I just had my second shoulder replacement 3 weeks ago. NOT FUN but my remote control bidet is worth 10 x it's cost. I'm a senior who lives alone with no pain tolerance. Last year I got an automatic bed that rises so I didn't need to rent a recliner. The bed and bidet have been life savers.
Because I had a ledge on my non-surgical side I took a plastic container and put in premeasured lengths of toilet paper folded and ready to use. My husband kept it topped up until I was able to reach across to get the toilet paper.
I've had my rotator cuff surgery repair done over a month ago now. Things are extremely difficult in the beginning after your surgery. I found it way better for myself to use disposable underwear (adult diapers) since I have a physical disability. They came in REALLY handy & I'm still using them as I'm still in recovery. They are also very handy at night time when I go to bed at night. I also practiced & practiced BEFORE my surgery doing things one handed. When it came time for the real thing, I was already a pro at it even though I was extremely sore & tired from the medication I was on also. I'm also doing physical therapy on my own (no therapist visits me) & yes it's painful but I have come a long way. I'm just now starting to lift my arm/shoulder up over my head which hurts of course but in a good hurt as I'm stretching those muscles gently back to where they need to be. My bed is also surgically modified (bed rails on each side, a bed puller in the middle) to help me in/out of bed as I'm still doing things one handed. I'm doing very well & have come oh so far in the process. ;)
@@EquipMeOT Shouldn't a PT/OT visited them to order required medical devices i.e. bed rails, bed puller, commode (?), etc for post op care? Even temporary home care?
Theoretically it should happen, but it is often not ordered for uncomplicated cases (no significant additional medical diagnoses). There are also some restrictions for home care visits based on insurance and if the person can be declared “home bound”. It’s very case by case dependent.
I'm about to have my second surgery in less than 2 days. I can definitely advocate for practising with the other arm prior. I got so used to using my other hand for things like wiping that I'm not even worried this time around, I never went back to my left after using my right for so long 😅 I also watched her videos prior to my first surgery too and they've been super helpful. Came back for a refresher.
Having prefolded toilet paper was extremely helpful after my rotator cuff repair. My care givers provided a good supply for me in a small basket within easy reach until I was able to fold it myself.
I found your channel several weeks ago and still have several weeks to go until surgery. Since I have a lot of lead time I have been practicing, but things are still not easy. Thank you so much for the subject that nobody else addresses!
i will be having left shoulder replacement in july , and i have been watching a ton of videos on you tube , i have to say you have easily the best and most thoroughly educating i have ever seen , you have literally gotten me so prepared i can’t wait to put all the tips and eduction to use i feel like all my practice is gonna pay off a big thank you for getting patients to be prepared and less worried
@@ladyjane9980 thank you i am about 2 and a half weeks out , i ended up with reverse shoulder replacement , it was an intra surgery call , my rotator cuff was too damaged from previous surgery , i am doing very well , my first week not much pain however i did swell up and bruise around day7 , all has subsided now , i use my ice machine a lot . sleeping stinks either in a recliner or bed but i do better in my bed with pillows. you are gonna do great just have confidence in your surgeon and follow all instructions . good luck
Such sensible and useful advice here. I'm not one to complain but it's even more tricky when you have a seriously damaged right arm and wrist and you're right handed, plus you've lost a right leg like I have and can't go to the toilet in the night when it's urgent by putting the prosthetic leg on, it takes too long. So it's wheelchair to the toilet and luckily handles on either side of toilet and left leg and left hand does all the work to transfer. It's so easy to involve the right arm/wrist/hand too heavily and end up with two weeks of pain and recovery. Anyhow thanks for these tips as you can always learn new tricks no matter how much practice is forced upon you.
As you mentioned, practicing with your other arm before the surgery is really important, I.e. wiping, brushing your teeth, etc. I'm watching all of your videos to make post op( total reverse shoulder replacement) living a lot easier.
Thank you for your great videos! For drying after a shower, I found using a wash cloth was the easiest. Even a hand towel was too unwieldy. It is slow, but I found that by the time I was done with everything I could reach, the rest of me had air dried fairly well.
