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  • TSA Scans & Incontinence Pads

    Posted by Drew on February 1, 2011 at 4:45 am

    Has anyone had any experience going through the new TSA full body scans while wearing incontinence pads, shields, briefs, etc.?

    I am a recent neobladder recipient who is going back to work soon, and my job involves regular air travel. Since I still need to wear some type of protection during the day, the thought of going through the new TSA Full Body Scans bothers me more than anything else. The Kimberly Clark (Depends) customer service people tell me that because these garments are made of “paper”, they will not be detectible or “Seen” by the scanner.

    Any personal experience out there?

    Thanks,

    Drew

    jimswife replied 13 years, 5 months ago 6 Members · 7 Replies
  • 7 Replies
  • jimswife's avatar

    jimswife

    Member
    August 27, 2011 at 4:25 am

    Right you are, Herb. It is a challenge though for those who travel on a regular basis for work. There was the one horror who back last year where the man’s bag came off and he had urine down the front of himself. It must have been horrific. That man along with some others spoke with TSA leadership, if I understood it correctly, and explained what Flanges/pouches etc are about. Frankly, Jim says he will not allow himself to be put into that position. I would really pay hard cash to see the TSA agent who treated Jim with less than respect…wait, anyone who was treated with less than respect around Jim. Their job is important and sadly we need to have them for the reasons Herb wrote about but wow, it’s tough out there for “the bag people” of the world. All the more reason we need to get the word out to the general public and even some doctors, nurses etc. Many are clueless about “the bag people” of the world and how it all works.

  • herb's avatar

    herb

    Member
    August 25, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    Well, we of the ‘bag-people’ world certainly have to be aware that a bag hanging from one’s abdomen will been seen as a threat by TSA and I understand it even if I have to go to the ‘private’ little room for further checking ; which on sevral occasions I have had to do. My thinking is — a plastic bag taped to one’s body could contain explosives and carried on using forged medical papers or devices. I for one do understand and do not get my psychie bent out of shape. That humans continue to kill one another thinking it will solve problems — now that bugs me a little.


    Age 72 had radical 9/11/10 have conduit everything is fine, grateful to be a cancer survivor. Lost Dad and Brother to Cancer both in their 50’s.
  • Joel's avatar

    Joel

    Member
    August 24, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    I know this is kind of an old thread, but I couldn’t resist. I haven’t personally traveled by air since my RC, but when I do, if the pad becomes an issue, I’ll just pull down my pants and show them the scar! I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time in the back room to explain all about bladder cancer, radical cystoprostatecomies, neo-bladders, stress incontinence, and the whole works! Who knows, maybe I’ll be invited to give a seminar to all of the TSA folks to help them become more sensitive to incontinence-pad-wearers everywhere!

    I all seriousness, none of us need to be worried about what anyone says about the pads, as most of them haven’t been through what we’ve been through. If it helps, wear an informative medical condition bracelet or necklace (metal, I know, but you can take it out of the basket and show it to them if it is necessary). Actually, if you’re in an accident, some sort of medical condition ID may not be a bad idea anyway.

    Neo-bladders of the world – UNITE!! B)


  • Drew's avatar

    Drew

    Member
    February 4, 2011 at 3:33 am

    Good point. I’ll try reposting in the women and bc section.

  • gkline's avatar

    gkline

    Member
    February 3, 2011 at 3:58 pm

    I wonder what they do about a female pad. They would seem to have the same problem if the scanner finds a problem.

    We are asking the wrong gender. This should be moved to the Women and bc thread.

    George


    Light a man a fire and he is warm for an evening.
    Light a man ON fire and he’s warm forever.

    08/08/08…RC neo bladder
    09/09/09…New Hip
    =
    New Man! [/size]

  • Drew's avatar

    Drew

    Member
    February 2, 2011 at 3:24 am

    Thanks Mike. I agree about the “Pat Down”, I’m just worried that if they detect something unusual (incontinence pad) on scan it will lead to a “Pat Down”. I’ve heard on a couple of news reports that that pads and such are seen by the scanner, and am just hoping that someone here can tell me from their first hand experience. Or if not, I guess I will just end up going through the darn thing and finding out.

    Drew

  • mmc's avatar

    mmc

    Member
    February 1, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    I haven’t needed pads since the new scanners have been in place but I can’t imagine that it would show up on the scan. Also, the scan is only looked at on a monitor in a different room, not there at the scanner where people are.

    The bigger issue might be the more ‘intimate’ pat-downs. :)

    Mike


    Age 54
    10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
    9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
    10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
    2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
    9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
    1/2014 ct scan results….distant mets
    2/2014 ct result…spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph system

    My opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of ABLCS or anyone else. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV.

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