Question:
I know that this may seem like a personal questions, but....
I am waiting for a first consultation at the end of June to speak with a surgeon about the surgery. In the meantime, I am having problems with personal hygeine issues as I wait. When I go to the bathroom, it is becoming harder and harder to wipe myself (I can't seem to reach!!) Maybe my arms are too short (trying to get away from blaming my FAT!!)!! Anyway, does anyone have any suggestions on how I can handle this. How am I going to be able to reach to keep myself clean?? Do any of you former obese people have any suggestions?? Thanks in advance! — [Anonymous] (posted on May 5, 2000)
May 5, 2000
This wasn't a problem for me before surgery (I have long arms) :0) but it
is after since I can't bend half as far as I could last week. I read this
in one of the news groups and it works - buy a plastic long handled mixing
spoon and wrap some toilet paper on the bowl of the spoon. Wrap it more
tightly at the handle side so it doesn't slide off. It may take you a few
tries to get it the first time, but it beats the heck out of doing
acrobatics.
— Kasey K.
May 5, 2000
My surgeon and hospital gave us tongs (like what you would
take hotdogs out of boiling water with) after surgery. They
stay closed holding the TP and work much better than I imagined!
— M B.
May 5, 2000
Yes, me, too! With my build, I had not been able to "reach" for
months but could not admit it! I was ALLLLL stomach, but my arms had grown
shorter & shorter, so I could barely reach the top of my head, either.
Hideous life. When I first suggested surgery, my husband just said NO, NO
WAY (too scared). I finally had to name all my in abilities and this was
the hardest. I mean, the poor man saw me as his sex goddess (no matter the
size), so it was awfully hard to tell him THIS one. The wt comes off so
fast after RNY that it just was not an issue... It just melted away.....
— vitalady
May 5, 2000
I will be having my surgery June 23rd and have had this problem with
hygiene over the past year. I discovered a VERY useful trick. When ready
to clean, stand up(Iuse my left hand), get the tissue ready in your left
hand, lean your shoulder and arm against the wall (with your left side and
twist your body clockwise a little) and use the force from the wall to push
your hand back even further to clean. I was overjoyed with this when I
discovered it. Hopefully after June I won't need it. Hope it works!
— [Anonymous]
May 5, 2000
Hi, well I haven't had this problem, but what I have heard
from other people was, useing a spray bottle with warm soapy
water "not to much soap" to spray your self then get some cheap
long dish rags put between your legs swing the rag back to front holding
one end then grab other end now useing both hands rub back and forth to dry
this sounds silly. But I heard it works the spoon I dea is ok for moveing
you bowels.. a bit of advise for the spoon instead of toilet paper use baby
wipes I use them now and it is much cleaner and you will feel cleaner too!
hope this helps give it a try you have nothing to lose... GOOD LUCK
— Ann F.
May 5, 2000
Might try a a spatula wrappen in TP... When I was post-op it was hard to
reach without pain for a week. This worked well. Best of luck!
— [Anonymous]
May 5, 2000
Hi I had the exact same problem before surgery but now after 2 weeks post
op it isn't nearly as difficult. It will definately get better.
— Tamilyn12
May 5, 2000
Hi - I've heard people say the tongs worked very well for them. My mother
was an invalid and the home nurse recommended a spray that is 'designed to
dissolve fecal soils' and cleanse the perineal area after bms - its called
Aloe Vesta 2-n-1 perineal/skin cleanser by Convatec a division of Squibb.
I found it at a drugstore that carries a large line of convalescent
supplies. There is a phone number on the bottle 1-800-422-8811. This
really helped to clean her and keep her free from irritations and rashes.
I'm sure you will lose so rapidly that you won't need this for long. Good
luck!
— Toni B.
May 12, 2000
Sorry to say this, but the problem with personal hygiene is definitely
weight related. I had the same problem. Notice the tense. I weighed 474
pounds. I use to take a wash cloth, loaded with soap and water, place it
on the door frame of the bathroom, and turn my back to the wash cloth, move
up and down. Very gently! This took care of hygiene problem when I was
at home. Be happy. I had the surgery RNY on 10-/4/1999 and this is a
problem of the past. I have absolutely no trouble with hygiene now. I
have lost 157 pounds. I weigh 254. My actual starting weight for
surgery was 419.5, but I did weigh 474.5 for a long time. Regards. LOL
Beth H.
— Elizabeth H.
May 13, 2000
I was ok til I reached 300 lbs then I became unable to clean myself
properly after a bowel movement, etc.
I get a catalogue from DR LEONARD'S via mail. In the catalogue is
advertised a very long handled body brush.
I sent for it and hoped that it would help w/ the problem. It works like a
charm! I apply soap to one side of
the brush, then lean forward placing the long handled brush between my
legs, either to my anus or pubic area.
Then I brush back and forth. I then take the brush and wash it off
thoroughly. I return it to the area and rinse
w/ the wet brush in hand. It may take more than one rinsing. I use one side
of the brush for wiping from bowel movements,
and the other side of the brush to wipe pubic area. It is important to keep
the brush thoroughly clean. Washing w/ very hot
water, thoroughly after you are all done using the brush. I then lay the
brush on it's side so that it can drain the water out,
and dry. This method has helped me when nothing else did. I have short arms
and legs, plus being over 300 lbs presently. I plan
on taking the brush to the hospital w/ me when I have my surgery, too. I am
glad that others have been so honest in sharing their
same problem w/ us. I was too embarrassed to mention it til now. If you can
not get a DR LEONARD'S catalogue, then get a long handled
net type brush from the dollar store, etc and use it the same way. Both
works fine! Can't wait for the day that I do not have to do this
though, no matter how easy it is to do!! I want to clean myself the
"normal" way, once more!!
— [Anonymous]
May 13, 2000
When I was in the hospital with my RNY I used a long-handled wooden spoon.
I had brought some flushable wipes to the hospital with me. I wrapped a
couple of those around the bowl of the spoon. It worked great!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 8, 2000
Oh my goodness!!! I thought I was the only one! This is one of the biggest
reasons I wanted this surgery. I was amazed at people's responses,
certainly no lack of creativity for us is there? Some of these are great
ideas!! I'm always sooo embarrased if I have to have a bm away from home
and I have nothing to clean myself up with. And yes, I too have short
arms. Oh my Surgery is scheduled for 7/7/00
— Claudia A.
June 8, 2000
Although I haven't experienced this problem too badly (before my surgery I
would sometimes get a stitch in my side trying to wipe myself properly,
though) I do have a question, and this seems like the best place to ask. My
mother (who refuses to have the surgery) is 5'2" and weighs about 400
pounds. She almost constantly has an odor about her that is very bad. I
know what it is because I almost got to that point where I couldn't keep
clean. Its been talked about, for example my brothers and I, when we're in
a car with her, have a really hard time of it. Its bad. Anyway, we can't
figure out a way to talk to her about it appropriately. She had surgery on
her sinuses a few years back and it affected her sense of smell, so she may
not even know about it. The thing is, she's a business woman and travels
with clients frequently, and it may be affecting her business. You can see
my problem. Does anyone have any advice? Its such a delicate subject, and I
don't want to hurt her feelings.
— Elizabeth M.
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