bunion removal post op symptoms

I am 20 years old and March 11 I had I had a "bumpectomy" on my juvenile bunion which is less intensive than the others where you rearrange nerves and bones. I had general anesthetics and they made an incision about 2 inches down my foot from the bottom of my big toe to the middle of my foot. the surgery went very well. The first 2 days were bearable until the 4th day when I was in large amounts of pain. Pain killers made me sick so I had to take Advil. The doctor said I would be able to put weight on my foot within the first few days, but I found later I had to use crutches even though the boot was supposed to help. I am now in week two, minimal swelling with a lot of bruising, the boot realllly helps me walk. Hardest part is not stubbing my to on everything!!! I am SO happy with my results!

On March 17, '08, I had a bunionectomy with an implant in my big toe. A local anesthetic was used (twilight); so I was asleep during the surgery. Upon my release from the surgery at an out patient hospital, I was equipped with 30 tablets of Vicodin; but only used about 6. I tried to use Advil instead, asap to prevent getting weird from the drug. I walked on the heel of the operated foot which was wrapped in an ace bandage, and there was quite alot of blood and fluid; but they used a long-lasting local on the foot; so I didn't feel anything at all for 2 1/2 days. Then in the middle of the night going on the 3rd day it came to life. Oh Boy! The Vicodin came in handy then. At two weeks they removed my stitches and then in about a week the foot was quite swollen, red and hurting. I called the doc and got an antibiotic (Kelphlex sp?). I used those plastic foot-bags with the velcro belt for showering; but now I can take my lovely baths again. I only have 2 pair of shoes that will fit; and it's now been 4 1/2 weeks post surgery. I still take 2 Advils a day for pain, and wonder when the swelling will disappear and the pain will stop. Now I know why I waited 20 years for the surgery. When can I expect to wear real shoes? It feels tight between the big toe and the second. Has anyone else had an implant? The doc never told me to exercise the toes.
Any advice from anyone? Jax

What kind of meat ball surgeon did you go to? I had a bunionectomy 3 weeks ago. I was sedated during the operation, I was given crutches, I didn't need antibiotics because the operating room was sterile, the incisions are healing nicely, and I'm getting more movement in my joints every day. Your experience was terrible. It should never have gone like that.

I am just 2 days post op... It's pretty painful... to walk on your heels, instructs your big toe to take over the balance..not a good idea... the best advice..stay put for 96 hours... I've had both done so getting about is near impossible...the pain killers do help...and one more thing...make darn sure you have someone taking care of you for a few days...

I am considering having my right foot done. I'm 31, played tennis most of my life, and work on my feet, but I wear good shoes. Mine is genetic - you can look at my dad, my aunts and my grandma's feet, they all look the same.

My question is did you guys go to an orthopedic surgeon, or does a podiatrist do the surgery?

Undertakerss/ do go to an orthopedic surgeon for a bunionectomy. Don't mean to undermine podiatrists. My bunion was also genetic. I am 8 weeks post op. The surgery was a breeze/ took only ibuprofen for pain / I also had 3 hammertoes done at the same time. My recovery is going well but the swelling is still an issue. My foot looks good/ am having the other one done soon.
I am just starting to walk the treadmill again. I had to buy double E sneakers by New Balance at my surgeon's suggestion. Other than that I can only get into addidas flip flops (with velcro closures) or thongs which the dr. does not want me to wear as yet.
Any other questions please ask. good luck to you.

I had right foot multi-metatarsal bunionectomy done on July 11, 2008, which included three screws/pins in my great toe area to put it all back together again, and pins in the other four toes with removal of any damage to the bone/joint of all four toes. I am still recovering and experience minor swelling by the end of the work day (I am a secretary in the local high school and am tied to my desk most of the day!) My scars don't look too bad anymore as I've used vitamin E cream on them to aide in the general appearance/disappearance. I will return on 10/17 for a short surgery to have two of the three screws removed. One and a half weeks ago I experienced the "backing out" of one of the screws whereby a sliver of bone was also dislodged! That was a pretty painful experience, and my physician has assured me that I will be better than good as new post-op. I am incredibly pleased with the overall results of my surgery. I consider myself a model patient, as I was very conscientious post-surgery with strict no-weight-bearing and crutches solid for four weeks. I'm back in the lovely post-surgery boot until my surgery on 10/17 as the pain from that darn screw can get a little tedious and alter my disposition throughout the day. I will go back next summer to have my left foot done which is not nearly as bad as my right.

I had the surgery done on September 19th, 2008. Surgery went really well. I went back to work on Monday (3 days later). I would recommend to take 2 weeks off of work (including weekends) to give yourself ample time to recover. I had a podiatrist (certified board surgeon) do my surgery. He has been great.

