Question:
Any suggestion on how to clean yourslef (hiney) after surgery?

How do you clean yourself after using the restroom? I cannot imagine after having the open rny how to do this procedure (painfree). any suggestions would be helpful. Sorry for the graphic nature.    — Laura T. (posted on July 4, 2002)

July 3, 2002
I PERSONALLY LIKE TO USE A WET WARM WASH CLOTH ON MY REAR END AFTER A BM! USE BABY WIPES IF YOU WISH, YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THIS SIGHT LAST WEEK WHEN EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT USEING TONGS OR A WOODEN SPOON WITH BABY WIPES ON IT TO REACH YOUR BEHIND! I ALSO LIKE TO HOP IN THE SHOWER AND USE MY FLEXABLE SHOWER HOSE , BUT THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TIME WISE! GOOD LUCK! O LAST NIGHT I WENT TO TAKE A BATH! AS I WAS RUNNING THE HOT WATER I GOT IN THE TUB! BIG SPLASH! WELL AS I LANDED SOMETHING HIT MY REAR END! THERE WAS SOMETHING UNDER ME IN THE CRACK ! IT WAS BIG! I COULDNT MOVE OR STAND UP TO GET IT! IT HURT! WELL WHEN I FINALLY GOT IT, IT WAS THE SHAMPOO BOTTLE! ANYONE EVER HAD A SHAMPOO BOTTLE UP THEIR REAR? DON'T IT HURTS! HA HA NOW I HAVE SEEN IT ALL!
   — CYNDI B.

July 3, 2002
I went to a dollar store and bought some metal tongs (the short kind) and used them with Cottenelle wipes for about a week after surgery. It was definitely a life saver!
   — kristinevok

July 3, 2002
My hubby lent me a hand during this time of need. I sure love that man. He not only wiped my hiney but he had to pack my incission 3 times a day for 2 weeks and helped me stay fresh. NEVER once complaining. Whudda guy!
   — Sassy M.

July 4, 2002
Hubbies are the way to "go" (excuse the expression). He said it's part of the job and he knows I'd do the same for him if need be!
   — Marti R.

July 4, 2002
I have to agree completely with Connie and Marti. My husband stayed with me the entire time during my hospital stay. He helped me with my first sponge bath as well as my first trip to the bathroom. I never had my first BM until I was at home, but he was still there to help out. He was and is still my biggest support person.
   — trtorrey

July 4, 2002
Ok, forget the baby wipes the first few days. There is no way on this green earth you'll be able to reach if you have Open RNY. You'll be unable to reach even a little bit...so here is my advice. My boyfriend helped me most times...but during the night when there was no one, I took one of the hospitals small towels and soaked it. I rung it out and put it between my legs. I used it in a sawing motion, like that silly strip-tease move you always see. It worked, and that's all that matters. None of the aides would help me, so I said what the heck. Desperations yields the best ideas!
   — Kelly C.

July 4, 2002
I ordered the Bottom Buddy from www.dynamic-living.com/bottom_buddy.htm. Yes, my darling hubby will be there to help me, but if he doesn't happen to be around when the need arises or after I get home and he has to go back to work, I'll have something to help me. Best Wishes, Jo-Dee
   — tinyjo

July 4, 2002
Well I totally took care of myself and it was not painful at all. I had open rny and it was no different than before I had the surgery. I don't know if how many pounds overweight you has anything to with it or not. I weighed 276 the day of my surgery. I was afraid to try, but after I did and found out it was a breeze. Good luck to you!
   — terrifogle40

July 4, 2002
Hi. I weighed 305 when I had my surgery and I had open rny and was able to wipe myself without any problems! I did go to the hospital prepared and took a wooden spoon, but I never used it, I was able to do it myself!
   — Happy B.

July 4, 2002
I had surgery on june 24th and I did have any problem wiping and I didn't have any pain either maybe I'm one of the lucky ones I started out at 356.
   — Samitra D J.

July 4, 2002
I had a shower brush that had a removable handle that was old and I was throwing away. I took the handle off, bleached it, and used that. I found that it was much better than a wooden spoon because it was curved to fit my body and I didn't have to work so hard to gt myself clean. Good luck!
   — Loretta E.

July 6, 2002
I had my surgery on 7/2... and I was released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. I only had problems cleaning myself when I was in ICU - the 1st 24 hours after surgery (the nurses had to do it). But the next day, I was able to take care of everything myself.
   — Valerie H.

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