Louise Thompson wears a black swimsuit as she shares her joy at submerging herself in water for the first time in three months – after having stoma bag fitted

Louise Thompson wore a black swimsuit as she shared the first time she immersed herself in water for three months on Sunday.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having an ostomy bag fitted after suffering from ulcerative colitis for years following a diagnosis in 2018.

After opening up to her followers, Louise took her son Leo to the pool this weekend after feeling confident enough to enter the water with the ostomy bag.

She looked happy and healthy and showed off her toned physique in the black swimsuit as she went down a slide with Leo and beamed.

Louise wrote in the caption: ‘This is the first time in over three months that I have completely submerged myself in water. That’s actually crazy. I can’t believe I’m saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 34, opened up earlier this month about having an ostomy bag fitted after suffering from ulcerative colitis for years following a diagnosis in 2018

‘I think I’ve adapted incredibly quickly to life with a stoma (I know someone who couldn’t change their bag for several months after ostomy surgery and had to call in a family member to help)… zero judgment by the way… it’s pretty awful to have 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 it was a bit of a rude awakening to see that it ‘had a life of its own’. But I think I’ve adapted well. However, there are certain things that have taken a little more time than others…

“I was afraid of actually getting soaked or taking a bath in case I ‘hurt’ him or drown, or water gets in and rinses him out or in case I get an infection or another weird horror story.

‘There doesn’t really seem to be a manual. And even though people told me it would be fine, I still thought I might burn it off in the bath?!?!? But in this case I just had to keep going. Think less, do more. I couldn’t come to this beautiful hotel and NOT go in the infamous Sharky and George pool.

‘So I took the step. And there was only one way to do it… On a giant red slide, with my son, hoping to see his eyes light up! What they did. After the look of fear died, disappeared. Then of course came the ‘AGAIN AGAIN’.

‘Then I took a bath. Then I took another bath. Then yesterday I went to another swimming pool. I can’t keep myself away. Today I also ate some lettuce.’

Louise shared the news that she had an ostomy bag fitted with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted that it was ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’.

Louise has previously spoken about her ongoing battle with the bowel condition ulcerative colitis and the autoimmune disease lupus.

After opening up to her followers, Louise took her son Leo to the pool this weekend after feeling confident enough to enter the water with the ostomy bag

Louise wrote in the caption: ‘This is the first time in over three months that I have completely submerged myself in water. That’s actually crazy. I can’t believe I’m saying that. No swims. No baths. No nothing’

Looking happy and healthy, she showed off her toned physique in the black swimsuit 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, hoping to see his eyes light up! What they did’

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic intestinal condition in which the colon and rectum become inflamed and small ulcers form on the lining of the colon, which may bleed. The condition cannot be cured, but can be managed effectively over time.

Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after suffering a flare-up of ulcerative colitis while on holiday with her fiancé Ryan Libbey and their son Leo, two.

The fitness influencer almost died during the birth of her son Leo in 2021 and suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

Louise shared a video showing the bag, which is attached to her stomach, and wrote: HOW DO I RELEASE THIS KIND OF NEWS?

‘It’s not exactly as exciting as a big pregnancy or gender reveal announcement! Hey look, I’m having a boy… Hey look, I have a stoma!

“So I think I’ll just stand here. Proud of stature. With my new boyfriend. Le fanny pack, that stands for life. And hopefully a better one.

‘Isn’t it bizarre that this little gray bag is the price I pay for good health! I say goodbye to that pesky, menacing colon!

Louise urged people to support her choice to share her news online, adding: ‘Please be kind.’

Louise shared the news that she had been fitted with a colostomy bag with her Instagram followers in early April, as she bravely admitted it was ‘not something she wanted to hide forever’

Earlier this year she spent two weeks in hospital after contracting ulcerative colitis while on holiday with her fiancé Ryan Libbey and their son Leo, two (pictured at the time)

In the clip, Louise lifted her top to reveal the bag and told fans she was “introducing the bag that may 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.

She shared her own message of support, writing, “When you think about it, it’s a beautiful thing because it means less time in the 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 in the abdomen that is created to divert the flow of urine and feces.

According to the NHS, this procedure may be necessary if you are unable to pass stool through your anus, which may be due to an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system.

In Britain, an estimated one in 335 people have had the operation.

The procedure can be a partial treatment for a number of diseases, including cancer, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, or any trauma to the abdomen.

The stoma is generally ‘pink and most similar to the inside of our mouth’. After the operation, the swelling will be swollen, but this will subside within six to eight weeks.

There is no sensation when touching a stoma – because there are no nerves – but different people will have their stoma in a different size or shape.

It is also possible to have a temporary stoma, which can be repaired later if the diseased or damaged area in the intestine needs to heal over time.

A stoma is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that is created to divert the flow of urine and feces. Stock image used

TYPES OF STOMA

COLOSTOMY

This refers to an opening in the large intestine – the colon. During the operation, part of the colon is inserted through the abdomen. The output of this often ‘resembles a traditional crutch’ and functions approximately one to three times a day.

ILEOSTOMY

For this procedure, the surgeon will insert a portion of the small intestine (specifically the ileum) from the patient’s body, pass it through the abdomen, and sew it in place to secure it. The output for an ileostomy is looser than that of a colostomy. An ileostomy bag is also worn, which allows drainage to the toilet three to six times a day.

UROSTOMY

A urostomy specifically refers to an opening for a person’s urine. To do this, the surgeon takes a piece of a person’s small intestine and attaches it to the ureters. This will ‘create a passage for urine to pass through’. For this purpose, one of the tubes is brought out through the abdomen. A urostomy bag also has a ‘stop or tap at the bottom, so that the urine can be drained into the toilet at regular intervals’.

Source: Colostomy UK, NHS