If I can't reach behind my back after surgery, how will I be able to use toilet paper? This is actually very worrisome!

[Zindolo]

Well, this is embarrassing! But I am scheduled to have open heart surgery on Tuesday so I was reading about it, and it says you can't reach behind your back for a few weeks afterwards. How am I going to use TP after taking a dump then? I'm single and alone so there is nobody I could ask for help with this. Any suggestions will be most appreciated! I don't think I could do it by going between my legs, but then I guess I've never had any reason to attempt that before...

[080311]

Hi, I had open heart surgery and didn’t have a problem wasn’t told not to reach behind me, only told no arms above my head no pull or pushing movements like ironing, hoovering or mowing the lawn, and no lifting anything heavier than half a kettle of water. I was wiping myself the first time after surgery no problem.

Good luck with your upcoming op have a great recovery.

Best wishes Pauline

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Totally agree with Pauline. In fact most people don't go for a few days. Morphine and other strong painkillers causing constipation. If offered laxatives I found Senna has a gentler action than Movicol (🏃‍♂️ to 🚽)!

[funnyfennel]

So glad you said this Zindolo as I was also anxious about it... at least we will have a few days without that chore !!...Good luck on Tuesday, I have not got a date yet...

[Hidden]

Was five days after my bypass before I first went and wiping was no problem. I took senna too and it helped. Only time I got caught out reaching behind when it hurt was turning off a light and that was because I really stretched my arm back without thinking. Good luck on Tuesday, hope all goes well.

[IrisCarter]

I was worried about the same thing! I had my OHS in June and it wasn’t a problem at all. The real problem was constipation which I suffer from without the added burden or surgery and opiods. I took all the laxatives I was offered which helped. Then I had an episode of AF and was given magnesium which gave me the opposite problem.

[MountainGoat52]

Indeed it was the same for me. No problem. You will probably be asked if you "have been". Take the senna if offered as the codeine will have the opposite effect. 😯

[MDR1]

I am so glad someone was brave enough to ask this question! I am due to have an ICD fitted and am not allowed to lift my arm above shoulder level, and am worried about the same thing.

[Ianc2]

Agree with all these posts. I only had problems with my ablutions after a car crash which turned my right wrist into a 'A bag of crisps that has been hit with a hammer', according to the surgeon. Don't worry, just take your time and eat plenty of fibre.

[Mikedabike]

I can sympathise and see how this can be a very worrying problem. After open heart surgery I found the main problem, and far more difficult to deal with over the first few days was horrible constipation due to the drugs. I don’t recall any problems once I was actually able to ‘go’.

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I had a transplant in July, I am also single and live alone, most people are constipated after there operation due to the painkillers, morphine in particular, and usually need laxatives, which will be a few days later, by then you will have been up and about, the physio will make sure of that 😀and you should be fine with all personal care, I could have a shower and wash my hair on my own not long after, I hope this eases your mind a bit, all the nurses are fab and if you do need help with anything they will treat you with dignity and respect, honestly they don't make a fuss about anything,they just tell you it's there job to take care and help with anything, I wish you well with the op and I am sure you will be fine, if there is anything you think I could help with, please message me, take care char

[TheBearB55]

Not sure if this is helpful, but if your shower is near your toilet, would you find it easier to wash rather than wipe? You could probably hold the shower head in such a way as to not bend your arm too sharply - i hope i'm explaining this well enough.

I've travelled in Asia a lot and most toilets have what I term "bum washers" - I almost never use tissues when there.

Best of luck with your surgery.

[Sprinterknot]

Hello. I have Arthritis too many years. Bio-Bidet a toilet seat that goes on your loo. Electric power and water. The seat must come from a Norfolk based company(careful) at the cost its well worth the money. On the short term a powered camping shower, which I use when a day or two away, can worker you. A long stick ??

[Fluffybee in reply to Sprinterknot]

Sprinterknot

May I ask why you think such an item would come from Norfolk 😂😂😂 being s Norfolk Gal myself I’d answer carefully 😂😂😂

[Alison_L in reply to Fluffybee]

Bio Bidet are a US company based near Chicago, but the UK sole distributor is PDS Hygiene in Norwich. Looks as though they supply to other UK companies though, so you don't have to order from Norfolk!

[Sprinterknot in reply to Fluffybee]

Hello, a good question. In this day we have fakes. I managed to buy one, opps. The guy PDS UK sole distributor. please check its the Norwich based company. I am on the third of these BBC Young designers winning pieces. Love them.

[Handel]

Hi Zindolo. That's a very good question.

My hubby had to 'go' before he left hospital (he was told not to flush because they wanted to check he was telling the truth!!!). He had a quad bypass a couple of years ago.

