Newbie w/questions on bath needs

[Hope810]

Hello all. I'm new. Age 57, female. My TKA knee surgery (left) is scheduled for Feb 23 with the right knee planned for this summer. I've been reading the posts for a few days. Thanks for all the information. I just saw my doctor for pre-op physical today and got the all clear. I've been told to buy a toilet seat riser and bath bench. Any suggestions. Arms or no arms? ...Hope810

 

[Buckeye]

Dear Hope,

Welcome to the forum! You will learn so much here. I am fairly new also.
I had a RTKR on December 11. I am also a 57 year old female.
I am about 7 weeks post op now and doing fairly well.
Here is what I used for the potty and shower: I actually bought a toilet seat
riser for $19.99 from a local medical supply store before my surgery. (It was just a one piece deal made out of hard plastic with no arms. It fits right on top of your current toilet seat).
However, when I was in the hospital, a portable toilet seat riser with arms was sent to my room for me to use while I was there. It really worked out well for me. It fits right over the toilet and the arms make it easier to get yourself up and off the seat. It also has adjustable legs. I even used it in the shower as a shower chair while I was in the hospital. I decided to purchase one at the hospital so I wouldn't have to worry about that when I returned home. I just found out that my insurance didn't cover that, so make sure you check that out.

Best wishes to you on your upcoming surgery.
Kathy

 

[Jamie]

Hope, welcome to the BoneSmart forum. So glad you found us. You'll find lots of support here both before and after your surgeries.

In my case, I opted to get a very small triangular seat for the shower so that I could put my leg up for shaving (I always wanted one for that anyway). It was easier for me to stand in the shower. Not everyone might feel that way, though.

As for the toilet, I preferred to use my walker as bracing to get up and down. Not getting a raised seat actually gave me the ability to use the toilet as an exercise tool for my knee. I have good upper body strength, though, so if you don't this might not work as well. When I first began using the toilet after surgery, I could use the walker and my arms to lower myself using only my good leg. My surgery leg stayed straight. Then as more time passed, I would increasingly bend my new knee to sit down. I liked it better than having the raised seat. But I think I'm pretty much in the minority with this on the forum. Most people opt for a raised seat.

 

[aussie]

Welcome Hope and good luck for your surgery and recovery.

Because I am a shorty, I didn't need a raised toilet seat and my knee was very strong underneath me from the start, I only used a cane for the first week, (I was very lucky). I did need a shower seat though, again I was lucky and had inherited my mother in laws shower chair but in hospital they just had a plastic garden chair in the shower and it worked just fine. I did need a chair because even though my knee was very strong underneath me, for a while even showering was exhausting.

Best wishes
Chris

 

[maggy]

Welcome Hope. It's so good that you found Bonesmart. It's a very valuable resource and support...so many wonderfully helpful people who've been through this and are willing to share their knowledge and give support.

I had my surgery on Jan. 6 and have just turned 58. Here's what I've found. I use a raised toilet seat (I'm 5'5") and I'd definitely get one with arms. I borrowed a set of arms that you can attach separately and found them a lifesaver at night and first thing in the morning when your leg is at its worst. I am was/am able to use a regular toilet if I'm out though.

I have a walk-in shower stall so I didn't need the shower seat at all. If you have a tub it might be different. Wait until you shower in the hospital and then you'll have a better idea what you will need. You can rent them, at least in Canada they're readliy available and I assume it's the same in the U.S.

A long-handled shower brush and shoehorn and a couple of those gel-type freezer packs and you're good to go. Oh, and lots of pillows for the endless job of trying to get comfortable.

All the best, I'm sure we'll hear from you,
Mag

 

[Josephine]

Hi, Hope, and welcome to BoneSmart! Seems, like me, you're being sensible and getting organised before hand! I seem to be on an endless shopping quest for bits and bobs to keep things 'nice'! I've actually splurged out on a CryoCuff applicance - got mine from Ebay - but I'm hoping I won't acutally need too much use of it!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Ohhhhhhhhhh Jo,
Good luck with that thought. I and my ice-er have become quite a item!!!
I pity the person who might try to come between us!!!! LOL
^i^

 

[calling_all_angels]

Welcome to BoneSmart Hope,
Every one here is so great when it comes to answering questions!!
I do not have any answers of yet I am still learning. But I think that
sometimes I drive them all crazy with my questions
^i^

 

[Josephine]

You are just fine with your questions, angel!
I dearly love your enthusiasm and your funny little icon! ^i^ - what does it mean!

 

[Jamie]

Welcome to BoneSmart Hope,
Every one here is so great when it comes to answering questions!!
I do not have any answers of yet I am still learning. But I think that
sometimes I drive them all crazy with my questions
^i^

NEVER, Calling!!! Questions are a good thing. Information is power!!!

