dVH/RALH: Yet another embarrassing question

For my laparoscopy in August, I had an incision in my belly button and one on my lower left side. I has oodles of gas pain and swelling/bloating. For the first 4-5 days, it killed me to (tmi) wipe after #2. I felt like I was ripping my belly apart and could hardly reach around my swollen body. I've has multiple c-sections with a low abdominal cut and never experienced anything like that pain and discomfort, taking care of #2. I remember thinking "how am I going to do this with three times as many incisions, all over my body?!" I had good pain management otherwise, and soft enough stools, but wiping was near impossible. If you don't mind sharing.... Did anyone else have any issues with this following a laparoscopy or da Vinci? Was my experience a fluke, or should I expect to feel that way again? I was mortified at the thought of having to ask DH for assistance there. Luckily I didn't have to... Barely!

I've had a laparoscopy in the past and my hyster was done vaginally. I can't say I had that problem after the laparoscopy. After the hyster though I was constipated and had painful gas. Before your surgery I suggest having the following items at home: Gas X (the gas pain is unbelievable), Miralax or stool softeners (most pain meds are constipating and you won't be able to push to poo), and moist wipes for your bottom. These things all helped me. Wishing you the best.

I have heard other (((sisters))) say that they got a spray bottle and filled it with warm (not too warm, though!) water to help stay clean. This might help.

I didn't have any issues, and I had a hip-to-hip incision. So hopefully you will be OK.