@@robinr5669 she showed you in the video. You use your good arm bring the portable bidet to the hand. Hold it with the surgical hand and unscrew it with your good arn. Rewind and watch
Unfortunately I just found your channel and my surgery is 2 days from now. But I will start doing more with my non-dominant hand as far as hygiene and dressing. I haven't thought about the side that the bidet controller and the toilet paper being on the side of my surgical arm. I did purchase some of the clothing that opens on the shoulders but your tips on how to dress with just regular clothing were very helpful. Your videos are very professional yet very down to earth and easy to understand and you provide good demonstrations.
Your channel is fantastic - thanks for all the great information! I’ve added bidets in our two main floor bathrooms and a second railing on the basement stairs. But….I haven’t seen anything on drying after showering. I’m having rotator cuff surgery 1/10/23. Thanks again for a great job! Bill
I had multiple repairs done on my left shoulder in 2018. Unfortunately, my shoulder to a hit in an accident a year later & there is no repair options available. I've been putting off reverse replacement since this time last year. I'm quite terrified over the entire process. Getting a bidet installed was a thought after my daughter got one installed for post childbirth & cloth diapers (it also had a hand held option to it). But I think I actually like the portable one best, since I'll need rotator cuff repair on my right arm next (I'm right handed). I'll be watching the rest of your videos to help me prepare. I will be having multiple other surgeries after my shoulders (spinal, knee & ankle), so I did invest in a bed frame that has an adjustable head & foot. Clothing videos are next on my list to watch, I truly don't want to have my daughter dressing me at this stage in life (we're both still too young for that lol). Thank you for these videos, I plan to share them with my surgeon for his other patients!
Your videos are fantastic. I'm having shoulder replacement surgery next week and have learned some what I expect to be invaluable tips from watching. Thank you so much!
Iam due to have my surgery on my right side shoulder if there is any help l have been practising very difficult with the leftt hand your videos are very helpful I'm just not confident but iam learning thank you so much have a lovely day 🌻 If there is any thing more which I'm sure you have covered all things thank you 🌻🌻
" SHE'S RIGHT FOLKS !! TEST YOURSELVES NOW ..... NOT LATER. THIS WAY YOU WILL KNOW WHAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO DO BY YOURSELF ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN. I will be having shoulder repair soon and I immobalized my right shoulder this morning to see what I can do without ANY HELP. I made breakfast ( nothing fancy ) made my full size bed with bedspread and all the decorative pillows etc. I found that getting a fitted bottom sheet on will not be possible. So, I will "set up " my bed with a cover of sorts on top and sleep on that instead under the sheets.The only thing to change would be the pollow cases and not the bottom sheets. I washed dishes ( some difficulty depending on what's being washed )took care of my 2 dogs, cleaned 2 bathrooms , put some laundry away.. Took a break !! :) Vacuumed, and took notes on what was given here. Taking a shower and washing your hair will be a bit challenging but you can do it... just be safe and have a shower stool and wall bars. A hand held shower is a must for me and PLASTIC BAGS. Baby wipes EVERYWHERE :):) I made a list of everything I will be needing and check off as those things are put in place and as I practice the nescessary ones every day. 5-6 weeks of post op. is a long time I'v been here before with both knees replaced and 1 knee revision last year. ( this is deifferent ) When there's NO ONE to help you , YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN TIME.. so you'd better learn to do these modalities to help yourself.. PUTTING ON A BRA IS A NIGHTMARE.. If you can go without one then " HURRAY " for you. I CAN'T. :( All of the above and still adding was done with my right arm restricted ) GET ALL THE INFORMATION YOU WILL BE NEEDING.... NOW !!
@Rebecca Hylant Try using a front closure racerback bra. I had my second shoulder surgery yesterday and a bra is important for me to keep them out of the way of the shoulder brace.
