Post-op bathroom hygiene question

Okay--this is embarassing, but I need to know.  I already have a tough time cleaning myself after a BM--I am able to do it, but it involves A LOT of twisting and stretching.  I am concerned about being able to clean myself in the weeks after surgery--I can not imagine that I will be able to twist and stretch without causing pain/problems with my incisions.  How did you all handle this?  Did anyone of you have a tough time before surgery--how did you handle it right after surgery?  I WILL NOT ask my mother or friends to do this, so I have to find a way!  Thanks!

Hey Maddie, I had some twisting to do during my highest weight.  I was concerned about this after surgery, I had open RNY and was still able to do what I needed to do.  Within a few weeks I had lost significant weight that the twisting became less of a problem.  I am fortunate as I am tall and have long arms.  There is a website called amplestuff.com   They might carry some hygiene tools that could be of help. Jeanne

Hi. I had problems even prior to surgery which required lots of twisting and turning. I have short arms. My son says I have T-Rex arm. LOL I got a product called bottom buddy and it was a godsent. It made things so much easier. I used it the whole time when it came and when I was in the hospital. No one had to help me wipe. Now I have lost enough that I don't need it anymore, but I don't know what I would have done without it. Here is the link. http://www.dynamic-living.com/bottom_buddy.htm

HEY MADDIE,         NO SUCH THING AS EMBARRASSING QUESTIONS OR ANSWERS HERE LOL.. .WE HAVE ALL ASKED AND HEARD IT ALL LOL... MAKES ALOT OF SENCE REALLY. I WAS FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I HAD EVEN STARTED MY PERIOD RIGHT BEFORE WLS AND THAT IN ITSELF WAS AWEFUL EVERY MONTH. I HAD GOTTEN TO WHERE MY STOMACH AND FAT WAS SO MUCH THAT TAMPONS WERE JUST ABOUT OUT OF THE QUESTION ANYMORE. AND YES, WIPING WAS NO PICNIC EITHER. BUT I WAS SO HAPPY TO FIND OUT AFTER SURGERY THAT I STILL COULD DO THE BATHROOM DEAL. YES, I WASNT THE FASTEST AND OLYMPIC AT IT LOL BUT DID DO IT. WITH GALLBLADDER MY SISTER HAD THE PLEASURE OF HELPING IN THAT AREA... SO JUST KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED THAT IT WILL WORK OUT. I HAD MINE LAP THOUGH AND DONT KNOW IF YOUR GONNA BE HAVING SUTURES???? HOPE THIS HELPS SOME.. HUGS MARGE PS> WE LOVE ALL QUESTIONS LOL...

The first time in the hospital I refused to ask for help, but the second time (2 weeks later) I succumbed to the nurses help because the soreness and swelling just weren't worth the effort and perceived embarrassment.  It turned out that the nurses were wonderful and I shouldn't have ever felt embarrassed. Once I got home I was stubborn and wouldn't ever ask a family member for help, but thankfully I have this amazing hand held shower head that worked well.  Its from oxygenics and has a smallish head that is really powerful and easy to um position in the proper region, so each time I had a BM I hopped (well, groaned and slowly climbed) into the shower and just sprayed off in that area.  I didn't even take off bra or worry about dressings because I just sprayed the lower half.  And yes, I was starting to have problems reaching before surgery, short short short with short stubby arms.   My hospital also provided a peri bottle, but it wasn't much help with BMs, not enough water or power and I just ended up spraying water everywhere.  I did take wet wipes to the hospital, and that made it easier on whoever was helping me as well as just felt refreshing.  Here is the link to the best shower head ever! http://www.oxygenics.com/bodyspa-shower.php Best of luck!  Jenn

I know what you are going through!  This is happening to me. I use a hand held shower to clean myself off.  I WOULD NOT ask my husband!!  Whats funny is that this is one of my goal's..to go to the bathroom without any help.  We need to keep going, things will get better!!!

Don't be embarrassed.  I too was concerned about this.  I was not able to clean myself after surgery.  My mother had to do it for me.  She said she cleaned me when I was a baby, and I'm still her baby.  To make matters worse, I developed diarrhea while in the hospital from the barium they gave to me to test for leaks.  So now its 4am, and I have to go.  My mother was back in the hotel sound asleep, I had no choice but to ask for help from the nurse.  I apologized.  The nurses was so nice about it and really it was not a big deal to them.  I am home now, and still having problems, so I also use the shower to clean or I can clean myself laying down on my stomach in bed.  Bring baby wipes with you.  Some people suggested using a wooden spoon, but that didn't help me either. 

HI THERE GET YOURSELF A PAIR OF LONG-HANDLED TONGS AND BABY WIPES. WORKS MIRACLES