Question:
How does one wipe their tushie after surgery?
For those of us who are super mo, it is a strech anyway. But I really don't want to have to ask for help wiping!! Escpecially since I have heard that our bodily functions go through some changes in appearance and odor after the surgery. My very helpful mother said that I shpuld practice before surg....wiping without bending or twisting. It is kind of funny....we worry about surviving the surgery on one hand and them about wiping our heiney on the other. I looked in the library for an hour or better so I wouldn't have to ask, but could not find anything. Thanks! — cherokey55 (posted on April 14, 2002)
April 13, 2002
Funny, I had the same concern and found that it just wasn't a big problem.
Remember that the nurses at the hospital are used to doing things much
worse than this - that it is their job, after all - and just ask for their
help. They certainly understood when I was in the hospital. Also, some
people have used tongs to help reach. I didn't have to do this but did
find that one lifesaver was taking wet wipes to the hospital with me. It
really helped me feel much cleaner and the nurses even thought it was a
good idea. Good luck to you - just remember that you will never have to go
through asking for this kind of help again once the weight comes off!!!
— Vicki N.
April 13, 2002
Hi Terri, I remember reading a lot about this on here when I was looking
into surgery a year ago. I guess since the anonymous feature was taken
away, it has deterred this question. Good for you for asking. There will
be others wanting to know the same thing. The answer that I commonly saw
was to use a wooden spoon. I have heard that they give these to patients
at the popular Bariatric Treatment Center. There are also the new
Cottonelle wet wipes, which I used and still love using. They make you
feel much cleaner than with TP and fresh. Wrap one of those around the
wooden spoon so you don't have to do the contortionist act. Oh, and I also
saw where there were some recommending using tongs too. Look up spoon and
tong(sp) in the library and you should get more info. Good luck!
— Cheri M.
April 14, 2002
Hi! I purchased a cheap pair of metal tongs from Wal-mart. The ones with
the square tongs and LOOOOONG handle. Then I purchased cottonelle wet
tushie wipes. I wrapped one or two around the tongs and cleaned my hiney. I
used them for almost a week out of the hospital too. They came in handy.
Then I just threw them in the trash when I was able to do it myself. Good
luck!
— Renee V.
April 14, 2002
Get thee to a dollar store! :) I bought a pair of tongs at the dollar store
and also used cottenelle wipes. Worked like a charm. And after about 10
days, I threw them away. Good luck!
— kristinevok
April 14, 2002
Very delicate but important question.
Two ways I know of to take care of personal hygiene for those of us who
find it hard to reach:
#1 Buy a "Bottom Buddy" online at www.dynamic-living.com - it's
wonderful!!! I saved up for one ($39.95)
#2 Buy one or two LONG handled wooden spoons and a dozen cheap white
washclothes to put around them (then you have to wash them) with the Botton
Buddy you just use the eject button and the tissue drops into the commode!
— Sharon W.
April 14, 2002
Thanks to all for responding. It is a delicate issue but I really hate the
idea of being so dependent on people especially for my basic needs. Anyway
I figure its better to ask now than being stuck on the toilet and having to
pretend to be McGyver and produce a wiping device out of toilet paper,my
house-shoe, and a curling iron!!! LOL
— cherokey55
April 14, 2002
I was not super MO. However, I have my pride as well. In my mental state
after surgery, I swallowed that pride ( I could find my nose, let alone my
butt) and I asked the nurse once. You don't go often. So it was only
once. The next day I managed on my own. If Hub was there, I would have
made him do it (probably a better reaction that my Nurse, she wasn't very
sympathetic!)- sure, I would have owed him big time... but, man, if that
isn't true love then what is? He has cared for me after many surgeries,
changed breast deduction bandages etc. held my hair back over many a
toliet...... For better or worse, and while it makes me queasy to think of
it; for him or any other in absolute need, I would do it in a heartbeat.
— Karen R.
April 14, 2002
Before I had surgery I read or saw on the site the answer to this very
question,Take a long handled old wooden spoon with you,Or get a new one you
will throw it away after any way/Roll TP around it and proceed to wipe your
tush.I also took baby wipes and used them for another problem.I got my
period the day before surgery! It works and all you need do is wash it @
the sink or wipe it down with another baby wipe.I hope this helps and it
isn't the same answer others gave ^j^ Patti
— Patricia L.
April 14, 2002
I'm just adding my 2 cents to this issue. You got so many great ideas and
everyone has such imaginative ideas to help. My only worry about the
wooden spoon thing is the fact that wood is very absorbent and bacteria may
linger on it. I would definately think about the metal tongs first. I was
just thinking about what they say about wood cutting boards and chicken and
thought that this might apply here too. Good luck..you'll do great.
— Barbara H.
April 14, 2002
I like the idea of the wooden spoon versus the tongs, but I know that when
I didn't need it any more, I would throw it away.
— garw
April 14, 2002
Hey there.....I was really worried about that before my surgery also...so I
brought some tongs and wipes with me to the hospital, but I didn't even go
to the bathroom until my third day out, and by then I didn't need anything
to help me, I did it without any problems....with all the pain meds you'll
be getting, it shouldn't hurt.....mine didn't. P.S. I had an open rny 2
months ago. :)
— Jennifer M.
April 14, 2002
In regards to the previous poster stating that wooden spoons wouldn't be a
good idea because of bacteria. I don't think that anyone in their right
mind would use the wooden spoon with food after being used to wipe feces.
Give these people more credit than that. The wooden spoon is very popular
among the WLS post-ops. Just throw it away after done using it, and don't
eat with it:~)
— Cheri M.
April 16, 2002
I am almost sure the answer posted about the bacteria etc on the spoon as
being a concern was not to be taken as a person would use it afterwards or
even before wls for food. Once a person wipes using a wooden spoon bacteria
can and most certainly will grow on it even if you wash it with soap and
water. Not sure that we would all be up to soaking the spoon in a
disinfectant after each use :) The spoon is a good idea but i do see what
the other person was trying to get across (wooden cutting
boards/chicken...)
Just my thoughts... :)
~*Jodi*~ ><{{*>
— Jodi D.
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