Hi Lindsey! Thanks so much for all of your awesome videos!! Although I have had both my hips and one knee replaced with flying colors, I am really anxious about my upcoming shoulder replacement. 😬 Your videos have answered many questions for me, and have given me more confidence that I will be able to do it! Dominant R will be replaced first, then the L at some point in the future. Doc says while I'm under he will inject a cocktail in the left so that (hopefully) it will make things less painful for recovery. Whatever happens, because of your videos I am prepared and have "implements" on hand!! Thanks again
I have been fortunate to find your videos over the last few days and since I’m having surgery in less than a month I have been practicing doing everything with my left hand it’s not easy, and one of my biggest challenges is what you’re discussing right now going to the bathroom and toilet hygiene with my nondominant hand
Great tips due to just having my quarter size damage rotator cuff surgery this morning on my left shoulder and then soon after my right shoulder next😭 man these are great tips ❤️ but that wet feeling not able to feel dry after wiping myself is my biggest issue 🙄 and OMG this is a struggle for real😔
Nice vid! I'd like to say-cause I had the op yrs ago, that you,if possible, should do therapy until spring so you have all summer to recover, cause its a long road to go. Warm weather makes the ordeal so much easier. My surgeon recommended it and he was sooo right. Later on light swimmimg really sped things up.
Thank you. I'm seeing the surgeon in a few days to my consultation. I have a full blown rotational rotator cuff injury. And the muscle that runs down the front of my arm is damaged. (Retracted and thready). Been doing PT but they couldn't get me a MRI in S. Oregon until 2 weeks ago! It's a workmans comp thing. I fell backward in the kitchen on concrete. And in front of my boss and customers/employees. I initially had my sling for 2 weeks. Been having to use it more on my "light duty status!" This is so frustrating and not sleeping comfortably is already hard. Guess it's going to be worse. My point is, I've been using my left (non dominant) arm to train myself! Super important to do that! Please pray.
I bought a bidet with a controller box that I could sit on the tub edge for my left hand. I practiced with it several times before my hand surgery. It's been a year now and I'll still use the bidet.
I had both of my shoulders operated on both had debridement surgery. One thing I did before hand for both is I took toilet paper and a pre-tore it I know how many sheets I use when I have to clean myself so I took an entire roll tore it into the amount of sheets that I would need and stacked it next to the toilet. I bought dental flossers, I bought easy to thaw or microwave foods. I live alone so I pretty much planned and practiced all daily routines.
How did you do? I recovered from hip replacement but im scared of this. I practised this weekend and it was hell...even with freezer meals how do you open them? Cans of cat food.??
I am facing shoulder replacement surgery and can't use my other hand and arm do to a disability years ago. I can say I know I will have to go into rehab because I won't be able to do anything for myself. Even brush my teeth. I am not looking forward to it but it is a must because it is my only useful arm and I need it. I am scared to say the least. This video was very helpful. Thank you.
I use the commode with open bottom bucket to keep it from splashing outside of toilet. Lot easier to clean, the open commode bucket and toilet. Have used it for many years this way due to other issues. However it's still very cold on tush like toilet in winter, LoL
I’m glad that I found you, it’s a big help to me for my AS SOON AS POSSIBLE surgeries. Thank you so much for safety methods to protects my operation. I ‘m seeking your video for bathing , shoulder, thoracic and cervical spine C6 to T13. All these caused of mortal accident from malfunction. Ribs 3L and 4R . I keep strong and praying fervently to go home Manila Hospital because my Neurosurgeon is there. Here in Milan, poor the medical… as my experience instead of getting better the surgeon DISECT my brachial plexus and the results Medical Malpractice . Thank God because my fighting spirit never change as Dad taught me when I was 6 yr. Old. I never and EVER forget it because Dad’s girl. Take care . Thanks a lot
I broke my right arm October 2023, I went to the dentist in December and my previously good mouth was a mess!!! How do you floss with one hand? It is now January 2024 and I just had humeral repair surgery. You video is fantastic and I wish I had watched it sooner. Breaking my right arm is a hundred times worse than when I broke my hip. Do you have a video on dental hygiene with one hand?
