Hey! I'm nineteen, I had a bunion surgery on the 27th of September, now it's the 10th of October. They had to go and break my big toe, then stick two screws in it. I was put in a boot that weighs about as much as a brick, which got really tiring to carry around for so long. Just this last Tuesday I had my stitches removed, and was told that I couldn't put any weight on it for another two weeks. So that's a total of about 4 weeks, no weight bearing... It gets really tough, laying around all day, and I definitely got into a funk about it. I still am, kind of, but I'm hoping the results in the end will be worth it. I haven't been able to shower or do anything, really, and I have to get around with crutches which can get really tiring. If you are getting this surgery, I recommend doing it at a time in your life when you don't have much to do. For me, unfortunately, I had to quit my job because my doctor said it was going to take upwards of three months for me to get back to work. It's stressful but I had to do it, my bunion was terrible. I know I have to get the other one done soon, but for now... One is fine.
The pain is pretty bad. I stayed on my hard meds for almost a week, I just recently stopped taking them. It gets really swollen and I elevate it whenever I can, in hopes of getting the swelling down. I get weird spasms where my bunion was, i'm calling it "phantom bunion pain". It sends a shock through my whole leg, and makes it shake. It's quite irritating, and happens often. I talked to my doctor about it and she said that it could last upwards of a year, which is... Disconcerting. The incision is still quite red and gross, to be honest. It isn't a pretty incision, but I guess it's an interesting story to tell. I'll be stuck in this monstrosity of a boot for the remainder of my healing process, which is going to get extremely old. My toes are really, really stiff, and it feels like my toes are sticking together. I wish I could wiggle my big toe, but I can't.
I'm just sharing this to tell my experience, it's interesting to read about everyone. It was crazy to read some of you started walking almost right away, that's insane! I guess I had a little more extensive bunion surgery, so it's understandable.
Final judgement: get the surgery, if completely necessary. It WILL be painful, and it WILL be excruciating. But I hope it'll get better as time goes on. The scar definitely isn't going to be pretty, but in the long run it should be incredibly helpful. Thanks for listening!
Hi I am 49 years old, and by God's grace in pretty good health. I had my bunion surgery done on my right foot on September 24th, 2013. It was called a Bunionectomy with Osteotomy of the first metatarsal. This is when they shave off the bunion bump, I call it, and break the bone, cut it, and realign with a screw. So I am going into my fourth week. I was required from the beginning to wear a special shoe, or "boot" as they call it and use crutches. The first 24 hours was okay as the anesthesia wore off. By the second and third day, I was getting an achy feeling but at night is when I felt the most pain. On top of the pain, that is when you will get the most swelling, so as my doctor says "elevate! elevate! elevate!." I bought a bag of peas to ice it and it does feel good but I really don't know if it helped much. I think it helped more with the bruising. Now I've read on a lot of other sites where some people after surgery are allowed to walk...wow, that is crazy! I know for me since I had the bone broken that it will take at least six weeks for it to heal and I don't want to take any chances of anything happening otherwise. Your doctor might tell you different depending on what type of bunionectomy you are having but please do what he says. I got really ansy the first week and wanted to drive because I have a kid and grandkids to take to school but that wasn't going to happen so I had to make other plans as far as that. Now as far as pain, my worst was the first say, four days. They gave me Tylenol with Codeine and that really helps, but I know I couldnt take that for long since it is addicting. So I asked my doctor if I can take Advil and he said "yes" so I took that in the daytime and the Tylenol at night for four days. From then I just took the Advil when needed and got off the codeine. I think what I didn't expect the most post op was how not so easy it is to get around with crutches and the fun of taking a shower (and I meant that sarcastically:/) Make sure you get a shower seat, which made it easier for me since I couldn't stand on my foot, and unless you bought a cover so your boot doesn't get wet, some duct tape and some medium sized garbage bags. I had to wrap these around my foot so it doesn't get wet. A shower with the handheld shower head is also a must. So I would shower with one foot in and my right foot out so it didn't get wet. Okay now by second week, I got my dressing and stitches taken out. I actually didn't know they were going to do this when I went to my appointment. I thought they were going to change my dressing but to my surprise, they took off the dressing, and my doc pulled out the stitches. This was not painful for me at all. The stitches were like thin hair. Then he put a lightweight sock on my foot and said I can walk with my boot little by little. I was so happy! But I still had to wear my boot at all times. He also suggested I start my range of motion exercises on my big toe so I have been doing that. Watched a couple of videos on YouTube in how to properly do this. Slightly painful, but this is so your toe won't stiffen. So now, I use my crutches off and on and started to cook some real food (been getting a lot of fast food and also my husband who doesn't usually cook, is helping out a lot...whoo hoo!!!) Now, my third week, I can actually say is getting better. My foot does not swell as much but I try to listen to my body when its time to sit and elevate my foot. I am still very aware that my bone will still need time to heal so I take that into account when I realize I've been standing too long. I know a lot of sacrifices have to be made right now but I know in the end it will be well worth it. I like that my foot looks normal even though I am not in shoes yet, but I would do this again. In fact, Lord willing next year I will get my left foot done. The doc said by bunion on there is mild, but with all the weight I have been putting on it lately, I don't know if it will get better. So to sum this all up...all I can say, is make sure you plan ahead. The more help you have, the better. Be patient, because, like I've learned, if you want the outcome to be good, you have to do what the doc says. It's for your benefit. And again...elevate, elevate, elevate!
hi, i have had one bunion surgery with 6 screws , plate 2 fused spots. i love the outcome. having the other one done on wed( almost 4 months ago the first one) did ething the doc told me to do. i know you are doing alot of things on your own and have had both feet done together. have you thought of a computer chair to get aroind on?