okay, I am a week out from surgery, and must say... totally impressed! the swelling is almost gone, my foot is still a little discolored and bruised in a few places, but overall fine. I can hobble along pretty well no crutches, and can put weight on most of my foot- not on the bunion site though. I haven't needed pain meds for several days now, except for once 2 nights ago, and just a mild one. I am wearing a surgical "shoe" which is a black velcro-ed on shoe. It is shaped underneath to make me stand on my heel. I also have a little white pad that velcros around my foot to protect it. I will post a photo of that next time too.
here are the photos of my foot.
from day 5:
and now, day 7:
So glad I didn't pay attention to all of the horror stories I read on the internet, or to all of the people I asked and had heard about. I do think I may have had a different experience due to going to a foot surgeon, versus a podiatrist. The podiatrist I had gone to previously told me 4 years ago that I would be laid up for 6 weeks for each foot. ugh. happy I didn't have him do the surgery!
7 comments:
Hi there -
Ran across your blog through a web search...how long before you were able to be active (i.e., running, jumping, etc.) following surgery? I am very active and concerned about that part....
Thanks!
It was a few weeks before I was really active. I was off of crutches after a few days, then using an angled "surgical shoe" for about 2 weeks. After that I wore a flat surgical shoe for another week. Then a loose slip on sneaker-type shoe after that for a few weeks. I am not a runner, so no idea how that would have been, but rather a skier, and it wasn't ski season. But that said, I am sure you would be able to be active on it within 2 months.
Also, I highly recommend doing the surgery! My experience was great, the only thing I would change is doing a better job with rehab and the physical therapy than I did. I was really good about working the toe on the first one. But by the time it was therapy time for the second, I was pretty done with the whole thing, and was not diligent. So now in my skiing, I can tell, as I don't have full range of motion in that one, etc.
Good luck! and check back in, and let me know how it went.
:) Lindsey
Hi,
I know your blog post is old, but I just recently had my left foot's bunion removed. I'm in a cast for about 2 weeks and then for about 4 weeks I'll be put into a walking boot/cast. I'm just wondering, did you experience a lot of pain over the healing period? I had mine removed only 5 days ago - the pain has subsided a bit, but I'm just wondering what your healing process was like?
I know your procedure was, to be assumed, less invasive than mine, but I'm just curious.
Thanks!
Leanne
Lindsey! I had this surgery on my right foot... 2 & 1/2 years ago when I was 17. I don't know how your foot was, but mine was SO bad that I could not walk long distances, or wear closed in shoes without my foot hurting. I realized how bad my foot was when I was walking to a concert, in sandals, from the free parking lot and I could not keep up with everyone else because of how bad my foot pain was. I remember icing it with a bag of frozen peas after waitressing (in sneakers) for a couple hours. After that point I told my mom that I wanted to see a foot doctor. I knew by the pain that I was having that I needed the surgery before having the consultation. Sure enough, I was right. And having the surgery was one the best decisions I made. Am I right? I told myself I'd rather be healing in pain than just getting worse.
If I could give anyone else advice, that is in the process of the surgery/thinking about it, it would be DO IT! It shouldn't matter how long it takes you to heal, or whether you're active or not. Your heath is what's important, and the younger you are the quicker you will heal. Also, bunions don't go away with all those BS gimmicks you read about. It will, without a doubt get, worse without surgery. BUT do not get surgery for the wrong reasons (ie: to be able to wear higher shoes/fit into shoes).
And you're right about the bad experiences. I heard them too. But you're more likely to hear about the bad ones before the good ones. I definitely had a good one though :)...I love my foot surgeon. He's a kind hearted man, very honest, and I will gladly recommend him to ANYONE. That's how good he is. Although, I didn't choose him based on how long he told me that it would take me to heal.
Your right foot looks painful :/...must be next on the list.
I'm confused, why weren't you put in a cast?
Leanne, I think everyone's healing process is different. It is a little painful, or atleast my experience was. But I was on a low dose of Percocets to make me more comfortable. (My doctor also gave me a temporary 6-month handicapped pass after I first got it done.) But when a doctor puts a knife to your bone you will have pain. I don't know about either of you girls, but my surgeon pinnned my bone together after he cut it. Then I had another procedure about a month after I had the initial surgery where he removed the pin (after the bone grew around it/healed). I don't think all surgeons do this. Some will use permanent screws that will eventually come through the foot over time from the imact of walking. So I'm sure my process was longer than yours. I was in a cast the whole time. And he did not want me walking on it, so I was immobile the entire month and a half-two months. After that he said the range of motion would NOT be what it used to. Eventually, yes, but it's not instant. My doctor told me that you will just one day notice it's back to what it used to be. Just be patient. I went to physical therapy, as you probably will. If your doctor is not thorough with you, make a list of concerns/questions and bring them up to him. Walking in the sand after your surgery is very good for your foot too :)...I also had a cortizone shot after the surgery which helped too! Goodluck :) And don't be hesitant to ask your doc what's up!!
hi Lindsey,
I have flat feet and bunions. Both my feet look like your right foot in the picture. I am a 53 year old male by the way.
My Mom has them and her Mom did too. I have three brothers and a sister, yet none of them have bunions.
I have lived with them for years and have tolerated them, but now feel it is time to get the surgery so I can walk without my feet hurting.
My question to you is did your feet hurt when you walked, excercised, etc. before you had the surgery? And after the surgery, after you completely healed, do your feet hurt at all when you walk, etc.? Sure I want my feet to look better, but I am more concerned that the surgery will take away the foot pain I have. I have also had to buy the widest shoes I can.
My wife has been bugging me to have it done because she feels they look ugly. They seem to hurt more when I wear dress shoes for work.
I appreciate any tips or advice you can give me too.
Thank you,
Rick
CA
Ugh, you are lucky, I am 6 weeks post lapidus bunionectomy, I am 6 weeks no weight, and 2 w a cam boot, now i go back w a shoe two sizes to big and attempt to go from there :-/ happy healing all
Myfeetjourney.blogspot.com
This blog Is very informative, I am really pleased to post my comment on this blog. It helped me with ocean of knowledge so I really believe you will do much better in the future. Good job web master.
Post a Comment