I’m saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing.
Louise Thompson wore a black swimsuit as she shared the first time she’s submerging herself in water for three months on Sunday
The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having a stoma bag fitted after years of suffering from ulcerative colitis following a diagnosis in 2018
‘I think I’ve adjusted to life with a stoma incredibly quickly (I know someone who wasn’t able to change their bag for several months post ‘ostomy’ surgery and had to get a family member to help)… zero judgement btw… it’s fairly hideous having to look at an organ with absolutely no desire to go into the medical field.
‘FYI I always thought that red funnel thing was a plastic tube and seeing it have ‘a life of its own’ was a bit of a rude awakening. But I think I’ve adjusted well. However, there are certain things that have taken a bit more time than others…
‘I was scared to get really soaked or have a bath in case I ‘hurt it’ or drowned it or water went inside it and flushed it out or in case I got an infection or some other weird horror story.
‘They don’t really seem to come with a manual. And even though people told me that I’d be ok I still thought that maybe I’d burn it in the bath?!?!? But in this instance I just had to get on with it. Less thinking, more doing. I couldn’t come to this magnificent hotel and NOT go in the infamous Sharky and George pool.
‘So I took the plunge. And there was only one way to do it… On a giant red slide, with my son, in the hope i’d see his eyes light up! Which they did. After the look of terror died dissipated. Then obviously came the ‘AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN’.
‘Then I had a bath. Then I had another bath. Then I went to another pool yesterday. Can’t keep me away. Today I ate some lettuce too.’
Louise shared the news of having a stoma bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it is ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’.
Louise has previously spoken about her ongoing struggles with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis as well as the autoimmune disease lupus.
After being candid with her followers, Louise headed to the swimming pool this weekend with her son Leo after feeling confident enough to get into water with the stoma bag
Louise penned in the caption: ‘This is the first time I’ve fully submerged myself in water in over 3 months. That’s actually crazy. I can’t believe I’m saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing’
She looked happy and healthy and showed off her toned physique in the black one piece as she went down a slide with Leo and beamed
She added: ‘So I took the plunge. And there was only one way to do it… On a giant red slide, with my son, in the hope i’d see his eyes light up! Which they did’
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic bowel condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers develop on the colon’s lining, which can bleed. The condition has no cure, but can be effectively managed with time.
Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two.
The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and was left with post traumatic stress disorder.
Louise shared a video of herself showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I DISCLOSE THIS SORT OF NEWS?
‘It’s not exactly exciting like a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look i’m having a boy… Hey look i’ve got a stoma!
‘So I guess i’ll just stand here. Proud in stature. With my new friend. Le bum bag, that represents life. And hopefully a better one.
‘Isn’t it bizarre that this little grey pouch is the price I pay for good health! I say good riddance to that nasty menacing colon!
Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, and added: ‘Please be kind.’
Louise shared the news of having a stoma bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it is ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’
Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a ulcerative colitis flare up during a holiday with her fiance Ryan Libbey and their little boy Leo, two (pictured at the time)
In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the pouch and told her fans she was ‘introducing the bag that may well have saved her life’.
She added: ‘Not exactly a glamorous announcement but not something I want to keep hidden forever.’
Louise’s post was flooded with supportive messages from her friends and followers, including her brother’s girlfriend Zara McDermott.
Sharing her own message of support, she wrote: ‘When you think about it, it’s a beautiful thing because it means less time in hospital, less time in pain, less time with a poison organ in your body! Now you are free my girl. Now it’s time for you.’
What is a stoma?
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces.
According to the NHS, this procedure may be needed if you cannot pass stools through your anus, which could be the result of an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system.
In the UK, it is estimated that one in 335 people have had the surgery.
The procedure can be part treatment for a number of illnesses, including cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease or any trauma to the abdomen.
The stoma will generally be ‘pink and most – like the inside of our mouths’. After the surgery, it will be swollen, but this will reduce in six to eight weeks.
There is no sensation to touching a stoma – as there are no nerves – but different people will have theirs in a different size or shape.
It is also possible to have a temporary stoma, which could later be reversed, if the diseased or damaged area in the bowel needs to heal over time.
A stoma is a surgically-created opening made on the abdomen, which is made to divert the flow of urine and faeces. Stock image used
TYPES OF STOMA
COLOSTOMY
This refers to an opening in the colon – the large intestine. During the operation, a part of the colon will be brought from inside the body through their abdomen. The output from this ‘often resembles a traditional stool’ and functions around one to three times a day.
ILEOSTOMY
For this procedure, the surgeon will bring a part of the small intestine – the ileum specifically – from inside the patient’s body and bring it through the abdomen, stitching it down to secure it. The output for an ileostomy is looser than that of a colostomy. An ileostomy bag – which enables drainage into the toilet between three to six times a day’ – is also worn.
UROSTOMY
A urostomy refers to an opening for a person’s urine specifically. For this, the surgeon will take a piece of someone’s small intestine and attach it to the ureters. This will ‘form a passageway for urine to pass through’. For this, one of the tube is brought out through the abdomen. A urostomy bag will also have a ‘bung or tap on the bottom to allow urine to be drained at regular intervals into the toilet’.
Source: Colostomy UK, NHS
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