Toilet reacher thingie question

[Guest guest]

I can't believe I'm going to ask this but better to ask now than be stuck

without needed items later!

There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies. I

have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding device. Are

there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular models? Also

heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but embarrassing to

explain.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dawna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/27/01 11:37:22 PM Eastern Standard Time,

DawnaJoy1@... writes:

<<

There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies. I

have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding device. Are

there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular models? Also

heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but embarrassing to

explain.

>>

DJ,i used the wooden spoon thingy......worked fine for me. and now i use it

to stir the gravy......a win/win situation ;-))

joe d

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/27/2001 10:37:23 PM Central Standard Time,

DawnaJoy1@... writes:

<< There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies. >>

I was switched on 2/28 and since I had no problems reaching pre-op, I was not

planning on needing a " reacher " post op. There was a suggestion that I had

read about, though, that you use Kleenex Cottonelles and curved salad tongs.

A few days before I left for surgery I found myself in an aisle of a store

that had kitchen utensils. I thought " what the heck " and bought the tongs.

THAT WAS THE BEST PURCHASE OF MY LIFE!!!! My surgery was lap and my tummy

was so distended post-op that I couldn't reach anything! I told my husband

that it felt like someone cut off my forearms and re-attached my hands at the

elbows. I would image the incision of the open surgery would probably make

it even worse.

I had a bag (looked like a purse) in the bathroom that I kept the tongs in

(in a plastic bag) along with the Cottenelles. No one every messed with it.

The Cottonelles help keep your bottom from getting sore - and they are

flushable. Your initial " #2's " are like baby poop - mustardy and runny - too

much information? Make sure the tongs are curved and you will be able to

reach everywhere!!!

Hope I didn't gross anyone out! Best of luck to those on their way to

Switchville. It is a WONDERFUL place!

in IL

Dr.

Lap DS 2/28/01

-28 pounds FOREVER

[Guest guest]

Dawns- The wooden spoon is good. You just wrap it with toilet paper. I was

lucky because I had companions that did it for me in the hosp[ital and at

home. Its a little rough for a few weeks but it does get easier. One other

thing. You have to be careful how you wipe. Start at the front of the

behind and work back. You don't want to get andy of the bacteria on your

vaginal area. Pardon me for the graphic terms. Ellen(Pam)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/01 11:42:43 AM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< Dawns- The wooden spoon is good. You just wrap it with toilet paper. I

was

lucky because I had companions that did it for me in the hosp[ital and at

home. Its a little rough for a few weeks but it does get easier. One other

thing. You have to be careful how you wipe. Start at the front of the

behind and work back. You don't want to get andy of the bacteria on your

vaginal area. Pardon me for the graphic terms. Ellen(Pam)

>>

Ellen: I agree that a wooden spoon is just fine. However, I couldn't for

the life of me find a wooden one -- so I got a plastic spatula type thingy.

The cottonelle wipes didn't really stay on, which was annoying, but it did

help me reach back there!

Now, I wasn't sure if I wouldn't be able to wipe myself -- I could pre-op and

didn't have a really high bmi (45). But, believe me - it didn't matter one

bit. It hurt to twist or bend in any way. I was able to wipe from about the

third day post-op, but having that contraption really, really helped in the

first two days!

Another thing I tried to locate in the hospital (but surprisingly, they

didn't have ANY anywheres even though I had my aide try to get one) - is a

plastic squeegie bottle. Since the bms are very liquidy (sorry to be

graphic), I think that having a 'rinse' down there would have been even

better than trying to wipe. So, you may want to bring one of those --- and

spray before you wipe or just 'spray'! ROFL

I mean, if you anticipate that you'll be using it for an extended period of

time, then I'd invest in one of the formal wipers. But, it really, really

isn't so necessary - a spoon does work fine (but a squeegie bottle *may* work

better - didn't have the chance to try it out!).

all the best,

laparoscopic bPD/DS with gallbladder removal

Dr. Gagner/DR. Quinn assisting/Mt. Sinai/NYC

January 25, 2001

62 days post-op and still feelin' fab!

