Bunion surgery 2 weeks ago

I had a bunion removed from my left foot on 11th May, with osteotomy. 

Here is my experience so far, and best wishes to anyone about to undergo similar surgery - it's not so bad, and i'm sure it wil be worth it to walk pain free again.

[u]Recovery from bunion surgery – my experience.[/u]

Operation Day

Asked to attend hospital at 7.15 am, fasting from midnight the night before.  I had eaten a good supper at 9.00pm of omelette, fresh veg, so that I would sleep well, without indigestion, which red meat can do, but would be still full up enough not to worry about missing breakfast.  Was allowed black tea up until 6.30 am, - I had a herbal one.

On arrival at hospital, was told that my op was scheduled for 3.30pm!!! Not allowed to leave the area, but could drink water only, until 10.30am.

I had been warned that the worst thing at this point would be boredom, and that is absolutely true.  I had a book, and a puzzle book, which passed the time for a while.  There was another lady waiting for day surgery, so we chatted for a while, but she was taken for her op at 11.00am.  The staff lent me some headphones so I could tune into the radio on my mobile phone – not brilliant signal, but OK.

At 9.00am I was seen by first the surgeon to check that all was Ok to go ahead, and to mark the foot to be done, and then at 9.20 by the anaesthetist who explained what he would be doing.  Had to sign consent forms for both of these.

At 11.30, had to change into the hospital gown, with my dressing gown over it, and had blood pressure checks, oxygen check, pulse check, had to put on one stocking on the non surgery leg, to guard against blood clot.

At 1.15 I was taken to the theatre area – these days you have to walk in yourself.  Firstly into a waiting area, more paperwork, check consent signature.  Then walked into the operating theatre, onto the op table, with all the lights etc, two orderlies helped me, and were very friendly.  Anaesthetist came in, all gowned up now, and got my veins pumping on left hand.  A premed first, and then he said, ‘when it feels a bit cold and tingly, you are about to go under’  Cold and tingly it was, so I murmured ‘bye’………

Woke up in recovery at 3.00pm.  Apparently surgery was done at 1.50pm, and took about 45 minutes.  I had been dreaming that someone was explaining to me that my operation was not necessary and would not be going ahead, when I came to, hearing’ wake up, you’ve had your operation, all went well, wake up’.  A nurse called Brenda was next to me, and stayed with me.  As I came to, my foot was throbbing and stinging, quite painful.  I told her, and she immediately got an intravenous painkiller into my vein in my hand.  Instant relief.

At about 3.20, a porter came and took me, on the bed, to the daycare ward.  There, a nurse offered me tea and a sandwich  I wasn’t hungry, but very thirsty, so had the tea, and as a biscuit came with it, I ate that.  No nausea, no pain. 

At about 4.00 a nurse measured me up for crutches and brought them I was also given a Velcro shoe to go over my now heavily bandaged left foot.  This was to be used whenever moving around on the crutches, but to try and not put any pressure on that foot.  I used the crutches to get to the toilet, - a bit wobbly, and unfortunately the nurse did advise it was OK to put the bad foot down if necessary – when I did, it was extremely painful, so I stopped doing that, and just kept the foot in the air.

At 5.00pm they rang my husband to come and collect me, and by then I had got dressed.  When he came, I walked out of the hospital on the crutches, very wobbly, but the car was just outside.

For the next 24 hours I was taking strong painkillers every six hours, and sleeping was difficult, as I couldn’t position the foot comfortably.  As  I prefer bathing to showers, and knew that I would not be able to get the bandaged foot wet, my husband made me a wooden rail with rubber grips to go over the bath and support the foot.  Getting in not too much of a problem (but I am quite supple), I get in with right foot and lower myself into the bath, and then put the left foot up on the rail.  Getting out is a bit more tricky, trying to keep the bandaged foot dry – water can run down the left leg so I wrap a towel around the foot,

 First Week

Day OneTwo:  Painful, but controllable with painkillers.  Also a bit woozy from anaesthetic.  Not a good idea to try and get about too much, just keep the foot elevated and rest.  As an active person, I found this frustrating, but realised it’s for the best in the long run.

