topic Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery in Wellness

Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 05:28:30 GMT

I'm scheduled to have bunion surgery on August 13th. I chose an orthopedic surgeon who only does feet, and has good reviews.

I did ask him many questions so I'm aware of what will occur. However, it would be great to hear personal experiences.

He told me my toe will he fused. I won't be able to wear more than a 2 inch heels afterwards. Well that's ok with me because, long ago, I stopped wearing heels.

I will be heel bearing, which I'm very happy. Recovery time is around 6 weeks.

Anything else you can share will be appreciated.

thanks.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

77yangya — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:43:59 GMT

Hi, Ditzydori. I can't elaborate on that kind of surgery but since 2018 I've been beat up with appendix and gall bladder removal back to back. So much oral surgery. Had implants put in, four took one failed same had to be removed. Since April I have not had teeth on bottom jaw. Have to wait until mid August for healing abutments to be removed. Had second covid vaccine yesterday and my immune system is VERY sensitive so it was not pleasant. Unfortunately, I'm not one of the ones that skated through. Had to have a toenail removed because it was seriously ingrown and infected. THAT was from wrong trimming.

Now, as far as your surgery. It sounds kind of cut and dry but I sense you're like me. Like I said, I cannot give input BUT I CAN give encouragement. I think it's not too major a surgery and I think you'll do fine. I will ask GOD for His help for you. Good luck hon. XXXOOO

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Suzy Q from PA — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:33:26 GMT

Had bunion surgery a few years ago. Have plate in big toe and had second toe reset. After the initial surgery pain, recovery was not too bad.. Used a walker and had one of those surgical boots that could be taken on and off for showering, etc. I did purchase a stool for shower. My big toe is no longer flat on the ground, so that I could walk with the plate in my toe and downside has been my shoes need to have a generous toe box. Cannot go bare foot. I no longer have the horrible bunion pain - so it is all good.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

gidgetgh — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 12:28:27 GMT

I had bunion surgery on both feet at the same time way back in 1984. Best thing I ever did for my feet.

A podiatrist did mine. The plan was to do a walking shoe thing, but when he operated, he said my bones were a little too soft and put me in casts to just below my knees. O.....k....so it took a little used to walking in those, but in a few days I was walking all over. I had them done on a Wednesday and went back to work the next Monday.

I had the casts for 3 weeks and then the surgical shoes for 3 weeks after that.

I do remember that he said that if I had been any older he would not have done both at the same time. I was 29 when I had them done.

Best of luck to you on your surgery @Ditzydori . Your feet will be so much better.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 13:44:21 GMT

Oh thanks for the encouragement.

Gidgetgh I have a question. You said you went back to work after such a short time. Do you have a sit down job? My job requires a lot of walking and I’m taking 6 weeks off.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

DrKelli — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 13:57:20 GMT

I had bunion surgery in 2012. It took a LONG time for the swelling to go down. I was in a boot for at least 8 weeks and on crutches most of that time (at least 4-5 weeks). I also took 6 weeks off--mainly because I had 10 years of sick time saved up. I think if you have a job that requires you to walk a lot, this is a good idea.

I ballroom dance, so my shoes have a 2 inch heel. I wear flats mostly except when I dance.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:59:07 GMT

Thank you.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

gidgetgh — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 17:05:58 GMT

@Ditzydori wrote:
Oh thanks for the encouragement.

Gidgetgh I have a question. You said you went back to work after such a short time. Do you have a sit down job? My job requires a lot of walking and I’m taking 6 weeks off.

@Ditzydori - I had an office job, sat at a desk, but of course, walking was involved.

3 days after my surgery, I went to the mall with my sister and walked in both casts. I only needed a few days off.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

chrystaltree — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 16:08:44 GMT

Mine are pretty bad, especially on the right foot. I'm fortunate in that they only hurt in certain shoes. My sister said hers throbbed almost all the time. I'm fine if I choose the right footwear but I almost always have to go up a size. I did go for an orthopedic consult with a foot surgeon, I even book a surgery date. I canceled it after 2 coworkers had a terrible time after their bunion surgeries. Neither had the 6 to 8 week recovery time my surgeon said. Recovery was months for those two women and one said that while her foot looked better and it resolved the shoe problem, she still had pain in her big toe.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:23:27 GMT

Thanks,Chrystaltree. I had 2 knee replacement as well. I had always heard the horror stories with that as well. But I went for it because I literally couldn’t walk. I did exceptionally well, and it was the best thing I could have done for myself.

I’m praying it will be the same now with my bunion surgery. Although with the correct shoes, (Algeria), I am able to walk and work. I do experience lots pain, however, and because I’m not walking correctly, the pain is radiating. I have a lot of arthritis in my upper foot as a result. My whole foot hurts and sometimes my lower bone on my leg hurts as well. Massages help. So for me it’s much more than a shoe problem.

I picked an orthopedic surgeon over a podiatrist who specializes in this type of surgery, with great reviews. Can disaster happened? Of course. But I’m willing to put aside any fear and go for it, with Gods help.