 

[JudyS]

welcome Hope

I am a hipppy but did love my toilet raisers. They fit on the toilet and mine both had handles.

I borrowed them from our local Convalescent Aid Society. They loan everything indefinately up to hospital beds. See if there is something like that near you. I found out about it at the hospital joint replacement class.

As a matter of fact I just had spine surgery and had my husband borrow the toilet raisers again. He really liked them too. He wanted to borrow them when I had arthroscopic knee surgery!!!!
That and my reacher grabber are the best things.

Good Luck
Judy

 

[calling_all_angels]

Jo,
I guess if you have to ask what ^i^ is then I am not as smart as I thought I was (no big surprise there) I was trying to make a Angel. I can do a kitty too. (see this way if I tell you what it is you will see it LOL)ready? here comes kitty!!!!
=^..^=

Thats my kitty.
^i^

 

[Lou-B]

Hi
Ditto to all said......I to am fairly new to this forum also and I have found it to be a great support. I am a 53 yr old 5' 3" female and I had my TKR Oct 15.

Having the adjustable toilet seat with arms was a tremendous help for me! I would recommend it.
I didn't use a bench in the shower, just my walker. But I did purchase a shower head that could also be hand held......with adjustable water massage. Found that to be helpful and also felt good on my incision.

Also, I was able to borrow a second walker. Having two, one upstairs and one downstairs enabled me added freedom without having to have someone help me carry a walker downstairs.

Good luck on the upcoming surgery.

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Lou-B

Callilng the kitty is adorable

Judy

 

[Judles]

If you're taking a survey,,,!!!I vote for the toilet seat WITH arms! Those first few weeks are exhausting and you will only be too happy to get extra stability and support from the armed version! Also, most importantly, while we're on the subject,,,,,do NOT forget your stool softeners! Trust ne on that one! Good luck!

 

[Pookerbear]

Jo, I'm surprised you don't recognize Calling_All_Angels' icon of...yep, and Angel with wings!

As for all you people showering in the hospital, all I can say is LUCKY YOU! I don't know if it differs country to country or if I just had a sadistic surgeon, but I wasn't allowed to shower until 24 hours after my staples came out! Yep, two weeks of sponge baths. I think my first shower I exhausted all the hot water and still hated to finish! My home health PT taught me how to get in and out of my shower (for when the time came), and the one thing everyone insisted upon was one of those grab bars to hold on to while in the shower. Fortunately, I already had one from the previous owner. I have a tub/shower combination, and frankly, a shower seat would not fit very well in the tub. I had talked with the occupational and physical therapists, and the concensus was that it probably was not necessary...and it wasn't. I found my new knee was incredibly stable standing, even when I could not walk on it unassisted by walker or cane.

Personally, I'd opt for the raised seat on the toilet, with arms if possible, or a vanity or walker or something nearby to assist standing and balance initially. I was able to use the vanity next to the toilet to help me stand at first, and then one day I realized I'd been standing up without leaning on anything! Love those small accomplishments

Go with your instincts...if you are in otherwise great shape, you may be able to forego some of the temporary aids like shower seats (but definitely get/use a secure grab bar!), but if you question your balance, leg strength, or upper body strength, look into what durable devices would best assist you in your recovery.

Good luck with your surgery, and please keep us all posted on how you're doing!

 

[Pookerbear]

Amen, Judles!! I'll second the stool softeners...

 

[kanoneli]

Hi Hope! I am not sure of the brand, but I have a toilet seat that attaches right to the toilet, and has arms. I THINK I bought it at KMart a few years back...The arms are great for getting up and dowm from a sitting position. Definitely get a seat for the shower. I am 14 days post op and I love sitting in my chair under that hot shower...it would not be nearly as pleasant if I had to stand the whole time! Good luck...you'll learn alot here!

I just looked and my toilet seat riser is made by Rubbermaid...it's not free standing, it attaches right to the toilet bowl and has arms!

 

[Jamie]

Pooker....I'm in your category. My surgeon would not allow showering until the staples came out. Ugh!!!

 

[Josephine]

Jo,
I guess if you have to ask what ^i^ is then I am not as smart as I thought I was (no big surprise there) I was trying to make a Angel. I can do a kitty too. (see this way if I tell you what it is you will see it LOL)ready? here comes kitty!!!!
=^..^=

Thats my kitty.
^i^

Of course!! How stupid of me! I have seen them but not a lot. One person added ( ) to her kitty to make the face. Must see if I can find it. They are really cute!

Pooker....I'm in your category. My surgeon would not allow showering until the staples came out. Ugh!!!

Don't be too hard on him - it's only because he worried about you getting an infection.