Question:
This is for women only regarding cleaning ones self after going to the bathroom...
I first want to say thank you to all the supportive members here. I am pre-op, 350 lbs and 5'1'. Since I am very obsese and most of my weight is in my stomach I am having trouble cleasing myself after going to the bathroom (I know...graphic and embarassing). I am concerned about this now and after surgery since I know that after surgery cleansing yoursef can be difficult. Has anyone else had (has) this problem? What have you done about it? I heard something about tongs?? Thank you for all the support! — Dr.Marcy (posted on June 12, 2003)
June 11, 2003
I fortunately didn't have this problem, however if you go to the library
and put in just the word TONGS - it will bring up lots of answers to this
question. Best of luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 11, 2003
I used tongs and wet wipes. It worked very well. Hope this helps.
— Catherine B.
June 11, 2003
I am also pre-op, but sometimes it is hard for me now. If you go to my
profile, there is a medical website that I used to order my the bottom
wiper. This is great, and I use the wet wipes, because it does not tier
like toliet paper. I have heard people using tongs, that does not work for
me. I can not wait until I can do this without pulling my back out and
doing a circus act just to keep clean. Good Luck.
— cindy
June 11, 2003
At 300lb I could still reach, just barely and with my left hand only. Now
at 177 I can reach with either hand and bathing is so much easier. Do you
think my arms got longer? Just kidding. But the little every day things we
take for granted become so much easier after we shed those pounds.
— Tawnda C.
June 12, 2003
Don't have an answer for cleaning after #2, but as far as #1, when I had my
daughter they gave me an epi-bottle that was basically a water bottle with
several little holes to squirt water out. This was so that you didn't have
to actually wipe the tender tissue after having the baby, and all the
postpartum blood. You just squirt several times and then blot dry with a
towel. Don't know if this will help, but after my second baby they didn't
offer one automatically and I had to ask for it - I even keep it around for
other times I might be tender.
— bethybb
June 12, 2003
I have found that by wrapping a wet wipe around one end of a plastic coat
hanger and standing with one leg up on side of tub I can do a pretty good
job of keeping this area clean. I really hate it, but I hate the mess more!
— Chris F.
June 13, 2003
I don't mean to laugh about this, but I had the same problem. When I got
to the hospital, they were telling me what to expect and then handed me
this kitchen utinsel, I use it (not the same one) for picking my corn out
of a hot pot of water. Anyway, I looked at the nurse and said "what
am I supposed to do with this?" She told me "wrap toilet paper
around it and that's how you will wipe." My husband and I looked at
each other and burst into laughter! The nurse said "that's everyone's
reaction." I used it while I was there and was determined after I got
home not to use it. But I had to use it for about a week and then tossed
it. I also used the baby wipes, too. They didn't stick to you like toilet
paper does.
— dolphins94
June 13, 2003
Check out this website:
http://www.lifewithease.com/bottombuddy.html
— Charlotte G.
June 15, 2003
Been there, am there! Bamboo back stratcher and baby wipes are a marvel.
Not just a handy dandy cleaning tool but useful in reaching items and
scratching too. Good Luck!
— Angela P.
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