Posted , 15 users are following.
Hey guys I'm 6 weeks post op today and miss having baths so much! Just wondering, can I have one now I'm at 6 weeks or do I have to wait for the all clear when I go to my check up?
0 likes, 18 replies
We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.
sarah97675 crawfyx
Posted
Physio gave me a cautious go ahead at six weeks. Get in bath operated leg first and out op leg first. Don't bend down to taps, soap etc. Make sure you have someone at home. I personally wouldn't before go ahead though as I don't know what stage you are at and we are all so different. It is bliss though 😀
dawn19789 crawfyx
Posted
I really wouldn't bother.. sit on a seat or shower.. if you bend too low you will suffer....its really not worth the pain you could end up in. Stick with the shower. X
julie49207 crawfyx
Posted
Hi well done at 6 weeks! Re bath I wouldn't risk it you have come this far wait till your Consultant says yes or no.
I am 8 weeks post RHR sore Consultant last week and was told to use toilet stands etc for at least 2 more months.
I was thinking today that because I feel so much better I am starting to run before I can walk properly so I keep telling myself to pace myself....
Good luck and we'll done x
jacqueline26238 crawfyx
Posted
I would wait until you are given the all clear, if you are still using crutches then you are not ready to get in a bath remember you have to get out ,
take care
kaye26746 crawfyx
Posted
Baths are fabulous aren't they? I've really missed them too. My op info booklet says from about 6 weeks but also suggests that you try getting in and out of an empty bath while dressed first. I'm guessing this is to save embarrassment if we get stuck. I'm 5 weeks post op and am really hoping to manage a relaxing soak in another week or so. I had my first walk on the beach today (hard sand not squishy stuff) and that felt great. It's the little things, isn't it?
elaine23679 crawfyx
Posted
renee01952 crawfyx
Posted
hi crawfyx,
when is your appointment ???
as lovely and tempting as it might be, I wouldn't risk it ...
big warm hug
renee
Guest crawfyx
Posted
Guest crawfyx
Posted
Sorry dont know if I lost last message but here goes. Who the hell knows! In Glasgow we have to wait 12 weeks before we see anyone and then its a nurse. Physio has a 6 month wating list. Private physios do not want to interfere until 12 weeks up. I would continue using bath sureboard untill you're sure.. This should've been supplied bu occupational health.
Rocketman_SG6UK crawfyx
Posted
A bath is much morte complex that a shower - getting in and out requires you to bend your legs considerably, and then there's the danger of a slip
Personally I would wait for the all clear - why would you want to be risking your recovery just for the sake of a bath instead of a shower.
Graham
gwen81475 crawfyx
Posted
A funny thing happened to me before I had my hips done. I went to stay with my daughter and her partner for a few days and they only have a bath, no shower. Well, I managed to get in but I couldn't lift myself to get out! I had no intention of calling for help so I managed to get myself onto my knees and then lever myself up on one foot and get out that way. I didn't think to empty the water out first which would have helped. I still haven't told my daughter about my little escapade, I am too embarrassed!!
Leslie4077 gwen81475
Posted
That is too funny, Gwen! Glad you were able to get out OK finally! I haven't had a bath yet (11 weeks post op) and I do love my baths. I've been going to the local swimming pools/hot tubs and that has helped give me that lovely soothing feeling from the water. Because of the pain in my hip pre-surgery, I've been getting out of the bath like you for years. I turn over, get on my hands and knees. Then one knee up and get out. I have my last Physio appt (that is attached to the surgical dept) this Friday and will ask then what is the best way to get in and out of the bath....and up and down from the floor!
gwen81475 Leslie4077
Posted
I've just had the last of my staples removed today from my second hip replacement and I asked the nurse if I could take a shower tomorrow. She said a shower yes, but not a bath. I don't know how long it is before we can safely get in and out of a bath or up and down from the floor. I started practising this after about 6 months when I felt confident (1st hip done, second in waiting and very painful). Even then it took me ages to go down on hands and knees, turn over onto bottom and then hands and knees to get up again, but what a sense of achievement when I had done it 😁
Leslie4077 gwen81475
Posted
I hope I can figure out a way to get in and out of bath OK...especially by the time cooler weather arrives. The bathtub I have is not the greatest. It is huge -- wide and deep. I have put a Rubbermaid tub filled with sand in it to displace water.....I wouldn't have enough hot water to fill it without that! But It might make getting in and out a bit easier.....some more room and then that bin to push myself up with. We'll see. I understand the sense of accomplishment!
susanbaci gwen81475
Posted
Your response really made me want to add something to this discussion because this is an issue that is talked about so randomly. The part about getting down on your hands and knees and then getting up again or kneeling down or sitting on the floor and figuring out how to get up again is really difficult. Even for me at 4 months post op I have to figure out how to bend my knee properly and not over extend. I have still such tightness in my operative knee since surgery and still find all of this difficult. For those hippies in their later months of recovery who are now attempting the getting in and out of the bath properly, I found this suggestion really helpful. Order a Rubbermaid foot stool - they look like a mini step and you can place it in the bottom of the bathtub. You can lower yourself to sit on that and then fill the bathtub. Of course you're not all the way in the tub at the bottom but enough to feel the pleasures of a bath at least to enjoy the warm water. I didn't do this until after 3 months. I have one tub that is large enough that once the tub is full I can slip the step out from under me and then lower myself to sit down. Then remove the water first to get out. At 4 months post op I still find all of this a challenge and have to contemplate every move and even use handrails because it's the getting back up and out that no one considers the almost impossible part. So my advice, too, is not to attempt this too prematurely. Otherwise you will get stuck or get hurt and have to call someone for help. Keep your cellphone near the bath just in case and/or make sure someone is home to help. Ahhh, the pleasures of the bath come with a big risk hardly worth the troubles but eventually you want to figure out how it can be achieved but it is a HUGE accomplishment that had to be done at the appropriate time.
Rocketman_SG6UK susanbaci
Posted
Sounds like some very good advice there for those who love their baths, I like the idea of keeping a cellphone handy in the bathroom 'just in case', we should of course do this all the time.
Just be careful everyone, bats can be slippery, and remember the ninety degree rule.
Happy bathing.
Graham