Question:
Are you able to bend (sitting on the toilet and such) or get yourself into a car?

I worry about these things, and my inability to take care of personal matters of hygiene and toiletry on my own after surgery.    — Cary D. (posted on August 12, 2001)

August 11, 2001
I had open Rny surgery two weeks ago. The first night after surgery I had this problem I was still on the morphine pump and I was having trouble. That time my mom had to wipe me because for the life of me I could not work those tongs. After that night though I was able to wipe myself by propping up a leg on the toliet. I am way to stubborn to have anyone wipe me. I was also able to get myself in and out of the car very slowly. I also had a easy recovery so I was very lucky!! Good Luck!! Dana
   — [Anonymous]

August 12, 2001
Well I've not been able to wipe my butt for several years. Forgive the graphics, but after two weeks,..... ONLY two weeks I can! And believe me it is GREAT! ;) It's just one simple thing that makes life a whole lot nicer. ;) Yes for around 9 days you are most likely going to have it hard, but after that time things will get easier. It's natural to worry, but we are only human and can only do what we can do. Hopefully you have someone who loves you enough to help you through the beginning. Then as you get better, slowly take over what they've been doing for you. As long as you don't try to take advantage of it. It was my Mom who helped me greatly. But she is elderly and I tried very hard to do whatever I could for myself but just as soon as I could I went back taking care of myself. The really bad thing was the lawn. I have a riding lawn mower but the yard is so bumppy that I had to wait a couple of weeks before I felt I could stand the pain of mowing. Then I had to hold my gut for the first three or four weeks I had to mow. That's a killer. ;) PS If you can rent a hospital bed for nine or ten days, do it. I used her hospital bed as I had to lay on my back (I hate that) and had to sleep half way up in the air. It's very uncomfortble for 10 days. At least with the Open RNY. Good luck.
   — Danmark

August 12, 2001
Hi Cary. My answer to you is pretty much the same that I answer to all questions relative to "how difficult will it be for me right after surgery?". There are many factors: (1) how much overweight are you? Someone 120 lbs overweight will likely be "more capable" than someone who is 300 lbs overweight. (2) how old are you? (3) how healthy are you? Some co-morbs are more debilitating than others. (4) What surgery are you having? Any surgery done laparoscopically will allow you to be "more capable" just after surgery. There are other factors as well. As for myself, I was 170 lbs overweight - I could barely wipe myself prior to surgery. I was 7 - 8 days post-op before I could perform this on my own (I didn't try tongs or wooden spoons). I wish you the best of luck!!!! Kevin
   — meilankev

August 12, 2001
It was painful for the first week doing any bending, but after a week I had the staples out and it made a huge difference. I went back to work at 2 weeks which involved bending and I was ok.
   — Brian G.

August 12, 2001
In answer to your question, bring some "tongs" or a "wooden spoon" with you to the hospital. It was one of the best suggestions anyone gave me that truly helped me alot. You the tongs or wooden spoon to wrap the toilet paper around to be able to help you to reach so you won't have to bend or stretch. I used it even when I came home for about a week. Really, really works. Good Luck on you pending surgery. See ya in the chat room. Lala from Texas (Sharon)
   — Sharon A.

August 12, 2001
Hey, I am 3 days post op and still need help getting around, up and down and all over LOL. My husband and mother are here to help me out. I still have alot of pain, but just because I do doesn't mean u will also. So, keep that in mind K! I have only been the car once and that was coming home and the ride was ok as long as he drove real steady and avoided as many bumps as he could. Well good luck to you and see u on the other side soon. Michelle
   — ncgal

August 12, 2001
I am 3 weeks post op - open rny - and 140 lb overweight....never had a problem wiping pre-op but with the staples in it was rough to reach. I did what the other post suggested - one foot on the toilet but once home I kept a water bottle under the sink with the pull top opening...while doing my thing I could flip the fan on - much needed!!! and run the warm water then filled the bottle with very warm water and squirted away - aaahhhhhhhh so good - so all I had to do was pat dry after about a week I was able to reach easily....walking and getting up and down it the best way to heal faster....the car was no ploblem for me as long as I take my time...and bring your pillow with to hold over your tummy if it is a bumpy ride.
   — [Anonymous]

August 13, 2001
I did ok getting in and out of the car as long as I took my time. I had a pillow to sit on and one to hold against my tummy. As for the personal hygene matters, I did need help for the first 2 weeks, but after that I was able to take care of things myself.
   — Terry H.