I know it wont really be an issue to begin with as i wont care but ive been told i wont be able to shower due to having an overbath shower. i usually shower daily and often twice a day so im worrying about not being able to have one for 6 weeks. Im sure others have the same issue to what do you do?
Hi Helen, I am quite a long way from the actual operation as I only went on my surgeons list a month ago but I too am worried/concerned about showering. I have a large walk in shower thankfully but someone said the Physio may recommend grab rails etc. Having had the whole ensuite refitted last year this does not really appeal but guess it is the least of my worries. I'm sure your Physio will suggest a method as no one these days is content with a wash up and wash down once a day, and what about washing your hair? I will be watching your replies with interest. Sorry I can't be more helpful. It is all these details which are a worry to we Hippys!
you wont have a problem if you speak to occupational health and get a perching stool for your shower. because the stool has rubber feet and handles you will be able to use that for stability and support.
Hi Helen! For the first couple of week's I could not shower till the dressings were removed! But we have been lucky as we have a wet room! Do you have anyone who can wash your legs? Who is looking after you? Regards Amanda
i think its the hair washing that worries me as i need to wash my very fine, thick, straight hair every other day and its going to be grim after just a week. i hate mucky hair
Hi Helen, I am 2 weeks post op and I can manage to get in and out of the bath to shower. I do have grab rails up which I have needed for a while. In my booklet from the Hospital it showed how to get out of the bath properly.
my husband will be looking after me but the thought of needing him to help with personal hygeine makes me want to cry.
Hi Helen! I got dry shampoo! Or have some one into wash your hair! Regards Amanda
Hi , I am 14 weeks post op now so know how you are feeling . I am lucky enough to have a walk in shower which I re fitted last year , I managed to find a modern looking grab handle as I was on list for THR .
Its suprising how clean tou can get yourself using the sink when you have to . I washed my hair using the mixer tap on kitchen sink as I didn't have to bend there . Believe me it is the least of your worries when you are remembering what and what not to do , exercising and resting . Some people on forum have mentioned a bath board . Before you know it you will be on the mend . I will be up at 4 tomorrow to do my first car boot sale and am going on a cruise in 3 weeks and I live alone .
Good luck
keep in touch
mary
ok, thanks folks. i have a bath bench thingy that i think will help so if i can manage with washing and dry shampoo for 2 weeks i should be ok. ive been totally freaking out about this. Cant believe i didnt think to ask here before now. i have a home educated 6 year old to look after too so its going to be a difficult 6/8 weeks
I have the same shower. The first week or two I had all over wash as best I could holding on to sink. Daughter washed my hair me sitting in chair backwards over bath using the shower. Was uncomfortable but had to wash my hair. Once I was able to stand without using crutches, I had a very large square bowl bought from Ikea. I had it on the floor next to the shower end of bath( pushed the shower door back) Stood in it and used the shower over me to wash my hair and wash. Water fell into bowl. Obviously had to make sure it did not fill up to top. Worked for me great until I was able to get leg safely into bath and stand for shower. That did take me probably about 3 months but I had other complications so may not take as long for you to be able to shower normally. The simple things we take for granted. I hope this is useful for you Helen.
Hi Helen
I have an over bath shower and wasn't able to shower for 6 weeks because of that, I had waterproof dressing and glue instead of staples so if I'd had a walk in shower I could have. I was advised at pre op to go to a friends but I didn't have any friends with walk in shower close enough, so I don't think they really grasped the whole thing. I just strip washed for the first 6 weeks and washed my hair over the sink. To be honest, that was the least of my worries, after being in such pain, having to strip wash for a few weeks was nothing. For the first 2 weeks you are still getting over the op so it takes all day to wash, dress, eat and sleep.
Hi Helen
It depends what shape your shower is.
I was able to put a bath board across the bath, sit on it and get my legs over into the bth then stand up holding onto a rail we bought cheaply.
Not for a few weeks but eventually yu will be able to do that.
