My husband got a squatty potty as a joke Christmas gift exchange. Being English he doesn't talk about body excrement of any kind. However, when it looked like he planned on keeping that ugly thing I had to press the issue and ask if he was having stool problems. He said no so I put it in the garage and planned on sneaking it into the recycle. It ended up back in the master bathroom which is narrow so the squatty is hazardous. I asked again if he needed it, he said no but hates to just throw it away. I now have it hidden under the bed untill he forgets we have it. I wish I new someone to pawn this off on.

OK, kswl - I'm not going to argue that you can't reposition properly. Maybe you can get your knees higher than your hips without assistance, and if that's the case - you go, girl

;-)

If you really need such a thing I'll measure the height of the squatty so you can look around for a pretty foot stool ( add non-stop to the bottom to keep in place) because the squatty potty is Fugly!!!

I don't know where I've been but I've never heard of these devices! (or thought about the squatting!) Eating lots of veggies/fruit and whole grains seems to work for me. If I have a problem - it's in the other direction LOL. Hope this helps!

Thanks, JT, but I've already ordered mine (the slim version, which I don't think is ugly at all -- that plastic thing is though, I'll agree with you there). In fact, DH just texted me to say it arrived this morning, and we've been trading texts filled with ridiculousness such as poop emojis and "yay! I can poop like a rock star!" comments.

Heaven help us.

I hate any talk of bodily functions. My DH is more open....uggg. I heard of the "device" from my nephew and it makes sense. Maybe that will be his Bday gift I can't seem to figure out.

Looking at the pictures, I don't think that the white plastic one is ugly at all. I like that it just sort of integrates with the toilet when it's not in use.

There are two heights, one for standard size and one for the comfort height toilets just in case anyone is thinking of picking one up.

Also be sure to drink lots of water...dehydration can lead to difficulties.

...people say they help avoid varicose veins?

Well varicose veins are the same thing as hemorrhoids except for the location and straining can certainly trigger them.

Good point Annie on the water - I thought about that later and exercise too. TR do you take walks? That might help "move things along".

This is the one I'm hiding looks like next to the toilet. Come and get it, it's free.

Gee, I'm thinking maybe I should stop painting with the hopes of starting to sell in a year or so and brush up on my woodworking skills instead . So many bad poopers and nothing nice to help bring those knees up.

It's not too terrible looking a device (and I'll store it away if guests ever come who might tour my home). DH did ask me if I want a chair for the shower next. I smacked him. ;-)

Doesn't your shower have a built-in seat?

No one goes into our Master Bath so I kinda get it. We do have a seat in our shower and I love it.

I know we feel like we are in our own little GW world but we never know who is looking at our posts, who has figured out our identity or what will happen to the thread in the future.

I started a thread (fixer upper) nearly two years ago that got resurrected and continues to be testy. I don't post in it but it is still gets on the first page and my user name is associated with it.

I'm not trying to finger wag but my work with Google gives me a perspective that is disturbing. I personally would not want my identity attached to a potty post for perpetuity. But I may be more sensitive than most about it.

LOL, Brushworks!

d_gw, point taken but it doesn't bother me to discuss such personal things. I wouldn't have started the thread if I had any qualms about potty talk. :-)

If you are having troubles, I think probiotics and diet changes are a healthier choice. No need for special equipment. ;-)

Good gravy! A little harmless potty talk isn't going to embarrass me!

we have them. I do think they are worth it. yours is much nicer than the ones we have. :) we have the ugly white ones.

snookums2, over the 2 million years+ of genus Homo existence, we have been using toilets and sitting position for this function for how many years? (Hint: a very, very tiny fraction of that time). How did we mostly do it before? And, what makes you so confident about "probiotics"? As "food supplements", they are neither regulated by the FDA, nor are all strains peddled for this purpose effective in regulating digestion anyway. Due to lack of any standards whatsoever, heaven only knows what is in that pill or whatever that folks place so much faith in (thanks for nothing, Senator Orrin Hatch!). Granted, our ancestors probably did ingest more fiber.

From my experience, I think some women who have pelvic prolapse (bladder, rectum, and/or uterus falling into the vagina) may find elevating their feet useful to ease the strain (especially during the recovery after having surgery to fix it). One in ten women will have surgery for the condition, eventually, which is nearly always due to injury during childbirth. (Apologies if I have been too blunt, but these are not "dirty" words.)

If you are having troubles, I think probiotics and diet changes are a healthier choice. No need for special equipment. ;-)

I think it's a good idea, it is actually a more natural position.

That said, I find that taking a 400 mg magnesium capsule at night helps quite a bit.

oh my, the things we read at GW/Houzz! Things I never knew were a thing. That bizarre/disgusting/hilarious youtube "commercial" is a hoot. I'll never look at a footstool in a bathroom the same way, ever again.

