Bunion surgery -having both feet done at the same time.

Hi lizmw, my mum had a double bunionectomy and she was in a lot of pain and had to be hauled around the house for a good few weeks. and that kinda bothered me all the more because it looked like i was headed in the same direction. But my auntie found a bunion supporter in Japan and sent me a pair. And they have REALLY helped me. the first week of wearing them my feet felt kinda stiff, but now ive been using it for about 2 months now and my bunions dont hurt anymore.  Before it i was using the "elite hallux valgus night splint", which just hurt. so I don't know, it might be worth looking into if you dont want to take any time off. but there is one problem.. because it was a small company i'm not sure if they sell internationally. But all the same, the supporter is called "Bochikun" its really thin, and just pretty damn good. Hope that helped

Hi

I am day five post op after having both feet done.  My experience has been that from day one I have been able to walk on my heels in special shoes to the bathroom.  Day one on my return from hospital I was able to walk from taxi to house using walking frame.  I found I could not balance well enough on crutches.  When the physio assessed me in hospital she said I could only go home if I could balance well enough using frame and could manage for a couple of days without using stairs. Day 2 post op I was able to get up stairs to bed by late evening. I went up backwards on my but using my heels to push me up. I would not have gotten through the last five days without husband however each day you get a little better and I feel I could have gotten

 by today if he had returned to work. 

One thing I will say is that be prepared for the pain to intensify 24 hours after op.  Day 2 post op was much more painful for me as this is when the nerve block wore off. Take your pain meds on time as I found that they seemed to take a long time to work if they had left my system completely.   When your feet really hurt ice seems to help and make it bearable again.  Packets of peas under my heels and over my ankles seem to work well and i found i wanted this every couple of hours the first few days but by day 4 only a couple of times. It is painful but it does get better everyday after day 2.  On day 5 post op it is there in the background but I find I can go 6 hours between meds easily.  I slept through the night for the first time last night.

Allthough I keep my feet elevated whilst resting I find that my feet get very stiff and this makes them very uncomfortable.  Although it seems counter intuitive I find regularly lowering them for a few minutes and getting up to take a few steps really helps them feel comfortable again.

I definitely do not regret having both feet done although I do think you will need a carer for at least 3 days as you can walk a little and manage the basics in the bathroom but that will be about the limit of your strength and capability. 

I have to decide if I will have bunion surgery. I would like to have both feet done at the same time and find your info very helpful.

Like you I don't want to loose my conditioning and have to do a double recovery period. 

Need to purchase more long dresses and loose clothes.  Any other suggestions would be helpful.

How did you keep the feet elevated without a hospital bed? Will buy the wine coolers...can put them to good use after the recovery period.

Good morning, I am scheduled to have both feet done Monday next week.  Back in January the doctor and I agreed on doing it twice so I would only take one block of time off work.  After a visit with him yesterday, he is now saying that he only wants to do one to allow for 'better quality of life'  for recovery purposes.  I already prepped my self mentally plus make work arrangments to have me off for one block of time (8 weeks).  Even the hospital has me scheudled for both.   I too would rather get it all done at once.  Thanks everyone for all your comments and reports on the procedure and recovery. Really helps me get a better grasp of what I'm facing next week.

Hi, I had both feet done exactly 3 weeks ago today. I am a runner and a keen cyclist. My main concern was being forced to become inactive for 6 weeks. (I am 50) I didn't want to take 2 lots of time off work either. 

The Op was fine, they give you an anaesthetic block which lasts for 12 hours, this stop you feeling any pain. This worked well for me and I woke up from the general feeling pretty good. The worst part of the whole procedure was my reaction to Co Codamol which was prescribed as my pain killer, it made me feel dizzy and sick. I tried Tramadol next which was equally as bad. I researched online and decided to just stick to  Ibroprofen and paracetamol only. I didn't wait to be in pain I just took them regularly as directed on the packs. I've not had terrible pain at all. Whether I am lucky or the painkillers did the job I don't know but my recovery has been so much better than I thought it would. I was discharged the same night and they had me walking on my heels in special shoes which they give you. You do have to rest and relax though. You can't stand or walk for long as your feet will throb. This is realistically for about 2/3 weeks. I still can't walk for a long time but each day I can do more and my feet look amazing. I am so pleased. my job meant that I managed to borrow a wheelchair from work. This has been a godsend as it means I can go out for long walks with my family. The time whizzed by and actually I'm such a busy person it has been quite nice being forced to sit and relax. 

The operation was apparently successful. I've just had my first check up and I had my first shower today. I'm hoping to start slowly jogging in 2 months but we will see. I hope this helps.

Hi, my daughter had double bunion surgery nine days ago. She has had both big toes realigned and permanently pinned - the pins will never be removed. She had one hammer toe and that pin will be removed in 6 weeks.  The only reason our surgeon agreed to do both feet at the same time is because of her age - 26 and because she is hoping to get into veterinary college in 5 months time.  I have had both my feet operated on in the last 18 months, (9 hammer toes), and my son had massive foot sugery after a terrible car accident five years ago, so I knew what to expect and how to nurse my daughter. Foot sugery is incredibly painful and is a long, slow process. You need a great deal of support from family and friends and whatever you do dont take any shortcuts.  I firmly believe only 50% of a successful outcome comes from the surgeon and the other 50% from the patient.  Physio, Physio Physio and time. 

So, to anyone considering any form of foot surgery do so with a positive attitude, an open mind and plenty of support after all we live on our feet.