A LITTLE CONCERNED 4 WEEKS POST OP

Hi. I think if you read the forums most people seem to be disappointed until their foot has healed in its entirety. I have had the same feelings as you and am obsessed with looking at me feet. However the forums and official pages do say that the cosmetic side of this operation is normally a disappointment to patients. I have dreamed of having lovely looking feet but know now that will never happen! Yours is a massive improvement and can only continue to look better. Remember surgeons see heir patients feet during the recovery phase so I would be comforted by hi. Saying how great it looks and please don't be so downhearted. I am sure you will be pleased with the outcome x

Hi

I hear you, but I agree with Carole there is a lot healing yet to be done it is early days yet you are at the same stage as me. I think is important not to have unrealistic expectations of what the op will do and one of the reasons is to be able to wear normal shoes and to improve pain.

Some people with the best results have no problems with their other toes people like you and me do and that does affect outcome. I had an elevated toe left from my first surgery and I obsessed abt it for a while but with time and proper fitting shoes it did settle and improve.

I am concerned about the bendy toe on my own foot but it has improved with the splint they did not do the Akins procedure which straightens out the end of the toe. Speak to yr surgeon and ask if this might help in yr case. There is a lot of tissue healing to do yet but maybe you can ask if straightening yr toes would improve things.

Your bunion is gone and yr foot is narrower. You will still have swelling and once you start walking the foot will change shape as you start to stretch out the ligaments and put weight on it. Has yr surgeon recommended Physio? This can help alot too. You will also find over time and if you massage and moisturise yr feet, bio oil is good, that your skin will improve and this again will improve the look of yr feet.

Thank You both for your input, I agree with you, it is very early days. My main concern is the pain around my scar, I am going to have scar massage and someone suggested using an electric toothbrush over the scar daily so once it is healed fully I will do that. I can see everyday it looks better. My foot looks ten times better than it did so I am happy with that, just expected the toe to be straighter. I am thankful I have no pain just the burning sensation and the nerves fuzzing from time to time

You're actually looking really good for four weeks. I'm at 14 weeks and although I'm walking around, the foot still gets swollen in hot weather or the wrong shoe, plus it still aches all the time.  All of which, is normal.  You can expect swelling for at least four months, maybe six, and sometimes as much as a year or two out. 

It will be a while before your foot/swelling goes down. Just try to take your time. If it were me I would get some slippers with more support rather than the booties. I bought several pair of Sketchers that I could slip  my feet into, I will wear them. They come in white or black, the bottoms of them actually look like a black "tire" like material but they have support and you can just slip them on. (I had surgery 10 years ago). I was told I would feel normal after a year, it took me 3 years to be able to stand on my tippey toes and be able to get up off a stool where I was gardening.  After a year or so, my big toe started trying to overlap the 2nd toe, it really bothered me for a long time. I finally tried something to help, I got some Eucalyptus oil (Wal-Mart for $2.99) and massaged both feet twice a day with it, I layered some peppermint oil on top of that. These oils will also help your scar tenderness. Lavender oil is actually best for healing, it would be worth it to get some from Sprouts or Whole Foods or wherever you can get it. I bought some of those clear toe separators and put between my toes to keep them from overlapping, maybe you should try to pick some up at the pharmacy and ask your doctor about using them. You can also roll up some cotton and put between them. I don't one single person who hasn't had difficulty with surgery. My friend's feet are 50% worse than the way yours were but she doesn't have pain so I suggested she not have it done. There are no promises but you really need to stay off your feet as much as possible, elevate them and don't walk flat footed (like those booties that you have because your feet/toes are being healed and remolded, put the oils on them several times a day, it really will help.  I promise..

 

Hi again..  I meant I still wear my slip on sandals/Sketchers. I really don't care what they look like, main thing is they feel good.   About the oils, the massage should be concentrated all over your toes, then rub it in real good on the bottoms of your feet. The oils aren't greasy..it dries quickly and you can immediately layer the other oil. You can even put a little of the Lavender and Peppermint on your temples and down you jaw...and on the inside of your wrists. Careful to not get in your eyes.  You will sleep like a baby. If you have questions about the oil, google them, especially Lavender. It is amazing. Good luck..again, please don't hurry this healing, you will only suffer later on and you don't want to have repairs.   

Really good advice from norma re the bootees and importance of well fitting supportive footwear during recovery. I live my fitflops they even improved toe alignment in my left foot 10 yrs post surgery. You might also consider visiting a specialist in orthotics during your recovery. I also echo lavender oil is the best for healing it has many properties .

I also think yr feet look good for 4 weeks. 😊

Just want to add re any essential oils lavender etc do not apply to scar line until incision site fully healed. Take advice from your own medical advisers on the best time to start using them post op.

Mine is really swollen as well and skin is very dry scar is really crusty does this die down mine is 3 weeks 

Mine is 5 weeks post op now and not crusty at all but it stings like a gooden 24/7!