Question:
I need help with how to do my pre op preperation .
OK WHEN YOU ARE BIG AS ME AND CAN'T WIPE MY OWN BUTT, WITH OUT HELP OF SOME KIND, HOW DOES A DOCTOR EXPECT YOU TO GIVE YOURSELF TWO EMEMAS, AND THIS IS NOT AN OPTION IT HAS TO BE DONE, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTION ON THIS TOPIC. SORRY TO ASK AND IT IS REALLY IMPRESSING, AND NO I WON'T ASK A FAMILY MEMBER FOR HELP. — [Anonymous] (posted on November 24, 2001)
November 23, 2001
Try not to feel embarrassed about addressing this to your Doctor. Part of
this is why you are having this surgery. I'd suggest you talk to him and I
think you'd be surprised in knowing he's probably heard this before and can
give you an answer. I'm not a nurse but I suspect that there are other
options for bowel cleansing. I think its magnesium citrate (which tastes
nasty) (do not quote me on the name) but perhaps he could have you use this
or another oral prep to assist you with this. Another option might be in
mentioning this would be for him to order a home health aide to help you
with the prep. Best wishes for a successful surgery! Andrea
— AJC750
November 23, 2001
Don't be embarrased. I had the same problem. Before surgery I used this
over the counter stuff called PhospaSoda it's about $1.69 I drank two 1.5
ounce bottles the day before at 6 hour intervals. It will definitely clean
you out so if you do it stay near a bathroom. Good luck.
— sherri W.
November 23, 2001
Yes I would definately ask your physician. I am still pre-op but I KNOW my
surgeon gives us something to drink the night before to clean us out. It is
called golytly or something like that. There DEFINATELY are other ways to
get "cleaned out" besides enemas.
— Kim B.
November 24, 2001
Thanks for all the advice, and Yes, I have to drink magansim not sure of
spelling and still do two ememas at the counseling it was said this is not
an opion if you don't do it and when he opens you up and your not clean out
he wil sew you right back up. I hope that I can find a way. Thanks for all
the advice.
— [Anonymous]
November 24, 2001
I am pre op and when I asked my surgeon about clean out procedure he
replied "I am not operating on your colon!" He does want nothing
by mouth from "midnight".
Another surgeon suggests clean because "it's easier to go to
bathroom".
A friend geasted on pizza the night before surgery - and got impacted
bowel - nurse had to dig!
So - I intend to eat very lightly the day before and take maybe 3 or 4
magnesium tablets -
— charlene M.
November 24, 2001
I hate to say this but your surgeon sounds medievil. I mean, they tell
you, if we open you up and you did not take the enemas we will sew you back
up????????????? My gosh ask him if you have to stand in a corner too?
But, with that said, if he is "MAKING YOU", then I am with the
previous poster, ask for home health care. Good luck, I am 62BMI and I
know how ya feel. Good for you for doing this!
— [Anonymous]
November 24, 2001
Hello, every doctor is different on this issue. I was to take one bottle
of Magnesium Citrate at 3pm the day before. I was clean by morning,
nothing else to do! I am also too big to wipe myself and fretted over this
issue. While in the hospital I just bit the bullet and let the nursing
staff wipe me. I wanted to feel clean. When I arrived home I still could
not wipe myself. I could feel my bowels a moving and knew that it was a
matter of time. I have both my mother and my husband here and they did it
without question or comment. On day 8 post op (I dont know if I have lost
enough already but) I was able to reach all the way back from the front
side by myself. This was at best difficult to do pre surgery. I still
have my 35 staples and a drain in and I did it. I have thought of what
others have said about a large wooden spoon or a BBG tongs, but that seemed
like too much work to me! Good luck and speedy recovery to you!!!!!
— Pamela W.
November 24, 2001
I was fortunate in that I was able to wipe myself, however, it was
suggested on a web page that I read that you use a long handled spoon and
wrap toilet paper around it to do that little deed. My Dr. prescribed
clear liquids, only, the day before and a Fleet prep, which consisted of a
bottle of nasty stuff to drink at 4:00 p.m. day prior, taking 4 pills at
bedtime and then using a suppository one hour before leaving for hospital.
I did constant bathroom duty from about 5:00 until bedtime, and the pills
and suppository finished cleaning me out. It was also suggested to me that
I might want to buy a couple of those dishwashing sponges on a stick to
clean myself after surgery. I did put a long handled wooden spoon in my
bathroom at home, but did not have to use it.
— [Anonymous]
November 24, 2001
I have to drink a bottle of Magnesium (sp?) Citrate at 10:00am the day
before my surgery (surgery date 11/28/01) then just clear fluids all day,
nothing after midnite. My surgery is for 8:00am. I also have the problem
of wiping myself, and have had the problem for a while now. What I have
been doing is to take an old toothbrush and wrap toilet paper around the
brush end, and use that to wipe with. I can't wait until I don't have to
do that anymore.
— Nancy R.
April 14, 2002
I also have a problem with reaching my behind, I am still waiting for my
consultaion visit/seminar I am required to attend for WLS. I got a
removable bidet for my toilet, it sprays a refresing water stream to clean
me up. I ordered it from the internet for about $90. I thought I was the
only one having probs reaching, I figured it was in part due to my
arthritis as well as my weight.
— blank first name B.
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