Bunion Operation

reyo are you sure that you are only having local anaesthetic? I was asleep under general anaesthetic and also had local in my feet. Operation (two feet, four toes in total) took 1 hr 15 mins and was over before I knew it. When I woke up I felt great, like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders that it was done and also that I wasn't in pain.

I had my bunion op in March done under GA but in the last 4 years have had 2 major orthopaedic ops done with a spinal block where I was awake. The first one took 4 hours and the second around 3 hours. I was fine awake during both and had no other sedation. I did ask about having my bunion op done like this but the anaesthetist said although possible I wouldn t be able to go home the same day as you have to wait for the block to wear off.

Reyo I had my op by local and was awake throughout, read my kindle through some of it. But I think I handle that sort of thing well. If I was you I would think about asking for a general in which case you won't know anything until it is over. I saw people having both the morning I had my op it took a bit longer to get going after the general but not much and we all went home within a couple of hours..

Good luck

Hi reyo, I had my op done with a light anaesthetic and an ankle block which numbed the foot for around 8 hours. It can be done under a local anaesthetic as judy4 has testified. I used to be a nurse and when we did procedures under a local we often sedated the patient with diazepam(Valium) and they would just sleep through the whole thing. Contact the hospital and let them know your concerns and ask if you can have something to sedate you. It is their job to make sure you feel confident about how the procedure will be carried out. Good luck

Hi everyone. I am so grateful to you all for sharing your experiences on this site - they have all been really interesting and helpful to read. I am planning to have bunion surgery at the beginning of November if possible - one foot only. I am 61 and have had a bunion for years but in the past year or so it has got worse and is impinging on my other toes - I have constant corns or blisters on one or two lesser toes. So the GP suggested that now was the time to get this done (especially as I have now retired), and the consultant also thinks that it is worth doing. I have read all the information I can find on it (and am trying not to dwell on the possible complications!) so I think I have a reasonable idea of what to expect. I am heartened to hear that some of you seem to be doing really well about 2 - 3 months post-op. The issue for me is that I have a month-long holiday booked to New Zealand (I am in the UK) in mid-Feb 2014. If I can get the op done in early Nov (still to be confirmed), it will be about 14 weeks before I go on holiday. Do people think that is enough time so that I will be able to cope? Fabulousfeet, I'll be interested to hear about your Hong Kong trip!

My other concern is that I am normally quite active - dance lessons (yes - that's the rocknroll bit!), Zumba, Body Attack and walking. How soon after surgery have people been able to start those kinds of activities? It seems to vary from 4 weeks (which sounds early to me) to about 12 weeks (which fills me with dismay as I think I'll be the size of a house end if I am sitting around for all that time!)

Any advice/info that anyone can give would be great.

Hi I had mine done in March and flew to Madeira 11 weeks later for a 2 week holiday. Absolutely no problem and was fully mobile and pain free. I am also retired and around your age. Good luck with the op

Hi all. Now 3 weeks post op. We have been at our caravan this weekend. First couple of days I just sat on sun lounger with feet up. Today I have taken a couple of shuffles round the site with hubby and dogs. I still have velcro shoes on and used the crutches altbough in doors I manage to shuffle around without them.

Rocknroller I can understand you wondering about activity. I am 59 and am used to going running most days and lots of forest walks with the dogs. I must afmit to struggling with the inactivity. I am not sure when I will be able to run again. Hopefully I am o holiday to the Lake District in 4 weeks and although I know hill walking will be out I do hope to be able to do some walking with the dogs by then. I did lose 7lbs the first two weeks after op but I have a feeling that I have gained it all back on due to eaten to combat going stir crazy.....lol

I am sure hou will be fine in time for your holiday.

Nice to hear so many success stories I'm ten days post op after having bunion removed (with pin) and second and third toe straightened (tendons cut) and both with pins in, I go back to have stitches out and cast off Tuesday 16 days post op does any one know if they will remove pins in second and third toe then. I have not been in any real amount of pain just discomfort and finding it hard to walk as normal as possible in shoe due to pins I wasn't given crutches either.