I found this guidance 6 days after my repair. Oh dear, have I got things wrong. No one mentioned dishwasher repairs or any of my other errors. I have kept the sling on for most of the time, but the bathroom has not even seen it make a guest appearance. I wish I had seen this and planned in advance, now I am in damage control or recovery.
When I first discussed rotator cuff surgery with my orthopedist it was like "let's do it next week, no big deal". Then I started looking into the ramifications and I realized it was a huge deal. So I have put it off for now while I learn more and prepare myself and my environment. Everyone should try functioning for a day with their surgery arm immobilized before surgery to see what problems will arise. One big thing I realized was managing with one arm would be a lot harder if I didn't lose weight. Im down 30 pounds already, but I want to lose a lot more before surgery. Another is I realized can't do my seat belt with my left hand so I need to find an extender that works for me.
If your surgeon has an opening in a week time, find a better surgeon. Ask all surgeons, doctors and nurses who they use and reccoment. I asked every medical professional i see who do they trust for their ortho doc and surgeon and they all said one person. I chose him. I waited 4 months to get to see him, and my surgery is still another 9 weeks away!
I really appreciate your videos but I just want to mention those of us who have very short arms and if we have some limitation already in the Free arm, trying to pull up pants especially can be very difficult and I find I need some adaptive equipment for that purpose
Well for one thing I would really have a lot of problems trying to use my other arm because I can't even reach back there I've tried it and tried it and tried it and I can't do it so I think there's something going on with my hips. The other thing is if I don't get myself clean good enough which I don't think that instrument that you were showing I think you called it a debate or something like that I don't think that will clean me well enough and I don't need to get no UTIs I am really prone to getting them and they are miserable so I don't need two things at once so is there any other suggestions of how to be able to get yourself clean it's crazy.
Gee…thanks…wished they’d told me some of those things before I left the hospital…going to the toilet after I got home was a real challenge and it made me appreciate just how much assistance was at hand when I was in the hospital …thanks for posting :)
I wish I had found your channel while I was recovering from a foot and hip fracture in the SNF. I would have had the p.t.s work on skills you illustrate.
I fold my pants waistband over all the way around before pulling them up. It’s so much easier. You pull them up and flip the waistband over and its all good.
I'll be having total shoulder replacement surgery in the near future and appreciate your "how to" videos. Which particular portable electric bidet would you recommend? There are so many options it's confusing. Thanks
The BRONDELL bidet has a wireless controller that normally rests on a magnetic holster mounted on the wall and can be relocated for access with you good hand. A life saver.
Thank you.... this is helpful not just for those patients with planned ops but also family of those having such operations. Minor note for the production side of making these videos..... talk a little slower..... recording dialogue is a skill most don't realise is different to normal speech patterns. normal talking speed is actually faster than is recommended for videos. Normally it's fine but in videos it can seem hurried. You are an excellent OT, and the videos you have made should be taught to kids or to people retiring so thy can prepare and plan for any accidents they could have or planned operations. Just something to bear in mind for future videos.... I wish your vids would go viral cause so many people need to know this stuff.
I'm definitely a fast talker :) I husband (director/producer) is constantly telling me to slow down. I think it's years of working in health care and being constrained to tight time frames to communicate a lot of information! Thanks for watching and for the kind words :)
The number one tip I have when going to the bathroom easily is to use plenty of psyllium fiber. It makes the waist more gelatinous and takes very little wiping afterwards.
Even if you put the toilet paper on a stand holder, it will just spin & spin because you can’t use the other hand to tear it off. I haven’t had surgery yet, but I’ve experimented, and you CAN NOT do it 1-handed. So I’m looking into some kind of pop-up toilet paper, or I’ll create stacks and stacks of a necessary amount of tp to set at the toilet to use.
Thank you for addressing these issues. I’ve hand bilateral hand surgeries and am now looking at needing shoulder surgery. I had a bidet previously, but we got rid of it. I couldn’t reach around with my non dominant side bc of back issues, so I struggled because I always felt wet, like I needed a dryer for my rear end. Do you have any suggestions? I appreciate your videos and your help!
