Bunion both feet at the same time - recovery and weight gain?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Good morning, I am 44, I will be 45 by the time I have dual bunion surgery. I am starting to get nervous about it all. I am a very active person, I do some rough exercises, I trail run, I try to keep strong and in shape, aside from the pain, the immobility I am mostly worried about gaining a ton of weight and losing my strength. What were your experiences? how can I stay in some what of physical shape? I also plan to only take 4 weeks from work, will this be enough? I CANNOT take any more time than this.
Any advise and suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you
0 likes, 18 replies
JaneG SeaSun91
Posted
Hi - I have to be honest I had one bunion and a hammertoe straightening and there was no way I could have gone back to work after four weeks. Couldn't even think about driving for about ten weeks post op. I was told constantly told by my medical team that if I didn't follow their advice i.e. Non weight bearing for two months I would undo any work that had been done. Weight gain was minimal - I am very active and have to watch my weight. Just be careful
Please don't underestimate this op - I did - its major surgery.
good luck
Jane
SeaSun91 JaneG
Posted
laura04277 SeaSun91
Posted
The important thing to remember is that every body is different and you do need to take it slow .
I myself was concerned about the weight gain .You just have to be careful with what you eat and then I got creative with my work out a lot of arm work with weights ,kneeling on a chair and doing pushups on a bench .And then I would switch that up in the donkey kicks .If you're dedicated you'll find a way it's not going to be the same as your regular workout but You will adjust
Good luck and I hope you have a speedy recovery .
SeaSun91 laura04277
Posted
That's what I was wondering, if I would be able to do something even if it's just my upper body. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.
Lynn7777 SeaSun91
Posted
I had both feet done at the same time about 5 years ago when I was in my mid sixties. I was an occasional runner, certainly not the same intensity as you. I had many of your concerns--weight gain, mobility, and loss of strength. I used free weights for my upper body, but followed my doctor's instructions to a "T" by keeping my feet elevated above my heart, and staying that way until he gave me the "all clear." I put food in the freezer for about 2 weeks, had books ready--anything I could do while lying down. My husband and I are retired, so he was able to help me. You will need to line someone up to help you go to the bathroom, take a shower, get you a margarita😉--especially the first week. I used a wheel chair with my feet elevated for awhile and then used a walker. I was able to start easy jogging about 7 weeks post-op and played golf at 6 weeks. I can't remember when I was allowed to drive, but I know it was longer than 4 weeks, so you may need to arrange for rides to and from work for a while. I would speak with my employer and ask permission to keep your feet elevated, otherwise they will swell. I can't emphasize enough to follow your doctor's instructions. Don't push it, because it will only delay your recovery. Even though it was harder to do both feet at the same time, I'm so glad I did it that way. Recovery is not fun and once is enough! One other piece of advice, when you get home from surgery, the minute you think the nerve block is wearing off, TAKE YOUR PAIN MEDICATION IMMEDIATELY. Don't miss a dose because you will need to maintain the level of meds to keep the pain at bay. The meds made me nauseated, so I would suggest eating a little something when you take them and then switch to something like Advil when your pain subsides after several days. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Chelmer Lynn7777
Posted
I wonder if you could also give me some advice- I’m having the op on December 6th so will be just over 2 weeks by Christmas. Will I be able to do anything? We have family coming, staying over etc. Will I be able to go up and down stairs?
Really grateful for any feedback.
Thanks
Jenny
Lynn7777 Chelmer
Posted
Chelmer, if you are having both feet done at the same time, I would discourage you from your plans unless your guests can fend for themselves or you have a lot of help. I know that's not what you want to hear, but if you don't keep your feet elevated, your feet will swell and be extremely painful. And if you walk on them other than going back and forth to the bathroom, you could undo everything. This is major surgery with a lot of pain involved and is not to be taken lightly. There is a lot of work involved with the holidays and having company. I would encourage one of those potential guests to host the gathering and you can go in a wheel chair with your feet elevated. Of course, it would be problematic for you to travel also. If it were me, I would cancel my plans and have a nice, quiet Christmas at home.