Day Three/Four:  Pain much less now, and I realise what exacerbates it - too much moving around, especially if the foot is pointed downwards.  Getting better on crutches.  Important to remember to wear the Velcro shoe, even when getting up to the loo in the night, as it does help.  Still resting it up a lot.  I think the anaesthetic is wearing off now; I had no nausea after effects.

Day Five/Six:  Sleeping better, and only one painkiller  a day.  Throughout all of this, my appetite has been very good, eating loads – trying to make sure it’s all good, fresh veg, homecooked if possible (I had made a lot of meals in advance).  Going out into the garden, using the crutches.

On Day Six:  I went out for the first time, picked up in a car by my friend, who took me to a garden centre for a cup of tea in the café.  I had to walk using the crutches for quite a long while to get to the café, and once there, had to put my foot up on a chair,– a bit of throbbing, but not too painful. 

Stayed for about an hour, got a bit tired, and when she brought me home, just wanted to rest with the foot up for another hour or so. 

On Day Seven:  Went out again, in the car, to the shops.  Walked round a small shop, and a few yards, back to the car, always using the crutches.  Same as yesterday, foot throbbed a bit, and needed to rest up when back home before feeling right again.

Second Week

 Monday/Tuesday:

Still staying close to home, and being careful about keeping the foot elevated whenever possible.  It tingles a  bit like having pins and needles, and if I overdo it (stay on the crutches for too long), it begins to throb.  But I have not had a painkiller yet this week, not even at night time.

Wednesday

 Day out today!  Appointment at the hospital for a check up.  Important to be taken in a car which has a passenger seat with plenty of room for the bandaged foot to be elevated – if the glove compartment is housed low, it will bash the foot, very uncomfortable.

Check up went well, - when the nurse took the bandages off, there was a bit of pain as the final piece, a paper towel which was bloodstained, and next to the stitches was removed, but it didn’t last.  I have 10 or eleven stitches on the foot, along where the bunion was – and a lovely slim foot, with no bunion=bump!  Dr checked it, pronounced all is going well.  Clean bandages put on, and although I am to keep the crutches for when I need them, I can now do ‘heel-walking’  on the Velcro shoe.  This will be very helpful if I need to get up to go to the loo in the night, as feeling around for crutches and trying to open the door in the dark has been a bit tricky.

 Thursday and Friday

 I have got a revised fit to work statement from the consultant.  Instead of the blanket 8 weeks off work, I now have ‘phased return’ although still not able to drive for another 6 weeks (if I had an automatic car, I could have resumed driving at 3 – 4 weeks).  So I will work from home, and luckily my job makes it possible for me to do this, although not all my duties. 

I am now walking outside in the garden, and in the house with just the Velcro shoe, and no crutches, although sometimes I revert back to them for a bit of assistance.  Very little pain, - I am however, making sure that I keep the foot elevated whenever sitting down, and have frequent periods of sitting (with foot elevated, above groin level, as instructed).

I Have Not Taken A Painkiller For A Week – Last Thursday night. 

Two Weeks after Operation

 Wednesday

Stitches came out today.  I had it done at my local GP surgery, it did sting a bit, when the nurse cut them out.  Large bandage taken off, and a rubber toe spreader inserted between the big toe and the others, to keep them straight.  A flexitube stocking to wear from now on, and still my faithful old Velcro Sandal.  Still not allowed to do too much walking on it, just around the garden, or maybe to a neighbour’s house, and keep the crutches with me, just in case.

 I’ve got four weeks before I next see the surgeon consultant, and then I will have an Xray, and be allowed to wear trainer type shoes for the first time. 

 I have still not taken a painkiller since the first week, although I might have one this evening, following the stitch removal, as it is still stinging a bit.

 All in all, the experience has not been nearly as bad as I thought, from reading other people’s experiences.  The main advice is get healthy as you can beforehand, and accept that there will be a long period of not being able to get out and about independently – this has been the worst aspect for me, used to nipping out whenever.

I hope this helps anyone about to undergo surgery - best wishes to you.

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