I have traveled in many countries where "squatties" or toilets that are just a basin in the floor, are common. It takes some special leg muscles to hold and get up from that position --- ones we North Americans are not used to using, except those that do cross-fit or something of the sort. Those that have tried the squatties, know what I mean. In our office in Italy, just one ladies room had a "sit down" toilet. It was especially popular, especially with the Americans.

"over the 2 million years+ of genus Homo existence, we have been using toilets and sitting position for this function for how many years? (Hint: a very, very tiny fraction of that time). How did we mostly do it before? And, what makes you so confident about "probiotics"? "

Did I recommend not using a sitting position? I missed that.

I didn't say using a stool was a bad idea. I suggest probiotics not only because they work great but research is discovering just how important our gut health is. The medical community is discovering that poor gut health is at the root of many health conditions. Constipation is an indication something is wrong or off balance in the body and needs to be changed. Just a FYI. Do whatever you like.

You're right, snookums2, that was my over-interpretation -- you only said no special equipment required and that is true -- anything that elevates the feet will do. I totally agree about the importance of gut biota -- probably one of the more revolutionary discoveries of the past decade (and another reason to be sparing in use of antibiotics). My caution about the "probiotic booster" products out there is that they are essentially unregulated and may not do what they claim. But, yes, care of the gut flora and fauna is an important component of health, and part of that is a diet that suits them, too -- they seem get constipated-cranky if fed the wrong food!

After using the Squatty Potty, I can attest that it gets your knees up quite high which is quite helpful. It's a bit of a strange feeling, having never been used to doing it this way, but I can definitely tell that this is a beneficial position. I had attempted to raise my knees the night before with a trash can on its side, but it wasn't the same.

I realize I don't need to qualify my posts by saying this - but I don't often have frequent elimination issues. However, having seen the devices in someone else's home I became curious as to how they work, which sparked this whole thing to begin with. Hopefully others who have a similar interest will find something worthwhile here.

Catspa, my comment on no special equipment was tongue and cheek. Was just trying to be light!

I buy Dr. Perlmutter's probiotics. He's a neurologist who is greatly interested in their overall health benefits. So I'm not really concerned that their quality is poor or full of fillers and other junk.

And my comments were intended for anyone reading that might have constipation issues (or other health problems).

snookums - is the probiotic you use liquid or pills?

They are powdered gel caps. They are quite expensive at Whole Foods but they do go on a good sale and you can get them from reputable sources online for much less.

They also come in somewhat varied targeted formulas.

I buy probiotics at Costco. They often have some on special.

Thank you Catspa. Your info re prolapse was informative and helpful. Good contribution.

Thank you snookums and terri for the info!

They are labeled Dr. Formulated so searches don't necessarily turn up under his name:

http://www.vitacost.com/productResults.aspx?N=0&ss=1&Ntt=dr.%20formulated

An little side note to the "straining" and heart attacks. Years ago I was having problem with my heart rate suddenly racing, up to 200 bpm just sitting still. I was able to get to the doctor while it was happening, and after they got an EKG to figure out what was going on, they asked me to "bear down" like I had to go. What this did was disrupt the heart rhythm enough for it to get back to normal. So when you are straining, you are disrupting your heart beat and it can cause problems.

I guess form is important lol!

Oh, please. Where's his magazine?

(Just kidding! Just kidding! ;-D )

Any he scores a 5.8 from the East German judge!

The grumpy French judge gives him a 4.4. Points deducted for lack of a magazine.

I would have thought a quick navel to spine during an exhale puff through the mouth ... and, his shoulders should be back and down while leaning in. I'm giving him 3.8.

I am on opioid therapy so that does cause issues at times. I bought a little kids potty stool at Ikea and tried it, but it was too uncomfortable for me (bad knee-which is the reason for the opioids). So I went and drank a bottle of water and took a walk around the block and viola, no problems.

Ann, that is the Valsalva maneuver.

Turquoise, it will take you a little bit to get used the having your knees up so high. I have the plastic one and at first it felt really weird. I keep it in the bathroom but wouldn't say I "can't go" without it. For me, when I need to go, I go but it may help for those times when things aren't moving like they should.

A nurse friend who had problems in that area and ultimately decided to have elective surgery said that these potties were helpful for her. She tried several (I wonder what Amazon does with the ones sent back?) and found that a medium height was best for her.

The only times I had real difficulties were after childbirth. And that isn't happening again for me :)

Yoga blocks also help, and canbe stashed away when not using...cost about $10 for 2.

Ok, waaaaaay TMI but I'm really liking this thing. There's a definite sensation of having the inner workings aligned and "open." I absolutely see the benefit ... just in case anyone else has an interest.

KSissy, that's a great suggestion!

Lady Gaga needs no squatty potty with these shoes!