As for your hair. I had the same problem although mine is shortish.
I get mine cut shampoo and blow dried every four weeks. I managed to fit a couple of extra ones in the 6 weeks {visits to hairdresser} just for shampoo and blow dry. I ased MY hairdresser who was the cheapest one and explained the situation So I had this girl who was cheaper than mine for the shampoos but still went back to my own for cuts and colour.
Another handy thing is a dry shampoo in between times
Another thing I found online was a shampoo that you dont have to used water.....I sat on a chair, my husband squeezed the liquid over my hair then i lathered it and you are supposed to towel it off.....I thought it will never work...not being rinsed out ...but it did and turned out shiney Not as dry as a dry shampoo leaves it.
Hope you get some tips....just see what works for you and dont worry about it.
Eileen UK
Hi Jennifer - you can get suction grab rails which I have used successfully - can recommend having at least one. You must ensure the surface / tiles are clean and check each time you go to use that they are still clamped.
Hello Helen, I had the same problem which meant having to do a stand-up wash for 6 weeks and the bathroom floor got a good soaking as well. Lucky I also had hydrotherapy which meant I could use the shower after being in the pool. Suggest a suction grab bar as an aid and was told by physio to have a non-slip mat in the bath as well. Good luck for wed, I'm 9mths on and never regretted having my right THR.
Regards
Arthur
Hi Helen
The sucton grab bars are the ones I got in Aldi.
Just one suggestion......get your hsband to put them on and every time you need to use them get him to come up and give them a good tug to make sure they are still secure.....thats what my husband did
Eileen
Hi Helen , please dont worry , I had a double hip replacement six weeks ago , hard work but I managed to have a shower four days after op in hospital on my own . I just went real slow and got there after about half an hour and dropping my grabber !! I will admit I was qiute scared but boy I felt good after . Once I got home it was a few days till I felt brave enough to have another . Putting a small towel on the shower floor helped , still a bit scary but each one I have gets less scary . It will definately not be six weeks till you can have one . I got my self a long handled body brush for my feet and lower legs . When I come out I put a spray moisturiser on the brush , Vasaline spray and go is brill . Just make sure you have everything you need in the room before you start . If you have some hand rails on it will make all the difference to you , all the best , Ruth
Hi
you can get a shelf that sits across the bath and then you sit on it and lift your legs just like you are taught to do when getting into bed. All dressings are waterproof so showering is not a problem. Washing hair may need some help to beginwith but I have showered everyday since leaving hospital and washed my hair every other day. You just need some help when drying off unless you use a hair dryer to dry your legs. My husbands help has been invaluable but I would have done the same for him. That's why we love each other "scars and all!"
hi helen,if you know someone with a walk in shower you can use that for first couple of weeks.i kept my wash bag packed and did this twice a week for first 3 weeks.i also strip washed everymorning and night and its suprising how much body you can wash stood at your sink.use kitchen sinkto wash your hair as you dont have to bend so far but you do need someone to do this for you.at night i would soak my feet in a bowl of soapy water,dry off then a bit of talc ....lovely.if you love feeling fresh you will find a way. i am 5 weeks tomorrow and i have a bath board so ican now get in and out of my own shower,a bit scarey at first but was the best feeling in the world the first time i did this .little luxuries we all take for granted.good luck ..
Hi Helen,
The not-being-able to take a shower was also worrying me - I love to take a shower and washing up is not doing it for me .. I live alone, in a very small house - smaal shower stall too - to be honest, after surgery I didn;t mind not taking a shower and splashing water on me was quite enough - then staples were removed after 2 weeks and green light was given - I have a home health lady come in to help me dry my legs but, thanks to my fellow hippies on this forum, I manage to dry my legs and feet by myself - I don;t know about going into the bathtub and then take a shower - I would ask assistance or at least someone close by until you feel confident enough to do it your self ----
When are you having your surgery ???? keep coming back here - such a wonderful support group ... Big hug