Question:
Help I heard diarrhea is a problem psot op, so how am I going to wipe myself a

I have trouble now with personal clean up I know this is very embarrasing but lets face it it's reality so how am I going to clean up post op from surgery. I am so embarresed to ask the nurses. What can I do please advise I am single and my Mom is going to help me but I know I am too embarresed to ask her for this please advise someone!!    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 23, 2001)

June 22, 2001
This question is often asked in the chatroom as well as what to bring to the hospital and what to have on hand at home ..... My answer is always the same BABYWIPES (Playtex BabyMagic in the yellow box are soft and have a really nice scent) People often suggest wrapping them around salad tongs or a wooden spoon if you cant "reach". At 6 months post I still use them and bring them with me when I go out just in case. Babywipes are also great for washing up in the hospital before you can take a shower. Best wishes...
   — darcieleigh

June 22, 2001
Here's an option: get over it. Not being able to ask for help is sometimes a problem for the prideful. The truth is, nobody cares about what your bottom looks like or the fact that you can't reach it. Nurse's aides clean other peoples bottoms all day long. It is part of their job. What they will care about is if you would rather have poor hygiene than ask for help. I am all for independence, but knowing that you are surrounded by people who will gladly help is a good thing. Good Luck~!
   — merri B.

June 23, 2001
I used tongs in the hospital and initially when I got home. Before surgery I was able to clean myself without this apparatus, but post op I was not able to bend and reach. I would recommend this. It is really inexpensive. Some people recommend baby wipes but I just used toilet paper and felt incredibly clean. I understand your wanting to maintain your independence and this will help you do that. However, if at any time you need help, plese ask for it.
   — Shelley.

June 23, 2001
I am still pre-op but I plan to use the baby wipes and tongs if necessary but also have a few empty water bottles stashed under the sink...the kind with the pop top...plan to fill it with nice warm water and squirt ...squirt...squirt! Much cheaper than buying a bidet.
   — Diane Z.

June 23, 2001
Cottonelle makes a wipe that is not for babies. Is is soft, durable, and FLUSHABLE (unlike most baby wipes). Kimberly Clark, the Kleenex people, are supposed to be coming out this summer (2001)with a Cottonelle moist wipe on a roll/container that fits over the regular toilet roller on top of the usual dry roll. We may start seeing those more frequently in the near future. For now, the Cottonelle wipes in the box are usually found near the toilet paper.
   — [Anonymous]

June 23, 2001
I had the same problem pre-op. I had to buy a shower massager with the long hose on it and hop in the shower after every BM (ugh). Yes, it is embarrassing. And, I used lots of the Cottenelle (sp?) wipes. After about 4-6 weeks I could finally clean myself like I used to.
   — Betty Todd

June 29, 2001
I know this will sound very peculiar, but desperate situations call for desperate solutions! In a defiant act of determination to "wipe my own hinny", I went on a search in my house for something, anything, I could use to attach toilet paper to, or feminine wipes, and take care of matters myself. You'll never believe what I found, and it works great! A regular old small tension rod you use to hang curtains. If you pull off the rubber end, there is a little metal coil you can pull out a little and attach the paper product to. Also, my purse is big enough so I can take it with me and use public restrooms with confidence.
   — victoriandove