Is this true??????

Hi Friends, I have an embarrassing question and this is the only place I feel safe to ask it. I was reading on the main boards, yesterday I think, and someone mentioned that two things surgery patients need to pack were salad tongs and babywipes. So in my mind I'm thinking . . . hmmm..m. are they talking about what I think they are? So as I read the replies, sure enough, they were using the tongs for "easy access" to some toilet personal hygiene. So I ask those of you who are just out of surgery, did you really need this? I can't imagine being in the bathroom and asking the nurse to "pass me the salad tongs, they are in my suitcase"!!!!! You know the office wants to get me a pre-surgery gift . . . maybe I should suggest . . .. LOL! Denise

I've read about that too. I would think if you can reach now, that you probably won't need help after the surgery. I'm not bringing the tongs. I do have wipes though. Just to freshen up.

Gotcha! I was thinking maybe it had to do with the stoma*****isions making it difficult to bend . . . Hey, aren't you leaving tomarrow to begin your journey??? Good luck! Denise

I think the salad forks are a joke, but. Remember your incision or incisions will be in the front of you upper stomach. Painful to wipe your butt but do able if needed. I didn't. After a liquid diet that was not needed. I went to the bathroom each time I walked. Get the pain meds before you walk you will be okay.

Thanks Linda! I appreciate the advice. Hope you are doing well at 1 week out! Denise

Hi Denise! I see you are having your surgery the same day as me! YEAH...only a week away from now. I heard the same thing about using a back scratcher with wipes taped to it. I totally don't think it's necessary. If I can wipe it now I should be able to wipe then. Pain or not....how long does it take to wipe you butt? I am having open RNY on the 20th. And I know it's gonna hurt, but I can't imagine having to go after taking Citrate of Magnesia the day before surgery. There shouldn't be anything in there to come out. My Mentor from my local support group did however mention that you may want to sit on a towel for a few days. She couldn't tell when she was gonna go. She told me it was like a brown/black liquid and that it stains everything it gets on. So I am going to take her advice. Just thought I might mention it. I don't know if I will have that problem but I don't want to mess up my reasonably new recliner. Have a great week!! 7 days and counting! Sheryl

Whoo Hoo! A week from now we should be in our rooms already, about to start the new adventure! Thanks for the towel info. I am having family over for Thanksgiving, can you imagine me on the couch making a mess???? That would be awful!!! Atleast with my towel, I can have a little dignity and pick it up and go to the bathroom instead of yelling, Hey everyone, stay off the couch, I'll be right back! LOL Good luck with your surgery! Denise

As I am in the middle of the ol "Mag Citrate treatment" I can confirm the claims your mentor made! Marilyn

Denise, Unecessary in my opinion. I will admit that after the BM they required I was in a bit of a quandry with out to reach with out passing out but I managed it. But baby wipes are a good idea...although they helped give me a sponge bath the morning after so I never felt like I was getting nasty...I guess it depends on the hopsital and their protocal. That sponge bath was the BEST!!! She scrubbed my back which felt SO good after laying on it all night. Corinna Q

Hi Denise I had my surgery 6 days ago, my expierence was that you will defenently need wipes but not sure on tongs, heres the thing they put this thing in your toilet to measure you urine called a "hat" so you cant wipe from the front if you go #2, so you have to stand up and wipe from the back, so depending on if you can reach that low backwards then your good, if not you might want to bring the tongs. Wipes are the only way to go bc the toilet paper doesnt have that glide action. Kinda discriptive but I sure do wish someone told me before the big day! GOOD LUCK!