mechanics after APR surgery - barbie butt

Katie, I don't know how much help I can be to you because I had everything done at once. But, I will tell you this....It wasn't as bad for me as some others I've read about. I didn't have any drainage or leakage once I got home. It was uncomfortable, but not unbearable. I only took a total of 3 percocets, 1/2 at a time. And I healed pretty quickly.
You'll figure out on your own how to sit, stand, sleep, walk etc.
Eat lots of protein (start now!) and hopefully you stopped smoking because as you know, smoking slows the healing process.

I'm wishing you lots of luck for Wednesday and sending you great big hugs!!! I'm so happy for you!

I had a long recovery from my second surgery to fix my butt wound, and I wrote a blog post about a lot of the mechanics -- see http://tinyurl.com/kafkqs3; it answers some of your questions. A few more thoughts:

1.) Sitting - any tips or tricks helpful. Should I sit on a pillow. Should I make a C shape pillow for sitting on hard surfaces? What is better - pillow and hard surfaces or sitting/laying sideways on soft surfaces?

Probably at the beginning it's best not to sit too much. They gave me a waffle pillow at the hospital, which was fine at first. I had persistent problems and ended up w/a pillow from roho, which is great (take the cover off).... pricey though, and probably not necessary if your healing goes well. Don't use a donut or C shaped pillow, these spread your butt cheeks, not what you want.

2.) Sleeping?! Same thing... I know after my last surgery I LOVED that I had an adjustable bed for my abdominal pain. But now - that wouldn't be good for my anal wound! please help! :)

I'm a side sleeper. The hard part was rolling over, and also getting in and out of bed. See blog for more detail.

3.) Peeing - im a girl so I sit to pee! Ive heard this can be rough with the anal wound??

I used a pstyle (see blog post). I recommend something, although others have been OK without.

4.) Which activities are restricted more with the anal wound? Stairs? Bending? Sitting? Walking? Ive dealt with the abdominal before but would love specific info on dealing with activity with the anal wound! :)

Walking was fine at first, stairs a bit restricted, but not for too long. Bending and sitting are the hard ones.

5.) Dressing changes. I see my husband and I will be taught in the hospital... how much help will I need? My husband works 10 hour days... should I rope in another close friend to help??

Get a "hip kit" from the hospital and ask for an occupational therapist (or physical therapist) to teach you how to use it (and how to get in and out of bed). I learned to do everything myself. Hardest was tying shoes..... but I wore slip ons or used elastic shoelaces (sometimes I asked someone else to tie my shoes for me). See blog post for more details.

As I said, my situation was more extreme, so you probably won't need everything I had.... good luck!

honestly Katie, havcng had the whole shebang taken out in one fell swoop, I can't say much to your specific questions. But, I did find myself mainly lying down when recuperating- on my side! Granted, this was after the whole colon removal, so.... I did not use a cushion to sit, nor did I need one- my butt was sore, I did use a pillow in my car for a month or so, but was able to sit on a padded surface for a meal, a tv show, etc. with no trouble. Just had to shift around a lot, couldn't sit in one position for hours. Peeing was no issue- my husband installed a comfort height toilet the day I came home- mainly because my abdominal incisions hurt to crouch too low. As far as positions go- crouching was a big no for me. Cleaning the litter box was near to impossible for 4-5 days. But that was it, no deep-knee bends, no crouches... I didn't have dressings at all- I did wear a panty liner for a while, to absorb any drainage. But there were no "formal" dressings to deal with. I kep the area as clean as possible, took sitz baths 2-3x a day for a week or so.... Used my pain meds for a good 2 weeks, especially at night. But again, this was also due to the whole abdominal surgery. I think you'll be fine!!!! You gotta figure it's way less major than getting your colon out, so....