I’m glad your bunion doesn’t cause you any trouble. You are most fortunate.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

RetRN — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 19:31:05 GMT

@Ditzydori, wishing you all the best. It sounds like you did your research selecting an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in this and has good reviews. I believe the benefits of the surgery will greatly improve your quality of life. The discomfort of surgery and the healing process take patience, but it is for a limited time and then you can resume a better life.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Growing — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 01:49:11 GMT

I have a fused big toe due to arthritis. I can't wear any heel height. Just flats. I can't wear shoes that put the weight on my toes. I can't wear clogs or sandals that you grab with your toes or that are slides. Because it's too much pressure on that fused toe. I find Drew brand shoes with their stiff sole work best for me. Anything that is too flexible makes that fused toe hurt and swell. I had a mostly sitting job but often on my feet. My boss at the time insisted I wait too long to have the surgery and then demanded I be on my feet after the two weeks I took off. She was very self absorbed. It took me 9 months to heal and even now, years later, the fusion occasionally aches. I have to keep that toenail clipped just right. Too short and the tip of the toe hurts where they insert the wire for the fusion. It's healed but it's sensitive. Too long and it puts weird pressure on that area, too. When it's really cold, and I walk barefoot, I can feel the metal piece in the bone. In a hot bath, I can feel the metal heat up. I am sensitive and I just notice this. It's not bad, just odd. I had an excellent foot surgeon, too. I have a lot of foot arthritis which adds to the foot pain. My foot pain is less after the surgery! I went to an MD, an orthopedic surgeon. I would not go to a DPM which many people have surgery with. Your doctor sounds like a skilled one and you've done your homework. I'd say expect to need different shoes at work afterwards. Like with more padding or a stiff sole or no heal. Depends on how you heal, we are all different. Oh, and I went to the Accupuncture guy to help reduce the toe swelling at about a year post surgery. It still seems to swell a little. It's bothering me again this summer but I've been wearing too flexible of shoes lately. I need stiff soles, even in my slippers. I use Voltaren gel on the toe at times. I had more pain after surgery than most people due to my long wait to be allowed time off for the surgery and my general foot arthritis. Good luck to you. PS: I forgot to say get a plastic cover for your leg for people with casts. Found on Amazon and in drugstores. Use it in the shower. I used a shower chair and propped my foot up on the side of the tub.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

PilatesLover — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:29:04 GMT

Just a suggestion, but if you haven't done it already I recommend asking your doctor to sign an application for a temporary handicapped parking permit.

I did that for all three of my foot surgeries and boy was I glad to have it.

Good luck with your surgery.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Skyegirl21 — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 11:16:22 GMT

Be ultra careful about following instructions to prevent infection. My good friend had this surgery, had a plate put in and shortly after the plate broke and needed re-adjustment. After that she starting feeling poorly, feverish. Sure enough she had a bone infection (osteomyelitis) and then required weeklong hospitalization followed by a 4 week at-home twice daily IV antibiotic treatment regimen, with constant bloodwork to monitor. Very difficult recovery and it is never completely gone. Can recur anytime. Thank goodness her husband helped her daily with the IV treatments. Just be careful and ultra vigilant. This is a rare thing though, so don't worry, just be aware. Best wishes!

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:37:27 GMT

So I had my bunion surgery two weeks ago. All went well. But...OUCH!! When the nerve block wore off I hit the ceiling. Thank goodness for the pain meds.

Very minimal pain now and I'm on the mend. Healing well. I'm almost walking normal with no cane or crutches. I'm so happy I had this done. My foot looks great. A shoutout to a great doctor.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

agb80 — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 07:29:44 GMT

@Ditzydori wrote:
So I had my bunion surgery two weeks ago. All went well. But...OUCH!! When the nerve block wore off I hit the ceiling. Thank goodness for the pain meds.

Very minimal pain now and I'm on the mend. Healing well. I'm almost walking normal with no cane or crutches. I'm so happy I had this done. My foot looks great. A shoutout to a great doctor.

@Ditzydori How was it done? Please explain even if it sounds gory. It's important to me because I've been putting it off for a long time and would love to have it done. For example, did he shave down the protruding bone and then ???? Please go into detail. Thank you.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 17:03:18 GMT

All I know is that I had a toe fusion. I'm heal bearing. I had a number of procedures done on my toe. 2 hammer toes and a bunionette fixed as well.

From the X-rays it appears he put what looks like a clamp on my big toe to hold it together in a straight position until it fuses together.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

depglass — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 18:00:18 GMT

I watched My Feet Are Killing Me last night. Very graphic bunion surgery shown, I had to keep switching out. But if you get this on streaming and are up for surgery I'd watch this. This woman was a dancer of some sort, ballet I think.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

NYCLatinaMe — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 18:52:55 GMT

@Ditzydori So glad to read your surgery went well. I have some issues (a painful big toe joint, a second hammertoe) that may require surgery but have always been afraid of it. I have had the pain in the big toe joint forever, but just never went to have it looked at because my toe area is wide as it is, and it is hard to find shoes, so I will probably have to wear some kind of box for a shoe! And I love shoes! I do wear the widest shoes I can find that are decent looking and won't fall off my foot because my heel is narrow.

I would love to see an orthopedic surgeon that specializes in foot surgery like you did, but have not found any in my area just looking online. I live in NYC and there must be millions of them! I have seen too many horror stories with podiatric surgeons. How did you find your surgeon?

Best wishes for your recovery.

Re: Upcoming Bunion surgery

Ditzydori — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:18:46 GMT

i am very sure you can find an orthopedic surgeon for feet in NYC. Try Hospital for Special Surgery. NYC is known for having the best doctors and hospitals.

I googled podiatric orthopedic surgeon. I then looked for great 5 star reviews. I also asked my pcp if he knew and recommended the surgeon I picked. Turns out he did and said he was excellent, which he was.

My surgeon used to work in NYC but came to Florida (where I live) because of his wife's family. When he told me that, I was even happier because he came from NYC. I'm quite sure you will find a surgeon there.

Don't let the horror stories scare you. Everything has horror stories. But I bet there are way more success stories. I had 2 knee replacements. I heard horror stories galor. I did just fine. With this surgery I didn't need shower chair, was on crutches, heal bearing for about 1 1/2 weeks. Then cane for 1 1/2 weeks. Now I'm not using anything and my limp is minimal. I started driving at 2 weeks with no problem. (Yes, surgery was on my right foot)

I wish you luck.