This is great, thanks for sharing! So nice to read about another successful recovery, especially with a more complicated surgery like yours. Congrats! I, too, think that gaining your toe flexibility back is a key but it obviously takes some effort.
Keep the positivity going guys! :-)
Keep the positivity going guys! :-)
Ok...what do we have here, a little over two months! The swelling is minimal at this point, even at night. The scar is DARK RED :-) but i'll keep working on it. Have been going to the gym just about every day in the past week, walking on the treadmill, doing the step master, and even tried running for a few minutes which didn't hurt but I was afraid to go on :-) I've noticed that my gait has changed, I put the foot on the ground differently, don't know if that's because I'm subconsciously trying to protect the former bunion side, or I just have totally different foot mechanics altogether now. I remember the doctor saying that he'd rearranged things a little bit to take the pressure off the big toe, maybe that's what it is.
I'm supposed to get custom orthotics eventually, I'm thinking to prevent the bunion from coming back. Will let you know!
I'm supposed to get custom orthotics eventually, I'm thinking to prevent the bunion from coming back. Will let you know!
Leaving to Vegas this Friday, no high heels, the osteotomy cut has not healed completely yet. I've stopped taking anti-inflammatories (just read somewhere they may hinder bone healing). No running either - for the same reason...
Week 15, bone's healed completely, at this point I'm allowed to get back to running (or any type of exercise) and wear just about any shoes I want. Yeah! I also got fitted for orthotics and they seem to help my arches and take off a lot of weight from big toe area. Just came back from a trip where we walked for 4-5 hours in a row and it didn't bother me a bit. I'm kinda anxious to go for my first post-op shoe shopping to see if it's any easier to fit in the ones I like...the old shoes fit just fine but they were wider to begin with. I compared the old xrays to the most recent ones and it's obvious that the foot is narrower and the swelling's gone, but to actually see the new shoes fit would be even more comforting. Will let you know!
Ok, I'm happy to report that I went shoe shopping yesterday, tried every single pair I liked and all of them - except for the really narrow ones- fit! I was purely ecstatic. I can't describe it. I love shoes, I thought I'd never ever be able to wear the ones I adore but voila! :-)
I'm also in a week three of my return-to-running program, and it's going just fine. Went for an 8-mile hike last weekend, no issues.
That's about it...Am I looking at the prettiest feet on earth? No, of course not. They're still sort of widish and the big toes are not completely straight but what a huge difference, no pain, no "bump", no discomfort of any sort. If your bunion's really getting in the way of your lifestyle like mine was, find a good doctor and deal with it...Good luck!
I'm also in a week three of my return-to-running program, and it's going just fine. Went for an 8-mile hike last weekend, no issues.
That's about it...Am I looking at the prettiest feet on earth? No, of course not. They're still sort of widish and the big toes are not completely straight but what a huge difference, no pain, no "bump", no discomfort of any sort. If your bunion's really getting in the way of your lifestyle like mine was, find a good doctor and deal with it...Good luck!
I was so happy to read your post! I am scheduled for a left bunionectomy this Tuesday, November 1st. Like you, I have put it off and put it off, seen numerous doctors, heard awful horror stories. It wasn't until I went to an orthopedic surgeon for a different problem and was told that a bunionectomy was a "simple" procedure that I decided to have it done. I have a pretty high pain tolerance and will be off work (desk job) for 5 days afterward but, again, like you, I am so excited to go shoe shopping! I also have a right bunion that I am planning to have removed if all goes well this time around. Thanks for the encouraging report.
Thank you for your posts. My daughter is scheduled for bunion surgery this week to correct a congenital deformity. I was very worried about the post-op pain. Your posts will help us both sleep better this week.
This is so nice to read. I am so scared I really am but am fed up with the pain and the toes pushing further over . I would say that mine are moderate. My opertaion in on the 29th March - wish me luck on both feet too!!!
BTW My Mum had the surgery 30 years ago and had no pain at all!!
BTW My Mum had the surgery 30 years ago and had no pain at all!!
I too, had no pain what so ever, was also scared to death after hearing how painful it can be. Had my surgery 3 weeks ago, well impressed. Go for it.
