Having bunion surgery on Wednesday

[hokiegirl82]

I'm going in for my first bunion surgery on Wednesday morning on my left foot, and I'm getting more nervous as each day passes. This was a personal decision to take care of my bunions while I am still young because they are very painful, even with the custom orthotics, wide shoes, steriod shots, etc., and I will hopefully have years of being physically active after the healing process, but I can't help but be a little scared and anxious about it. I am doing one foot at a time because of the severity of my bunions and the fact that I can't be out of work for longer than a month, and I will have screws put in to fuse the bones together. I have been really active the past 5 years so sitting on the couch for such a long time is going to suck, but I'm trying to be positive and remember that hopefully when all is said and done, I can get back to Crossfit with less pain and get back to running. If anyone has had bunion surgery and would like to share your experience, I would love to hear it.

[kimmyo73]

My DH had both of his feet done in the past year. He waited and waited because he wanted to avoid the painful recovery but he has said that it wasn't too bad after the first couple of days and he wished he'd had it earlier in life. Good luck!

[Deleted]

I have had bunion surgery on both feet. I did them separately almost 4 months apart. Mine were very severe and hurting constantly, even without shoes on. I barely could run and the pain was awful. Having the surgeries was the best decision I made. I had them done 2 years ago. It was a slow recovery process, but the pain/soreness I felt during recovery was nothing compared the pain I felt with the bunions. Make sure to keep your foot elevated and iced and stay off it for the most part for the first 2-3 weeks. Also, be sure to keep up with your toe exercises in those weeks as well. It will help with flexibility in your foot.

I was able to ride the stationary bike and do upper body weights at about 3-4 weeks post surgery and back to running at about 10-12 weeks post op. Make sure to fill your pain pills BEFORE you go for surgery. Stay ahead of the pain - take pain pills right when you get home and as often as the prescription says for the first 48 hours. If you don't take them, it's hard to catch the pain once it starts. You will not feel your foot because of a block for about 18 hours afterwards, but you want to make sure you have the pain meds in your system beforehand so they will be working when the block wears off.

Running was/is SO awesome without that pain. I am so glad I did it. I was sore for about 8 months to a year after, but that soreness wasn't disruptive. Please feel free to shoot me any PMs if you have any additional questions before or after your surgery. Good luck! The hardest part is laying around for 3 weeks with not much to do. Make sure to have lots of books, magazines, DVDs, etc. on hand to keep your mind occupied.

[hokiegirl82]

Great to read 2 positive replies! I have my prescriptions filled, my kindle loaded with books, tons of DVR and Netflix to watch, and some puzzle books to keep me occupied. The pain in my feet has gotten much much worse over the past few years so much that it just hurts to walk around the office at work every day, even with orthotics and wide shoes. I love being physically active and my bunions have seriously impaired my physical activity, so I'm really looking forward to the day I can exercise without sharp shooting pains. I'm nervous but I know this is the right decision for me.

[ddi741]

I had both feet done. The first one at age 19 and the second a few years later. 20 years later is still the best thing I ever did. I was back at work on crutches in a week and completely heeled in 2 months. Your foot will be swollen for a while so for once I got clearance to wear regular shoes, I went out and bought cheap shoes in 2 different sizes so I could wear matching shoes even though one foot was a different size.

[mmp]

I wish you the best! I am facing foot surgery at the end of the summer and I'm anxious, as well. I've been sucking down "calming" teas for a week.

Are you have an orthopedic surgeon or podiatrist do the surgery?

Feel free to PM me when you are feeling anxious. We can calm each other down.

[hokiegirl82]

MMP - I am having a podiatrist who is certified in foot and ankle surgery perform the surgery (not sure if all podiatrists are certified in this?). He has performed lots of surgeries and I feel very comfortable with his demeanor and experience.

Last day of work before surgery in the morning!!

[mmp]

Good luck today!

[orly]

I had an big toe fusion in 2008 it was the second surgery I had on the same toe. My joint was crused and the first surgery was a failure. I had a cast only because of a little one in the house (it was just safer) at 4 weeks I was walking with a boot and a cane. By 6 weeks I was just using a cane.

Just this past Monday I had ankle surgery. I am sitting on the couch with the leg up in a air boot (I LOVE IT) and trying to stay on top of meds.

I would recommend getting a haircut before your surgery just so you have a feel pretty type of day before. Also little stations set up for movement with in the house. Like on my couch is my laptop, remote, books, school stuff and drinks and snacks. in the bedroom is simular stuff.

Good Luck

[orly]

also when they fused the toe they did it at an angle so I could have a normal gait.

[hokiegirl82]

Surgery is done and I'm at home beginning my 3 weeks of couch surfing. Thanks for the well wishes! Everything went well and I'm hoping for a quick recovery. Now it's on to watching all of the shows I have recorded!

[mmp]

Get out! You're home already on on the computer?? Didn't they knock you the heck out?

I'm glad for you that it's over. Enjoy your down time and hope you recover quickly.

[Deleted]

Glad to hear it went well - how are you doing today??

[hokiegirl82]

First day wasn't bad - the surgery was at 8:30 am, I was home by 12:30. The numbness from the surgery kept my foot mostly pain free throughout the first day and that night. Unfortunately, once the numbness wore off yesterday, my foot hurt more and more, and by yesterday evening I was in considerable pain. I've been elevating it, taking vicodin as prescribed, icing it, but the pain still got pretty bad through last night and into this morning. I called the doctor's office this morning and DH is going right now to pick up a prescription for percoset to hopefully help with the pain. I've taken percoset before after other surgeries and it helped quite a bit, so I am really hoping I will feel better after taking it. I have my first post-op appointment on Monday, and there is no way I could wait until monday to get something for the pain. I'm trying to just keep myself distracted with tv and movies so each day goes by as quickly as possible.

[joenali]

My cousin just finished both feet. It was a long and painful recovery for her. I hope you feel better soon. It sounds painful!

[Deleted]

I can't believe they just gave you vicodin for the first few days! I had demerol! I hope you got some pain relief and are feeling better and more comfortable now. If you have massive swelling (which can happen in the summer) than sometimes cutting the bandage to offer some relief and retaping it can help. I had my SO cut the bandage at the bottof of my feet and then we retaped it and I upped my dosage of the meds.

[hokiegirl82]

Aaah relief (hopefully) - just took my first percoset and hoping it kicks in and I feel more comfortable.

doglove - I have never taken vicodin and thought it was a pretty strong painkiller, but maybe not so much. I have had percoset on several occasions and it always works wonders. My doctor told me before the surgery if I have pain to rewrap my ace bandage because it might be too tight, which I did twice yesterday, and it did help with some heel pain, but not with the pain on top or bottom of the foot. I have all kinds of bandages on my foot under the ace bandage so I'm nervous to cut anything but I think with percoset I will feel better. thanks for all of your advice!!