[Guest guest]

Dawna,

I'm glad you were brave enough to ask this question! I was wondering too,

but was to embarrassed to ask yet!

Pre-op

==============================

From: DawnaJoy1@...

Subject: Toilet reacher thingie question

I can't believe I'm going to ask this but better to ask now than be stuck

without needed items later!

There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies. I

have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding device. Are

there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular models? Also

heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but embarrassing to

explain.

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

Dawna

[Guest guest]

At 23:34 -0500 3/27/01, DawnaJoy1@... wrote:

>as anyone used these particular models? Also

>heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but embarrassing to

>explain.

If I were you I wouldn't worry a bit about 'explaining' anything like

a wooden spoon. I would bet the nurses/home health aides have seen it

all!

--stella

[Guest guest]

Hi Dawna,

I was given a wooden spoon with a hole in the middle! A friends who had

" been there " sent it to me in some flowers! LOL the toilet paper was easy to

wrap around it by sticking in the hole first than wrapping it around. It was

a God-send! The funny part was that in the hotel on about day 8 the maid saw

it and threw it out! UHG So off we went the next day to find another. But

that night I actually told the guy running the front desk that it was gone

and he tried to rig something up.(yes I told him what it was for, in

retrospect I can't imagine why I did!) He brought me a scew driver with a

clothes hook put together with a rubber band and paper clip!!! Janice from

this list and my hubby and I died laughing!!! Sooooooooo my advice is bring

two! I thought I would give everyone their laugh for the day!!

Deanna True

02-15-01 Open BPD/DS

Dr. Keshishian

300 lbs./ BMI 49 pre-surgery

262 lbs./ BMI 42 5 weeks post-op

WOW 38 pounds gone forever !!!!!!!

Toilet reacher thingie question

> I can't believe I'm going to ask this but better to ask now than be stuck

> without needed items later!

>

> There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies. I

> have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding device. Are

> there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular models?

Also

> heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but embarrassing

to

> explain.

>

> Advice would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Dawna

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

> I can't believe I'm going to ask this but better to ask now than be

stuck

> without needed items later!

>

> There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher

thingies. I

> have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding

device. Are

> there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular

models? Also

> heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but

embarrassing to

> explain.

>

> Advice would be greatly appreciated.

>

> Dawna

I have the folding thingie. I felt a little silly when I was ordering

it, but I'm so glad I did. I only needed to use it for a few days,

but I'm so glad I had it. I especially appreciated it the first

couple of days after discharge from the hospital. It really would

have been tough leaving the hospital knowing I couldn't wipe myself.

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

For those of you who do not have a supply of Cottenelles nearby for

'gentle' hygeine needs then a spray bottle of water next to the commode to

spray on toilet tissue really helps.

Janice in Texas

Re: Toilet reacher thingie question

> In a message dated 3/27/2001 10:37:23 PM Central Standard Time,

> DawnaJoy1@... writes:

>

> << There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher thingies.

>>

>

> I was switched on 2/28 and since I had no problems reaching pre-op, I was

not

> planning on needing a " reacher " post op. There was a suggestion that I

had

> read about, though, that you use Kleenex Cottonelles and curved salad

tongs.

> A few days before I left for surgery I found myself in an aisle of a store

> that had kitchen utensils. I thought " what the heck " and bought the

tongs.

>

> THAT WAS THE BEST PURCHASE OF MY LIFE!!!! My surgery was lap and my tummy

> was so distended post-op that I couldn't reach anything! I told my

husband

> that it felt like someone cut off my forearms and re-attached my hands at

the

> elbows. I would image the incision of the open surgery would probably

make

> it even worse.

>

> I had a bag (looked like a purse) in the bathroom that I kept the tongs in

> (in a plastic bag) along with the Cottenelles. No one every messed with

it.