JaneG Chelmer
Posted
Hi Chelmer - Absolutely agree with Lynne. Please don't take this op lightly it is major......unless your guests are close family who will do everything for you I would discourage you from having guests and have a quiet time. Remember all the things that are associated with having guests - cleaning, changing beds, shopping, cooking - you wont be able to do this... you'll have to leave this to someone else....Sorry not to be more positive.....
Jane
Chelmer Lynn7777
Posted
That’s really concerning, I sort of knew but hadn’t really absorbed the full impact. I am having just one foot done and had thought that after two weeks I would be able to move around a bit more freely. I will have to rethink things. Did you sleep on the sofa?
Our bedrooms are either up or down stairs from the sitting room. Will I be able to go down on my backside?
Chelmer Lynn7777
Posted
This is very depressing - was it worth it, are you glad you had it done?
I hope you don’t mind me asking a personal question - sex?? Possible? Sounds awful to ask but I’ve just remarried and it will be bad enough being laid up!
Jenny
Lynn7777 Chelmer
Posted
Having only one foot instead of two done will be a little less limiting but my warnings are the same. You won't need a wheel chair, but there is something resembling a scooter that you can rest your surgical leg on and use your other leg to propel yourself. You can rent it at any medical supply company and I would encourage you to do it. You may need to get something from your doctor to make your insurance pay for it. You will get so tired of lying down and not moving and this will allow you to at least go to the bathroom without any help. I didn't sleep on the sofa since our living area and bedroom are on the same level. My husband built a "cage" that would fit under the bed covers to keep them off my feet. Just the pressure of the sheets was painful. It might be best for you to sleep on the sofa at least for the first week or so. Trust me, you won't want anything touching your foot! I think you could go down the stairs on your backside; certainly that would be the safest way.
Lynn7777 Chelmer
Posted
Am I glad I did it? YES! ABSOLUTELY! I had put it off for several years, but when I retired, I decided to do it. I had a lot of help. My husband could never be described as a caregiver, but I and my doctor were very clear about what I would need. I was pleasantly surprised with his help without complaint! But again, I had both feet done and was in a wheel chair--you will be a little more mobile to begin with. You will still need to elevate your foot 95% of your day. I ordered a foam wedge from Amazon that kept my feet elevated.
I would think that sex would be possible as long as you're not too athletic. 😉 But just the thought of something touching your foot makes me cringe!
If you have any other questions, just let me know.
JaneG Chelmer
Posted
Hi Chelmer - I too am glad I did it so much so I'm getting the other one done early next year. I know what to expect and the recovery time. I.m
likening it to having a baby you forget how bloody painful it is 😂 good luck it'll be worth it!
SeaSun91 Lynn7777
Posted
Great advise, thank you so much, I have help at home for the first 4 weeks and I have lined up some co worker friends who will help me out if I still can't drive when it's time to go back to work after winter break. The first couple of weeks I will be working from home.
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Did you gain a lot of weight?
SeaSun91 Chelmer
Posted
JaneG SeaSun91
Posted
Hi I'm very prone to weight gain but I was delighted that I didn't put on a huge amount. Actually lost the first few weeks...didn't feel much like eating. Since then I've been on a diet so will weigh much less before my next op. Just take care and don't do anything that will undo the good of the operation which I was told would happen if I didn't do exactly as I was told!
Good luck!
Jane
Lynn7777 SeaSun91
Posted
No, I made sure I had a way to keep my mind busy--movies, books, magazines. My husband took me out for lunch, walks (him pushing me in the wheel chair), to the movies. I did lose a lot of stamina but it didn't take long to regain it. My husband is not a cook, so there was no temptation to overeat.😊 I tried to stay away from the munchies. You will only be completely on your back for about two weeks, so weight gain really won't be that big of an issue if you're careful.
Chelmer SeaSun91
Posted
I’ve now decided to have both done at the same time on December 7th by David Gordon at the Spire, Harpenden. He wants to do it under general rather than local. What about you? I think it would good for us to keep in contact on our progress?