1. crouching down with my weight on my feet (on the toilet seat) and thus my ass an inch or two above the opening made the dumping much easier. Not less painful, save that it was so much faster, but very much easier. I remembered this being mentioned in my std medic training, and discussed between Ro and John. Much to be said for that.
2. It’s been damn near a week since my surgery, and the toilet paper is still coming away covered in blood from my gentle post-dump dabbing. Is this normal? Shouldn’t I be seeing more progress on the recovery by now? I’m going to call my surgeon about it tomorrow, but I’d like to hear what y’all have to say.
I can only hope that this journal soon goes back to being less scatalogical and more polwonkish soon.
Why are you using toilet paper and not one of the many wet-wipe solutions?
I was specifically told by the nurse that tucks were a bad idea because the witchhazel therein would dry the recovering areas out. I’d think most wet wipes would contain rubbing alcohol, or some similar substance which would produce the same problem. But, I haven’t looked at the baby buttwipe market the way a parent would, is there a commercial solution to my woes? =)
The Pampers Sensitive wipes come with no alcohol and aloe, but the drawback is that they’re not flushable.
Luckily, the market for people with haemmroids and incontinence is thriving.
http://www.cottonelle.com/moist/folded.asp
Aloe, vitamin E, no alcohol, flushable.
This is the way it’s supposed to be done, you know
So most of us raised in the West don’t know it, but this is actually the way it’s done (and probably supposed to be done). There’s lots of good info (and a marketable product) over at http://www.naturesplatform.com/
Re: This is the way it’s supposed to be done, you know
Yeah, Ro and John were talking about this being the way it’s done in other countries (Africa and East Asia, in particular, as I recall). The product is pretty cool, but $132 seems a little steep. Plus, the space consumption in an already constrained area could present problems. Still, neat, and thanks. =)
Re: This is the way it’s supposed to be done, you know
Definitely done in China, though I’ve never tried. I’m not sure what one would do with pants, etc… and avoid splash. I’m not sure you do, to be honest. And the fact that in any public area in China it’s a ‘bring your own TP’ situation doesn’t help, but that’s another issue.
Of course, that’s from the ‘trench’ style toilet(?) in use there; they’ll also have typical western toilets in most hotels.
Re: This is the way it’s supposed to be done, you know
Misunderstanding the process, I’d initially tried to basically do a fetal position on the seat, weight still resting on my butt, but that is different, and makes things no-better-possibly-worse. =)
I don’t remember how long that particular little side-effect lasted. Definitely ask your surgeon, but I don’t think it’s anything abnormal…unless the bleeding is getting worse.
Nah, it’s staying about the same, but the pain and general unpleasant-nes factor today was the lowest it’s it’s been since before surgery, so complain I shall not.
Hooray! You’re on the road to recovery, my friend. Here’s to your ass. 🙂
Most of the advice I’d give you has already been covered in the comments above. I did not have those problems with Metamucil, but I put far more junk into my body than you do 🙂 It works great to that end, though you way want to look into these Fiber Choice Vitamin C orange flavored tablets I see everywhere now.
Fiber, fruits, or whatever stuff that’s easy to digest and assists in that particular function. I’m sure drinking lots of water helps too.
Re: the blood.. I don’t know when exactly you had it done, but the first 7-10 days is the worst. Basically that area has a lot of scar tissue/abrasions both from the intrusion and the actual procedure. That all gets “shedded” as your body produces fresh tissue, which is what you’re probably seeing. It’s not as tidy as .. say.. skinning one’s knee 🙂
Good luck!