Hi rocknroller - I think you will be absolutely fine to go on your trip to NZ in Feb after Nov surgery, especially if only one foot. Two feet is definitely harder (but manageable) but for me has also meant only one recovery period and one set of hospital bills.

I am going to Hong Kong at 14.5 weeks post op and now I think I will be fine, I have concerns about swelling on the plane and from heat but I know that a good foot massage fixes those plus I will discuss with my surgeon.

A good thing to buy for your holiday to NZ will be deep wide comfortable walking shoes. Lace ups will mean you can vary how tight they are. Socks rather than bare feet in shoes will prevent rubbing as your feet will be very soft/new skin.

As for fitness can you take up something in the meantime that will be less impact on your foot- then you will be active a lot sooner and that will make you feel good!

I'm 24 and have had bunions since I was about 5 ( due to improper footwear and always wearing hand me downs!) I have been considering an operation for several years, firstly because of the appearance (I used to be very self conscience of these) but now they are causing a lot of pain and have been for a few years now, getting worse all the time. Just wondered what people's thoughts were on my chances of having an operation are? I recently went to a & e for a foot injury and the doctor then suggested I have it done. It seems doctors are reluctant to refer people but seeing as they are just getting worse and causing much discomfort I hope to have the operations, although being off work for such a long period is worrying as I'm not sure on my entitlements in this matter. Thank you for reading, all comments welcome.

Hi Natalie 4 I'm 32 and had them all my life (passed on from my mum) I'm 11 days post op and I would recommend I only had to go to doctors once and he referred me the hospital couldn't believe I waited this long to get them done. I'm in a little pain but I am doing quite a bit of asking in the cast and shoe when rested I have no pain what so ever. I go back tues for stitches etc off/out and can't wait to see results and hopefully book in for other one done. Hope you get referred soon x

Hi natalie 4 - I was the exact same story as you except bunions run in my family, not caused by footwear. I waited until I was 32 (am currently 11 weeks post op) and wish I'd done this years ago!

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your comments and for the reassurance that I should be fine for my trip to NZ. Fabulousfeet, good idea about the shoes - I have some old very unglamorous ones that are very wide and comfortable - although they look pretty ugly I can always take them with me! And good idea about taking up something low impact - I have some old weights that I can use for upper body exercises and think I will also buy a Pilates DVD as I'm unlikely to be able to get to classes for a few weeks as I won't be able to drive. Now I just have to hope I get a date for the op in Nov - some doubt apparently as surgeon very busy and may not be able to fit me in then - fingers crossed.

Natalie 4 - my GP took one look at my foot and said that I would definitely get it done - apparently if the angle of your big toe is more than 30 degrees then that is key, plus the fact that you are getting a lot of pain. As to being off work, it depends on your sick leave entitlement so you need to find that out - where I used to work was very generous - up to 6 months...but I know that not all places are the same. Also, depending on what you do I think you may be able to go back to work after only 2 - 3 weeks if you can get there safely and can sit with one foot up. But you would need to check all that out with the surgeon once you get referred.

Thank you all for your comments. I work in a nursery full time so it's not really possible for me to keep my feet/foot rested. I have an appointment with my doctor in a few weeks so I shall go from there. Although I really want to go through with the op I'm concerned about work, I had a quick look through my contract and I can have maybe 2 weeks off, and then the rest unpaid. What is the average time that you need to keep the foot/feet rested?

Natalie 4 - morning I also work with young people (disabled) I also wouldn't be able to rest my foot and I do shift work so not rushing back, my surgeon told me 6 wks min due to being in first cast 2 weeks then a new light weigh cast (which I haven't a clue what is) for 4 weeks then a special shoe for 2 weeks although I know everyone is different I'm hoping due to doing shift work I will return around the shoe time. Have a look in to SP see how much that works out after your sick pay from work, I'm very lucky I get 6 months sick pay.