Wellness

[pupwhipped]

@NickNack, I will briefly reply but if you need more info I could really get going on it. Ha! I had bunion surgery on my right foot back in 2013 and did great! I think the thing you really have to find out about is exactly what the surgery will be for your situation and what the doctor's recovery protocol is like. My surgery was pretty basic with the bump being shaved and the bone being cut and realigned with the insertion of a pin, if I recall correctly. All this is in my layman's terms.The surgeon did not straighten my toe which I kinda wish he had but that's another story. I came home in a platform shoe that prevented me from bending my foot at all and I think I wore it maybe a month? I walked out of the hospital putting weight on my foot...just could not bend. The doctor highly encouraged me to stay in bed or on the couch with leg elevated for the first two weeks if possible, and that is what I did. I was a good patient and followed directions. He said so many people, especially women, felt okay after several days and then would push it and go out and be on their foot when they shouldn't. Anyway, I won't go on but can answer any questions you have. Now, as I mentioned earlier, your surgery could be quite different from mine so you need to know exactly what is going to be involved with your procedure. Also, before I had my surgery I read several horror stories and wanted to back right out. Ha! But I was to the point I had to have it done as the pain was so bad I could not walk. I had pain from shoes rubbing and pain that would come and go in the joint for many, many years. But then one day all of a sudden it crossed a line and I could not walk. I remember I met my husband at Lowe's and we were in the back of the store and BANG, I was done. I thought he was going to have to go get a wheelchair to get me out of there. At that point, I couldn't get the surgery done fast enough. 

Hmm, this ended up being not so brief...typical for me. LOL!   

[Winkk]

I had bunion surgery a long time ago so I'm  sure they are being done differently now.  But each person is different and the progression of the bunion is different so it's hard to say.  Just make sure you have a good surgeon either orthopedic or a podiatrist.  Good luck.

[busymom22]

Look up Lapiplasty.  It's a revolutionary new type of bunion surgery. I am planning on having this within a few years.

[millieshops]

@NickNack   I strongly recommend a discussion with the surgeon.  That recommendation comes from my having one bunion that would be an easy surgery/recovery and one that would require much more surgery involving multiple cuts, screws, and months of limited weight on the foot.  That one even the doctors don't really want to tackle.  Right now I am agreeing because ugly as it is, my pain is not bad, but I do live where sandals work year round.

[NickNack]

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@D Kay wrote:

Probably you should have surgery on one foot at the time so that you can bear weight on the opposite foot.   You could at least get yourself into a wheelchair if you can stand on one foot.

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@D Kay   Yes, I would only have it done on one foot at a time.  My right foot is the one that hurts when I wear shoes.  The left one is pretty bad, too, but not to that extent yet.

[NickNack]

Thank you for this information @pupwhipped .  I will definitely ask my surgeon my many questions.

Would you have been able to get up and let your dog out four times a day, put food out twice a day for the dog and scoop the litter box at least every other day?

That's what I really need to be able to do, as well as get food for myself.  I would not plan on cooking, of course.

[NickNack]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

@NickNack   I had surgery on the tendon in my foot right after I retired.  I was living alone and used an insurance-paid wheelchair for about 3 months then graduated to a walker.  I managed just fine with 2 dogs. 

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That's really good to know @Kachina624 .  Thank you for replying.

[Growing]

I’ve had toe surgery twice but not bunion surgery. You will wear a surgical boot or shoe for 4-6 weeks probably and use a knee scooter that you rent ahead of time to keep the weight off your foot. That’s a two wheeled buggy that your knees and lower leg rest in with handles to steer. You’ll need a shower chair or stool to sit on in the shower and a plastic leg cast cover to cover your foot/leg. I had pain both times. I could not walk much at first, and there is swelling. It’s not awful, just difficult for a few days, to two weeks. You can pay someone to help you in your home, give you a shower if you need help, etc. Pay a dog walker for two weeks if you need to. Get your house clean and laundry done ahead of time and groceries bought. Order them for delivery as you said. My toe hurt for months afterwards but not as much as before the surgery! Your feet will feel so much better when you are done. Some people heel fast with no pain and others do not.

[Dragonflyveb]

Hi, NickNack,

I had bunion surgery several years ago and I'm sure things have changed quite a bit, but  I learned a few things that might help.

First, get your pain meds filled the days before your surgery. If you have trouble with nausea after surgery, ask for a prescription beforehand. If you get constipated with pain meds, make sure you have a stool softener and fiber powder. Not a good idea to stop on your way home from surgery.

Second, invest in a shower boot. Much simpler than trying to duct tape a trash bag to your leg. Try Amazon.

Third, invest in an AirCast CryoCuff cooler on Amazon. It's about $100, but well worth it! It has a cooler with tubing that goes into a boot wrap for your foot. You fill up an insulated cooler with ice and water and then raise it above your foot to fill the boot. When you reached your time limit, lift your foot to refill the cooler. It stays cold all day, so that's one less trip to the freezer for more ice packs.

Stay off your foot as much as you possibly can. Combine your chores into one go-round--dog out and fed, scoop litter, use the bathroom, make a sandwich. Stock your freezer and pantry beforehand. Have your books or whatever next to your chair so you don't have to hunt for anything.

You will probably need a ride to the doc to get your stitches out after about a week.

My doc didn't offer me a temporary handicap sticker for driving, but once I asked, he got me one. Use the motorized carts if you have to get groceries. 

I hope that what I learned will help you out, even a little. 
dragonfly

[On It]

@NickNack If you decide to have one foot at a time, I have seen people using a device that looks like a scooter instead of crutches. The knee of the injured foot is bent and rests on an elongated padded seat. The good leg is used to propel the person. It is almost the same action of someone trying to get a skateboard going except everyone I have seen using it is recovering from a procedure. It has handle bars to steer. If you are going to alternate feet, it might save the wear and tear on your shoulders and arms that using crutches can cause. Good luck with whatever you decide.