Going to the toilet was one of the most distressing aspects of my pilonidal sinus recovery journey.
Every day, I was extremely anxious about straining and causing stress to the wound, completely unravelling any ‘progress’ I was making.
When going to the toilet, there were times when I would strain too hard and the recovering wound would start bleeding. I would completely break down into tears whenever this happened.
This is why I want to provide you with all of the advice I can around going to the toilet when recovering from pilonidal sinus surgery.
Using my personal experiences based on my 18-month journey, here is a detailed guide around going to the toilet during the pilonidal sinus aftercare stage:
What Happens If You Strain?
The first and most important point to make is that straining is inevitable at some point during your recovery process.
If this does happen, do not stress or panic! Finish cleaning up and place a gauze dressing to stop the bleeding. Once the wound has settled, go through the showering and wound-cleaning steps.
Will You Be Constipated Straight After Surgery?
One thing I was not told after my first surgery is that, when you go to the toilet during the first 24-72 hours post-operation, you will find it difficult and it will feel very constipated.
This is a result of the pain medication and anaesthesia flowing through your body directly after surgery.
Once again, do not panic. This is normal. Make sure to drink plenty of water (aim for 2-3 litres per day) and stick to a healthy diet with plentiful fibre to reduce the effect as much as possible.
The Toilet Process
When I went to the toilet, I found water wipes to be an extremely effective replacement/supplement to toilet rolls.
Once you have finished going to the toilet, make sure to avoid wiping directly onto the wound with the water wipes. Wipe around the area and ensure it is cleaned thoroughly.
Note: Wipe down, not up! Ensure you are wiping away from the direction of the wound to keep the area as clean as possible.
Showering After Going To The Toilet
If possible, shower straight after going to the toilet.
This will take the cleaning process one step further and reduce the risk of any dirt getting into the wound and causing infections or complications.
We have a detailed guide on showering with a pilonidal sinus wound that you should read.
Avoid Constipation Where Possible
As mentioned before, it is not always certain to avoid being constipated, but there are steps you can follow to minimise the risk.
Water
Firstly, water. It is the simplest, yet most overlooked component of the pilonidal sinus recovery process.
I want you to drink at least 2 litres of water each day. Aim for 2-3 litres daily and you will be keeping your body hydrated, which will help when you go to the toilet.
Diet
The second component is diet. Ensure that you are getting plentiful healthy fibre into your diet. Potatoes, green vegetables, etc. There are numerous foods out there that are high in fibre.
Movement
Finally, light exercise! You must be very careful and always listen to your body when it comes to moving around, but try to ensure that you get your body up and moving throughout the day in spells.
This will improve blood flow and circulation around the body, which is important for digestion and keeping your toilet pattern regular.
Again, make sure you listen to your body and exercise should not be climbing a mountain! It is small, regular walks around the house or within a safe distance outside.
If you can keep to a routine schedule when going to the toilet, it will make things consistent and easier to manage.
As mentioned at the start, do not panic or get stressed about going to the toilet during pilonidal sinus recovery. There will be better days than others, but use my personal experiences and advice to help you during your process.