I deffinately agree with your thread.
I was a little apprehensive regarding pain after surgery. All posts i had seen say it is a very painfull experience.
NO IT IS NOT. I too were able to walk on my heel after surgery with the aide of walking sticks and found it not too bad at all.
I am in my first week and i can walk on my heal without the walking aides.
My answer to anyone who has a Bunion and your toe is still reasonably straight, do it now as you wont have to have the end of toe done as well. :-)
I was a little apprehensive regarding pain after surgery. All posts i had seen say it is a very painfull experience.
NO IT IS NOT. I too were able to walk on my heel after surgery with the aide of walking sticks and found it not too bad at all.
I am in my first week and i can walk on my heal without the walking aides.
My answer to anyone who has a Bunion and your toe is still reasonably straight, do it now as you wont have to have the end of toe done as well. :-)
Hello and thank you for the posting. I'm scheduled to have my right foot done 1st on 10/12/2012. The sugeron told me that my bunion was (moderate) I do suffer pain but it's usually not severe unless I wear high heels for over 2 hours. My doctor told me that this surgery is the most painful surgery and if it was his wife that was needing it he would advise her NOT to get it!! I'm a nurse and my husband is a PA-C. My husband suggest that I get it done now while he's still in the ARMY and it's free! This surgery (if I go through with the surgery) will be done by a Army doctor. PLEASE keep me posted!! I turn 45 on 10/02 and surgery on 10/12.... Im I doing the right thing???
I MEANT SURGEON NOT SUGERON LOL
Thanks for sharing your experience. I had my left foot done years ago and although I remember being in a lot of pain initially I am happy with the results. So I had the right one done yesterday. I was expecting the same pain and felt no pain and my big toe is numb. I went to the emergency room last night and I was assured that the pain medication during surgery would last a while and there was no nerve damage. I was very relieved and today I am in discomfort. Yes, surgery can cause pain which is why your doctor will send you home with a prescription for pain as well as antibiotics. Every surgical procedure is different and some people have a higher tolerance for pain. I have dealt with chronic pain and use meditation, visualization, imagery, and music. Whoever is considering this procedure I encourage you to remain positive, eat healthy, have loving people around you to help take care of you, communicate with your doctor, and prepare yourself so you will heal.
Hello there, I am new to this but wanted to write about my experience. I had the operation on my left foot on Monday 29/10/12 and it id now Thursday. The pain on Monday was non existent due to the local anaesthetic but on day 2 (Tuesday) was unbearable for a few hours until the meds kicked in. It was my fault really as I had to reduce the dose of Codeine as it made me nauseous and dizzy and also I tried to walk a bit too much the previous day as I had not felt any pain. Anyway, since then, the pain has become less each day and I am now just taking standard neurofen every 8 hours. My foot is swollen but the pain is tolerable. I even had a bath today with the special LimbO bag over my leg - all good! I think the initial needles for the anaesthetic were the most painful and made me very lightheaded - I have an incredibly low pain threshold! Anyway, feeling like I am getting better day by day and more mobile and have even been working from home today! So far no regrets but will have to see what the results look like. By the way, through general internet research, I was swayed towards a Podiatric surgeon rather than a general one as he would be better aquainted with foot surgery. Good luck with your decision!
I am currently 14, I had hallux valgus surgery on the 9th October 2012. I came out of surgery with no problems what so ever. I was given crutches and a post op surgical shoe which was to be worn at all times.( Not that I am) I experienced no pain within hospital and therefore was let home the same day. That same night I experienced excruciating pain, but this was normal as I had my surgery so young. The following morning I was fine. I stayed home for 3 days, (foot elevation is a MUST!) Fourth day I went back to school with no problems at all. It has been four weeks yesterday since I had my surgery. It will be exactly one month soon. I had my bandages off 2 weeks after the surgery. The scars in my opinion look pretty cool. Anyway, I am dying to get back to exercise. My fitness Regime was perfect throughout summer and I don't want it to plumit. Hopefully when I go for my next app in two weeks, they will possibly let me start to exercise again. REALLY CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK TO MY SPORTS. Anyway Anyone considering this surgery, should go ahead with it, it's not much of a big deal :)