I am going for a shoulder operation next week and I have quite a few tips already. My one problem...it is winter now here in South Africa and very cold at night. I would like to know if you are not allowed to move your arm out of the sling...how do you get your top/tshirt on?
Hi lindsey, I haven’t had Any sugary yet im tryin to Avoid it but the pain is becoming unbearable Thing is its on my Right side which is also my Dominite side . Problem is I Also Have A Rare Diseese which has taken my ability to walk or stand without Bars to hold onto!! So what should i do now???
Lindsay...what's the name of the toothpaste dispenser on the bathroom counter? I'm having shoulder surgery soon and this looks like a useful product. So many on amazon have such mixed reviews. Which one do you find most useful? Would appreciate your respnse...thanks
Oh so scared! Just found out last week I need two shoulder replacements. I get so sad that doc was treating me for bursitis and to find out my shoulders are destroyed is a lot to adjust to. I also was informed I have RA. Million questions and don't know what to do first. Did you see a shoulder/ortho surgeon specialist? Does anyone have RA?
Yes, I have RA, and am seeing an orthopaedic surgeon. Have had several orthopaedic surgeries previously because of bone and joint abnormalities. I had been having cortisone injections some months apart, for shoulder pain, and knew I had some tendon issues, then imaging showed quite significant bone loss and tendon damage. So reverse shoulder replacement (dominant arm) is scheduled in 6 weeks. I’m in Australia, so health system may be different, but otherwise anything I may be able to help you with…. I have had osteoarthritis since I was 40, have had both hips replaced, and one knee, corrective surgery for toes (1 foot) and knuckles (dominant hand). Diagnosed with RA in my early 60s. Like you have been reading up about how to manage post-op, and also how to exercise to maintain strength and mobility. The physiotherapist I see now has been a big help, and my range of movement has improved a bit already. Previous physios had given me exercises that I could not manage and when I told the surgeon about that, she also told me an exercise that I could do. (Since I had problems with limbs/joints from early childhood I have had health insurance to cover hospital and surgical expenses. Still have some out-of-pocket expenses though.) This presenter has given me some valuable ideas. And as others have commented, I have been practicing how to cope with various activities of daily living. All the best for your health journey
Thank you , I just found out that I need Reverse shoulder replacement on my right shoulder ( I am right handed ). How do I change my under shirt / shirt etc? Thank you
Thank you . I got this note from my doctor office (Treatment options after MRI results: Reverse shoulder replacement or conservative tx) , any idea or suggestion to chose with option ? I am hesitant to do shoulder replacement . I have no pain or any limited motion. My arm feels weak when I try to add water to coffee maker with a full peaches. Overall feels ok . Have a great evening
Ok now realistically how about a woman that is a full figure. I am having replacement surgery on my left non dominant shoulder. I’ve tried everything to pull up my own underwear. I will not have anyone to help me after 1 week. Please HELP. Oh also I have balance issues.
Prioritize finding underwear slightly larger or stretchier than maybe is your usual. The less struggling you have to get them up, the better. Silky material can be easier because it’s low friction.
Be careful if you’re wearing a skirt. With my dominant hand in a sling I managed to get my skirt caught and rolled up in my undies as I pulled them back up, on the side furthest from my good hand. There was no way I could reach well enough to untangle, I wasn’t at home, I had to wait for my husband to realise I had been gone for quite a while and come looking for me so he could untangle me.
I am a 76-year-old man requiring two shoulder replacements. I have been waiting for several years because I have heart problems and I have diabetes. I also have spinal arthritis. My shoulders are so bad I have difficulty dressing and toileting. I can not lower myself onto the toilet and I can not bend down to pick up things . My wife tries her best but she is also in her late 70s. My life is nothing but pain and suffering and in England, we get very little help from GPs or hospitals. I suppose they are too busy looking after asylum seekers and refugees, they seem to come first in this country.