Can’t bend after surgery, how do I keep clean?

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I’m due to have surgery soon which will prevent me from bending, twisting and lifting my arms up. This will be for six weeks plus I won’t be able to shower for at least a week! How on earth do I keep myself clean, smelling fresh and every part hygienic? I am going to be very limited in movement and I wonder how I will cope with dressing, personal hygiene.

Have you got a hand held shower that you can squirt around your bottom . You can buy a long handled sponge, raised toilet seat, portable bidet that fits over the loo. Baby wipes, can you lift your arms enough to wash your undy arms? With dressing, cardigans, anything that has no zips like pull on trousers or skirt, slip around nighties and loose leggings. Flip flops. Battery toothbrush. Long handled comb or hairbrush. Get a haircut pre OP. Is there anyone at home to help. What will you do about shopping and cooking, stock up with extra essentials and get deliveries, plenty of ready meals, have you got a microwave.

What part do you need to keep dry?

DH is taking three weeks off work to help with DCs. He will do his best to “cook” meals but I suspect we’ll have lots of ready meals and takeaways!
I can’t shower at all for 7-10 days but after that I’m still totally restricted movement wise for 6 weeks in total. Even going to the toilet or pulling up underwear seems problematic.

Knee length nightie that buttons up, no need for knickers.
If you can the first week give yourself a wash on the loo as suggested.
You can cope seven days with a babywipe wash as long as you can wash your arse.

Thanks everyone. I’m going to definitely order a raised toilet seat, stock up on baby wipes and some of the other things suggested. I’m grateful for any advice.

Try a grabber www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B001EZ3E3U?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 or even two for dressing, holding trousers and knickers down by your feet if you can't bend. Also obviously brilliant for picking things up from the floor or from anywhere where you would need to twist or reach.

Something like this www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071NH42RB?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 is good in a shower if you can't bend.

Agree re haircut - something shorter and easy to manage for a while.

You can dry your feet with a hairdryer - wearing crocs/flipflops in the shower and afterwards will let you keep them clean until you can dry them so you don't have to do that straight away when you're still wet and risk electrocuting yourself!

Use baby wipes for washing or bed bath wipes like these www.amazon.co.uk/Clinell%C2%AE-Moisturising-Rinse-Free-Cleansing-Refreshing/dp/B00U9JTOVS?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 which are a bit bigger so you can do a bigger area.

This www.amazon.co.uk/NRS-Healthcare-F17252-Stocking-Eligible/dp/B00A7UL5ZC?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 sort of thing is good for socks.

Good luck!

Dry shampoo for your hair.

Front fastening bra, long skirt, thin strap cami (step into it rather than over the head) cardigan, flip flops or crocs

shampoo caps are nicer than dry shampoo

Also, this grabber www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07G3Y75RG?tag=mumsnetforu03-21, although not as good at gripping as the first one I linked to, is handy as a second grabber because it bends. That means you can effectively make it shorter if you need to.

Last year I got some huge towel size wet wipes from Home Bargains in their 'festival' section - it might be a bit early for them yet but you may be able to get them elsewhere. They were huge and a good alternative to campsite showers!

www.completecareshop.co.uk/bathing-aids/

I had exactly those restrictions with spinal cord stimulator implantation.

Washing was fine. Hair washing I bought an inflatable thing on amazon that sits on the bed and you rest your head in it.

After a week I could shower so all fine. Dressing I sat down and lifted my leg up to my hands.

It really wasn't as difficult as I had feared.

Thanks to everyone for the brilliant suggestions. Mumsnet never fails!!
After reading the previous ideas, I’ve added more items to my Amazon shopping list.
I think I’ll also get an online food shop set up to cover each week otherwise DH will go to Tesco, buy himself a golf/car magazine, milk and rich tea biscuits and assume that he’s done a family shop😂

Little , I hope you don’t mind but I’ve just messaged you.

Have you seen occupational therapy? They may be able to help. You may be able to access them pre or post surgery as an inpatient, looking at adaptations to support daily living tasks is their remit...

When I've been really ill and unable to wash I've tied hair up straight away so I don't touch it and make it greasy
Change clothes as often as possible (nighties)

I used Johnson's baby top to toe wipes
I also made sure I got the bed made and sat on top of it ASAP in the am. Used a blanket during day instead of duvet and blinds open etc to make sure I got day light and didn't get depressed
Baby wipes only on toilet don't use toilet roll so you are always fresh
Then can someone wash you once you can get wet xxx

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00CBD8YP2/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21

I bought this and the shampoo after a stay in hospital and struggled with washing. I keep them in a hospital bag should I ever be ill again.

I've tried them both out and they are excellent.

Try not to worry, get some dry shampoo for when you can't shower though, and good deodorant

This is what I used to wash my hair. Worked really well. Only needed for a week until I could shower.

Homecraft Deluxe Inflatable Hair Washing Basin, Shampoo and Conditioner Basin, Wash Hair in Bed, For Injured, Elderly, Bed-Bound, Bedridden, Disabled, Handicapped, Easily Clean Hair, Assistive Aid www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0056PQQZC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_e6rPCb1B1G284?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

OP can social services help? Hope it goes well for you. LittleChristmasMouse I am waiting for a DRGS implant (like SCS but goes on nerve root) and already worrying as I'm severely sight impaired and live alone.

PauciloquentBumfuzzle

Honestly, it was really fine.

Had it done under sedation as a day case. Took tramadol regularly for 3 days post op pain and then co codamol after that.

Washing, toileting was fine and independent. I needed slight help putting my feet into underwear and trousers until I mastered using a grabber.

Had my husband at home for 4 days and then managed alone while he was at work, though put everything I might need at waist height.

I had a very quick straightforward recovery and it has worked really well.

Back doing pilates and yoga by 8 weeks post op. Literally the best thing I've done.

I'm an occupational therapist and would suggest you ask to see one at the hospital who should ensure that all the necessary equipment you need at home is there for when you get out e.g. toilet frames with raised seat , bathbords etc they will also advise on washing etc