Going out

Excellent question. I too would like to know how others have managed. Probably mostly a girl issue!

K. X

I thought the same things , measure the height of your chair at home against your walking stick , then if you are out you can out it against the chair and see if it's high enough, on the loo being low , look for a disabled toilet you can lower yourself down on the bars keeping your operated leg in front of you

Hi Jessica. You don't say how many weeks past your operation you are. This is what I did. From about the end of the second week I did go out for coffee etc. I had a backpack with an inflatable cushion in it and I also took another fat cushion as well, to raise the seating. I found that the maximum I could manage at this point was about 45 minutes and I didn't use any toilets at this point. By week 4 I was using some of the disabled toilets in shops, pubs, garden centres. I asked around to find where they were. Some are better than others, with a raised pedestal and grab bars which I could use as I stuck my leg out in front of me as I lowered myself down. I didn't attempt to use a normal toilet. By week 5 I was confident enough to find something to hang onto (wall, basin etc) as I stood over the toilet in a semi squat position. This took a bit of practice!

Hope this is useful and good luck. I expect you will get some more advice from others.

Steph

Disabled toilets. Use the railings to lower yourself down. If there isnt one you just have to use the walls of the stall to lower yourself down whilst walking your feet out infront of you. Thats what i do.

Invest in a 'She-wee'.  It is small enough to fit in a handbag - just remember to take a plastic bag with you to pop it in (a freezer bag is best).

That way you don't have to worry about low toilet seats.

Thanks everyone! I didn't know if it was ok to use a disabled toilet I am very carefull about not bending and worry about these things

Xx

Squat in the air and hope it lands properly if you're desperate...lol...!!! ??

hi Jessica, 

I know, it is such a concern, isn't it - and a valid one - 

I applaud you for undertaking these little outings at 2 weeks post-op though - I was just getting around in the house, going for little walks  and had my friend take me to ortho outpatient to have staples removed at 2 weeks post-op - 

Great tips from our forum members - height of the chair is important - I never had a cushion with me but always asked for one - public toillet is something else - not everywhere they have a toilet for disabled - My biggest  challenge was at the hairdresser's - still is - goodness, never realized how low those toilet seats are !!

I agree with Steph ... you will become very creative, darling - 

how are you doing otherwise?

big warm hug

renee

It has played on my mind too.  When going to visit family/friends I take the toilet seat with me but risking a loo at the shops/restaurants is another thing.  How far post op are you?  I even bought a 'feminine' contraption which didn't work and using a thick pad 'just in case' was a non-starter!  It is an issue!