> The Cottonelles help keep your bottom from getting sore - and they are

> flushable. Your initial " #2's " are like baby poop - mustardy and runny -

too

> much information? Make sure the tongs are curved and you will be able

to

> reach everywhere!!!

>

> Hope I didn't gross anyone out! Best of luck to those on their way to

> Switchville. It is a WONDERFUL place!

>

> in IL

> Dr.

> Lap DS 2/28/01

> -28 pounds FOREVER

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/28/2001 11:02:55 AM Central Standard Time,

ruisha@... writes:

<< I couldn't for

the life of me find a wooden one -- so I got a plastic spatula type thingy.

The cottonelle wipes didn't really stay on, which was annoying, but it did

help me reach back there! >>

This is why I recommend the curved salad tongs. You grab a little of the

middle of the Cottenelles with the tongs and then each end of the Cottenelles

cover both " grabbers " on the tongs. When you are done wiping, release the

tongs and the Cottenelles go in the toilet. It really works great!!!

in IL

[Guest guest]

-----you description makes me want to run right out & get

the " grabber " tongs & give this a little try--pre-op....lol i would

have never thought of this until I got their & couldnt get the job

done--thanks for the tip--that is what makes this site so great--you

post-ops have been there, done that & are more than willing to share

with us pre-ops--that way our journey is a little bit easier...thank

you so much

ogretta

pre-op & hopeful

may 11, 2001

dr inabnet, mt sinai

In duodenalswitch@y..., posatitude@a... wrote:

> In a message dated 3/28/2001 11:02:55 AM Central Standard Time,

> ruisha@a... writes:

>

> << I couldn't for

> the life of me find a wooden one -- so I got a plastic spatula

type thingy.

> The cottonelle wipes didn't really stay on, which was annoying,

but it did

> help me reach back there! >>

>

> This is why I recommend the curved salad tongs. You grab a little

of the

> middle of the Cottenelles with the tongs and then each end of the

Cottenelles

> cover both " grabbers " on the tongs. When you are done wiping,

release the

> tongs and the Cottenelles go in the toilet. It really works

great!!!

>

> in IL

[Guest guest]

Hi Deanna,

That is the best laugh I had all day.....great idea though and how

totally unhibited of you to tell the front desk guy......liberated

woman...LOL

B

> Hi Dawna,

> I was given a wooden spoon with a hole in the middle! A friends who

had

> " been there " sent it to me in some flowers! LOL the toilet paper

was easy to

> wrap around it by sticking in the hole first than wrapping it

around. It was

> a God-send! The funny part was that in the hotel on about day 8 the

maid saw

> it and threw it out! UHG So off we went the next day to find

another. But

> that night I actually told the guy running the front desk that it

was gone

> and he tried to rig something up.(yes I told him what it was for, in

> retrospect I can't imagine why I did!) He brought me a scew driver

with a

> clothes hook put together with a rubber band and paper clip!!!

Janice from

> this list and my hubby and I died laughing!!! Sooooooooo my advice

is bring

> two! I thought I would give everyone their laugh for the day!!

>

> Deanna True

> 02-15-01 Open BPD/DS

> Dr. Keshishian

> 300 lbs./ BMI 49 pre-surgery

> 262 lbs./ BMI 42 5 weeks post-op

> WOW 38 pounds gone forever !!!!!!!

> Toilet reacher thingie question

>

>

> > I can't believe I'm going to ask this but better to ask now than

be stuck

> > without needed items later!

> >

> > There was a lot of talk awhile back about toiletpaper reacher

thingies. I

> > have a medque website that has both a folding and non-folding

device. Are

> > there any others out there? Has anyone used these particular

models?

> Also

> > heard talk about a wooden spoon, which would be cheaper, but

embarrassing

> to

> > explain.

> >

> > Advice would be greatly appreciated.

> >

> > Dawna

> >

> > ------------------------------------------------------------------

----

> >