I had bunion surgery done about 3 weeks ago and it went great. The podiatrist used a local anaesthetic and I didn't feel a thing. I wore a walking cast out of the surgery. Post op went well also...I took one week off work and mostly lay on the couch with my foot propped up and iced. That was effective in keeping th swelling down and I didn't feel much discomfort or pain. I went back to work full time after the first week as I have an office job and can keep my foot propped up. The only down side is not able to walk too far and cannot drive, but apart from the reduced mobility, the surgery and recovery was not as painful as I had thought.

I had my surgery 3 weeks from now , on my left foot everything is going great XD XD XD , but my question is if I'm gonna be able to use the spa with out covering the foot !

Thank you, :-D

Hello all,
I am thinking of having the operation done in few weeks time. I have to say, I am very scared of the operation and the after effects . Can anyone tell me what the operation procedure was? I mean some surgeons simply reduce the size of the bunion by cutting off a part of it... others are breaking a few bones in the foot. My doctor is going to break my toe plus one bone in the foot itself. Not sure whether I am explaining it too well... but I was wondering those of you who also had their toes and other bones broken - how was the recovery, swelling and the pain after the op?
Would much appreciate to hear about your experiences.

I had my surgery 3 days ago on my left foot. They did the cutting of the bone and the screws and everything. I was uncomfortable the first couple of days but am fine today with no painkillers. I did stay glued in bed with my "toes above my nose" for the first few days and ices my ankle to cool the blood going to my foot, recommended by the nurses in the or. As a result I have no swelling at all and am in very little discomfort today. I will keep it elevated for another day to be on the safe side. I go back to see the doctor on Thursday and at that point he will change the dressings and we will go from there. He doesn't like to introduce the boot for the first two weeks so the soft tissue can heal without stress. Hope all goes well for your surgery!

I'm day two post op. Only had my right foot done by an orthopedic surgeon under a general anaesthetic (what were you people thinking doing this under a local??) and was in hospital overnight. I could have stayed up to two days but I wanted out of there ASAP. I wanted to go home the night of the surgery but they wouldn't let me because I had to complete a full 24 hours of IV antibiotics. I was walking on it a few hours after the surgery and all was grand until the local anaesthetic ankle block wore off. I hadn't taken any pain killers and consequently the pain became quite intense overnight and I hardly slept at all in the hospital. Taking the pain killers after the pain started took some time for them to work. I went home on crutches and have been taking my pain killers and anti-inflammatories regularly and I've found the pain improved 100%. I slept a solid 12 hours the second night and didn't need any pain killers at all until it was time to get up again (dropping your foot down causes some throbbing in the foot and big toe). I've started taking some weight through my foot again, with the assistance of crutches, and I'm thinking by tomorrow things will be even better. My tips for anyone planning on going through with the operation are:

1. Take your pain killers regularly right from the start, even if you're not feeling any pain. Once you start walking on it you will.
2. Use anti-inflammatories whenever possible, they make a huge difference with the aching pain and are more effective that standard pain killers. They can cause some post-op bleeding so I left it for 24 hours before taking them.
3. Keep your leg elevated whenever you can.
4. Wiggle your toes whenever you think of it. This will help reduce swelling which contributes to pain.

If things continue as they are I can't imagine it being much of a drama at all, and well worth it. My doctor has also prescribed me some prophylactic antibiotics which I'm taking...you do not want to get an infection in this type of wound! I'd not hesitate to do this again, should my other foot need it.

Do not be scared of your bunion op.I am 4 weeks post-op for bunion and hammertoe surgery. I had local anesthetic in my ankle and my op went fine.My bunion was very bad and my second toe crossed right over.I have had my bunion completely removed and the bone replaced with 2 screws and one pin. my hammer toe was fixed and straightened with a pin which stuck out from my toe.my foot was bandaged and i was sent home the same day with a heel walking booton and crutches. for the first 10 days, i didnt move except to use the loo and rested it all the time and used bags of frozen peas across the ankle for the swelling. okay, it was quite painful for the first few days, but it did get easier.2 days ago, i had all my dressings removed and walked out of the surgery with straight toes and a pair of soft shoes and given excersises to do for the next eight weeks(slowly).that was 2 days ago. got my foot wet for the first time in 4 weeks today and it felt great. Do not listen to all the horror stories you read please. if you take care and rest when your foot tells you to, (aching and pain), then you will be fine. i am so very pleased with my straight toes now and although i am 62yrs old, i would do it again in a heartbeat. i just wish i had not waited so long before having it done....good luck and go for it....regards....hazel

I am in 2nd day post-op for bunion and 4 hammertoes straightened with pins. Have fiberglass cast with knob on bottom to allow for some weight-bearing. Had general anesthesia and nerve block and thus far the pain has been very manageable with prescribed meds. Am trying to keep foot elevated, because this prevents throbbing. So far, so good, but you really do need someone with you. Will try to keep posting on recovery.