There was no mention of not being able to reach behind for a few seconds to wipe and he managed that task once a day.

If you're on codeine or morphine for pain, you'll get a bit constipated! Hubby managed pain with paracetamol every now and again but was sent home with a rather good liquid laxative so he didn't need to 'strain'!

All the very best to you xxxx

[Ria31]

Never wipe by going between your legs! It is possible, unfortunately, and one of the causes of urine infections, as people age and take the short cut because they find it hard to reach the normal way.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Ria31]

(Oh I cannot believe I'm about to post on this topic!)

Ahem. The real problem with 'going in from the front' after a solid waste evacuation is if the wipe isn't dropped into the bowl before bringing the hand back forward.

I'm female and was taught from the very beginning (not that I recall 'training' but I do remember the reminders as I got older) to: Wipe front to back ONLY. Easy enough habit to get into, to wipe and drop without bringing the wipe forward to avoid possible minute contamination.

[Qualipop]

I saw a gadget in a magazine the other day like a curved plastic rod that you wrap Toilet paper round one end and it releases it without touching it- specially designed for those who can't reach behind. Google it by toilet wiper or bottom wiper

[LBCdance]

Any chance of getting hold of a bidet? Is there anyone at the hospital/your surgery who could help or suggest, too much to hope I expect that there is an occupational therapist around. This question must come up. Disposable incontinent pants? Good luck anyway, and hope you'll soon be feeling much better.

[Zindolo in reply to LBCdance]

Actually I have wondered about getting a bidet for a while now, but I live in an apartment and never tried to actually buy one. Now I wish I had; the operation is in 2 days, Election Day here. Hopefully I'll wake up with a new valve AND a new president-elect on Wednesday! Most people consider anybody who still supports Trump to be a bit daft at this point.

[Alison_L in reply to Zindolo]

Bidet/Biden - it's a sign. Get both

[LBCdance in reply to Alison_L]

Loved that connection! I know we are not supposed to be political but I know who I would like to see go down the pan!

[Sunnie2day in reply to Zindolo]

Less costly to have a 'peripheral sprayer' fitted - easy to reach as it sits in a conveniently placed holster along side the lav roll holder.You could have it done while you're still in hospital if you have a trustworthy friend who will be there while the plumber is.

Any plumber can fit one for you at far less cost than a bidet - it goes into the inlet on your existing WC, takes about a half-hour to fit.

How do I know this? I had a catastrophic fall in March 2016 and dislocated or broke everything on my dominant side from fingers to collarbone. The plumber came in, 30 minutes later my troubles (at the WC at least) were over. Drying off after was reasonably easy as well - stand up, one foot up on low footstool, reach front to back with paper towels to dry off with left hand.

(OH MY WORD I cannot believe I am commenting on this topic - somewhere 'up there' my mum is rolling with shock at her youngest daughter even admitting such things must be discussed, lol!)

[LBCdance]

Yes, a bit too close to your op to think of getting a bidet I suppose, but I think they are great and really hygienic. That's on my wish list (what we come to with age!) and it's also on my to-do list to make enquiries about getting one installed. However, if you do get the opportunity to ask somebody in your local surgery, social services or hospital do try them for ideas - the occupational therapists in the old days were so helpful and knowledgeable but I guess that's an obsolete service now. Good luck anyway - unless people have been in that sort of situation themselves they don't always realise how important it is to maintain your personal standards. Best wishes anyway, with the surgery of course. and everything else

[Hidden]

Hi Z,

I understand completely your anxiety about using the TP.

I had back surgery and then heart surgery, luckily I had a surgeon who had back surgery and offered a solution for that problem.

At the risk of not being delicate, if you are right handed, In the front move your equipment with your left hand toward your left thigh, with the right hand full of TP, reach down and back, and wipe forward. I understand this feels unnatural, but it's the only way that works. You'll need to pickup cleaning whips to feel clean, but it gets easier after a week or so.

This is exactly the way it was explained to me, which made life easier, but was hard to get used to.

Good Luck, I'm Rooting for You!

Stay Positive, and You'll do Great!

Dusty 68

[genteel]

I agree with the washing with water comments. More hygienic too.

If you had a splash of poo on your face you wouldn't just wipe it off with toilet paper would you?

Obviously occasionally cannot wash under certain circumstances but using shower (can even get fitted to toilet), or bidet cleansing best if possible. 😊

Good luck, take care.

[Frenchbulldogsx]

I think that of all the things you are worried about that should be the least of them 😂, but best to focus on loo roll especially in this present day as there may not be enough to wipe your bum anyway!

To be honest I never had a problem and like the others have said you don't go for a few days or so anyway.

Good luck with the surgery.