Going to the bathroom after GCS

[Kasumi63]

Hi, I know this is a silly question, but I’m worried about this. I just had the catheter removed a couple of weeks after GCS, and I’m worried about going to the bathroom now. Rather, I’m worried about how to keep everything clean and sanitized down there, especially since the wounds aren’t complete healed. Is spraying with water best? Or just a quick wipe? Sorry for such a silly question, but I’m sincerely worried. Don’t want any infections. Is disinfectant needed?

[Stefi]

That's a good question. I have no clue. Something we need to learn I guess. First time I sat to pee in a full dress, I had dress all over the place and almost dropped it in the toilet.

 

Stefi 

[VickySGV]

I learned the value of simply blotting myself with a wad of toilet paper right after taking a leak.  I also carried a cheap wash cloth in a baggie which I used to wipe off the area. With clear water and care, it was fine.   You will be wearing sanitary pads for the first 6 to 12 weeks after surgery, and changing those will also help.  Another feature is that the water soluble lube you use for dilation actually helps to protect the area as well, so it is no big deal.  My Gynecologist had me taking sitz baths once or twice a day which were simply sitting in a tub with water just deep enough to cover your stretched out legs, and swirling the water into your new anatomy.  My rule was to just make it clean clear water with no salts or soap, just rinse things off.

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, Kasumi63 said:

Is spraying with water best? Or just a quick wipe?

I do both. I bought a tiny spray bottle for home use. I change the (distilled) water in this daily. The first month after surgery, I used it religiously and it was like a portable bidet. Then as @VickySGV mentioned...”simply blotting myself with a wad of toilet paper right after taking a leak.” 

 

I always carry wet wipes in my purse for when I’m out and about which these days is not too often.

 

I also wear ‘pure cotton’ (my personal preference) pads during the day to keep the area dry. I was told by my surgeon...dryness promotes faster healing and reduces infection transmission. It’s been a few months now so I wear the smallest size pads at this point.

 

This is my regimen and I am very cautious, clean and try to avoid any chance of infections down there.

 

Susan R?

[VickySGV]

1 hour ago, Susan R said:

This is my regimen and I am very cautious, clean and try to avoid any chance of infections down there.

Line up a Gynecologist that you will be going to after you get home, and ANY sign of discomfort or irregularity, see them without any foot dragging.  The problems we can get in those first weeks are yeast and bacterial infections that happen to women and respond well to medications if they are quickly treated.   

[Kasumi63]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful. It also helps that I’m living in toilet heaven, where most toilets are equipped with a bidet. I’ll just have to be careful about keeping things dry.