Update on bunion surgery

[hokiegirl82]

Today is day 6 after my bunion surgery, and I had my first post-op appointment this morning. After a very painful Thursday night, I got some Percoset from my doctor on Friday morning which worked like a charm right away to ease the pain. Friday and Saturday were much better pain wise, and I haven't had to take a Percoset since Saturday night. Sunday the pain was basically gone and I was just left with a dull uncomfortable ache in my foot, but not really painful, so I decided to stop with the pain killer and see how I do - no more needed! Today I went in for my first post-op appointment, and it went well. I was nervous as the nurse cut off all of the bandages - nervous about what my foot would look like, and nervous that the nurse might hurt me, but all went well. I was amazed at what I saw - a frankenfoot! My foot was bruised and fairly swollen, but the bunion was gone! The doctor came in, said it looked good and went over some instructions. I got a walking boot to wear home even though I am still non-weight bearing for another week or so, and they put on a small bandage to cover the incision area and a small ace bandage up to my ankle to go home with. I have to wear the boot when getting around home, even just to the bathroom, but I don't have to elevate and ice constantly anymore, and I'm supposed to start some ankle and toe exercises a few times a day. I feel so much better not having a huge bandage all the way up to my knee. I'm still couch bound, but I'm starting to feel much more positive about the whole thing and feel I did the right thing getting this surgery.

[hjohnson050711]

that is awesome! i hope you have a quick recovery!! enjoy your couch time - i'm a little jealous!

[Deleted]

Awesome - great news. Just remember to still elevate and ice a lot. It will help will soreness/pain and speed up healing.

[MrsE]

It's good to hear you are recovering well and experiencing less pain! Hope you continue to feel better and heal right up in no time.

[quorra]

When will you be able to resume normal activities again? I need the same surgery on both of my feet and am trying to decide when I should get it done.

[shauni27]

here is to a quick recovery, glad everything went well!

[aileen]

I had a bunion surgery a couple of years ago and it sounds like you're recovering great! I think mine might have been more intense because I had a cast up to my knee for several weeks. Then a boot, then some weird shoe! lol. But the good news is my foot is doing great now. I'm glad everything went well for you!

[hokiegirl82]

Jun 18, 2012 11:17:20 GMT -5 quorra said:

When will you be able to resume normal activities again? I need the same surgery on both of my feet and am trying to decide when I should get it done.

If by normal activities you mean general walking around the house, going back to work, getting my own meals and drinks, I expect to be there about 4-5 weeks after surgery, and that is with still being careful and not overdoing it. I will have a walking boot for about 6-8 weeks once I get my sutures out next week, and probably won't be able to really do any kind of exercise that involves the foot (meaning something like treadmill walking) until about 10-12 weeks after the surgery. I won't really be able to do the intense workouts (crossfit) for months, but that is because I plan on having my right foot done the beginning of next year once my left foot feels recovered enough to withstand the recovery time for the right foot.

[Deleted]

Yep 12-16 weeks for impact exercises after surgery. I was riding the stationary bike from weeks 3-12 though successfully.

[libbygrl109]

Glad your recovery is going well!

[arch01]

Yay!

Did you have pins or did they break the bone? I had both feet done (just pins/shaving the bones) at the same time about 6 years ago and it's the best thing I've ever had done. I hope your recovery continues to go smoothly!

[venice2007]

Wow you're doing great!

[Brit]

Sounds like you are doing great! Hope your recovery goes well!

[hokiegirl82]

Wow thanks everyone - this is crazy seeing this post a year later - today is actually my one year anniversary from when I had my first surgery! I had my other foot done on January 2, 2013 and my recovery has been pretty good for that foot as well (not as smooth as the foot I had done last year but still pretty good). It's also so weird looking back on that post and seeing that I though I wouldn't be able to Crossfit for over a year - I went back to Crossfit 10 weeks after each surgery with no problems and I've run several 5ks.

Uncharch - They broke the bone in both feet, sawed out a wedge of bone, then pinned the bones back together - I have 3 permanent screws in each foot (and a broken drill tip in my right foot).

Having bunion surgery is one of the best decisions I've ever made - the recovery the first month kinda sucks but I can now run without any pain (I used to be in agonizing pain when trying to run) and I can even wear some low heels without pain.

[Deleted]

I was wondering what happened as I thought you already got through these!!

[MrsE]

Just saw the post update. Glad to hear all is still going well!