2 weeks to surgery and boss is scaring me

Hi Joan - I can only tell you of my experience.  I had both done and am absolutely delighted with them It was a breeze compared to what I was expecting and the pain was very manageable.  It is so important to have the best surgeon you can possibly find.  I travelled from Abu Dhabi to London to have the surgeon of choice and he was absolutely amazing.  He specializes in the minimally invasive technique and is a true genius.  I am 14 weeks post op now and doing well.  I didn't have to use the crutches I was supplied once but I did follow instructions to the 'T'.  I have no regrets whatsover. 

Just a quick thing to add onto this.. 

I think you should ask your surgon if you can have key hole. Its a much less infection rate and also you wont have much scar tissue and nerve problems. 

I also traveled to the states to see somone after my problem and he has said that i should have had some cutzone injections or authotics before going ahead with the opetration. 

If you go ahead and have it done. Please please have somone come and stay with you who can help you around the clock if you put 2 much weight on your foot the recovery will be much much longer and the scare will not close. 

x

 

Joan - I am 4 weeks post op having had bunions done on both feet and a left foot hammertoe.  Personally my life had become restricted but I could certainly manage longer thatn a 30 minute walk although footwear was a problem.  I can honestly say that there are lots of talented surgeons out there bear that in mind but I wouldnt hesitate to explain to anyone considering the double option that it has been much better than I had anticipated.  You need to prepare ... your feet up time ....your home ...bathing and have someone who will be there for you but if you take your medication the pain is ... well ...manageable at worst.  I -  and many others on this forum - have been surprised that it hasn't been the horror story expected.  If you are fit for the op and are in a position to help yourself, patient and follow instructions then I know I already feel better than I did before.  No pain , optimistic, nervous and wishing the time away,  but having had a very positive experience all round and definitely prepared to take my chance on a full recovery.  Dont be put off ...there are risks in everything that we do - but if we never took any risk at all we would never consider anything and no progress would ever be made. Your pain and situation wont get any better! 

I had mine after having over 3 years of pain. I'm only 6 weeks after op and haven't had the same sort of pain which is a huge relief. I did however get a slight infection from the wound but cos I noticed the signs early it didn't progress to anything bad. I so far believe that it has been worth it.

if you have worries definitely discuss it with your surgeon and be aware that it takes a long time to recover. I had no idea of this until the day of my surgery as they doctor told me I would walk on the same day, he failed to mention the huge bandage and crutches.

Doctor also failed to mention exercises, so I never did any, but I've found that when I asked people on here those who knew to wiggle their toes and start doing some basic exercises appear to have been able to move better and start walking quicker then I have, as I am still struggle to walk without a crutch. 

On the positive side though it has also helped reduced the knee pain I suffer from.

Hope le this helps with your decision.

Hi Joan, well as with the others, it is a personal decision. For me, I am in awe of those who have had both done at the same time, I had one bunion removed and three permanent pins inserted on 12th December 14, having had Frodo's Feet for ever I am so happy with the result, however!!! patience is the key word for the recovery period! A Podiatric Surgeon as they are feet specialists rather than an Orthopedic Surgeon would be my preference and there are (I have been told) only 60 PS's in the UK, I am also in Cambridgeshire but mine works between Milton Keynes (where I had the surgery) and Kent, he was excellent. I was due to have the second operation at the end of this month but have deferred it to September in order to enjoy the summer, as I said, the recovery period is a little ardous. Your feet are not going to get better on their own and the results are very pleasing. Good luck, it's worth it. 

Hi Joan,

Another good story to encourage you. One foot done mid of sept 2014 (hallux valgus and 2 hammertoes), the other foot done mid of jan 2015 ( all 5 toes, big toe cut on 3 places). Today the pin is removed from my hammertoe and back in shoes, without a problem. Pain and swelling have been minimal.

Make a good choice for your surgeon, I think that is the most important. 

Don'forget that a lot of people on the forum, are they who have problems and are talking about those problems. People like me stop posting after 4 or 6 weeks and continue their live. I think most of the surgerys have a good outcome, and don't forget the relief walking without pain.

Anyway it's your decision. Succes.

Hi Joan, I had a very similar story to you. My bunions only really bothered me after about 30 minutes of brisk walking with the dog. The pain from rubbing on the shoes was getting worse. Like Terri66 I'm also at 11 wks after having a Scarf Akin operation and reconstruction on 15 Dec. The bunion was removed and two screws inserted in the metarsal bone. I'm now delighted with my new left foot which looks lovely whilst the right one remains so ugly that I hide it behind the new one.The recovery is challenging, yes, but the operation itself didn't cause me very much pain. I needed very few paracetamols from the start. There was most  'discomfort' during the first 4/5 wks and a fair bit of nerve jumping and aching which isnt so bad. Now at 11 wks my foot still swells on occasions just a little so I then elevate it - but that's no hardship - and the nerve 'jumping' I still get very occasionally too. It can make you say "Ouch" (quietly), but lasts only for a split second and that is getting even less. I was walking in my outdoor walking shoes at 5/6 wks (I wear lace-up shoes by Ecco for support and comfort as they also have an anatomical footbed - for my flat feet). As soon as I could use the clutch on the car at 7 wks I was out driving and supermarket shopping. Tried to wear low heeled boots last weekend - thought theyd look better with jeans - but 'big mistake' as they really hurt me. Back to the flat lace ups! At least I don't have the pain from the bunion any more and my flats are comfy. I'm hoping by the summer I may be able to wear small heels when we go to a family wedding. I knew beforehand that recovery would be slow and painful so was well prepared. However, things haven't been half as bad as I thought. I'm expecting it to take around a year before I can expect healing to be more or less complete but if I can an occasional twinge, well so be it. Until then I trust things will continue to get a little better each week. Like you I was really nervous about the operation but in the end I knew I had no alternative. I can honestly say I am delighted with the results. You do hear and read all sorts of horror stories but everyone is different. I am 70 and can't wait until September when I get the second foot done. Go for it! LadyPink