Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Good luck Lime for the future.

VJ - I did have problems with my outer edge of foot and in the middle on the bottom. When the bandages came off, these areas were bruised. it is quite a trauma for the whole foot, plus I think I tend to walk on the outer edge of my foot so that there is less pressure on the big toe joint. I can't physically put my foot flat on the floor yet. maybe you are the same.

Jan

Yeah for you, Lime! So glad for that great report after four weeks. Mine might have been that good had I not decided to travel by air this past week and be in and out of cars and at family gatherings for three days, but it was worth all the discomfort and new swelling. We are waiting for our connecting flight now. I plan to do nothing but lie with my foot elevated all day tomorrow! I, too, am grateful way more than complaining, but I still advise all to really let that trauma heal well before trying too much too soon, unless, of course, your sis is having an 80th birthday party, and you want to go!!!

Yes, VJ,I did experience the far too tight bandage. Bless you! In fact the first 3 nights my pain on the OPPOSITE side of incisions was the worst pain. It, too, shall heal, but right now, I still have scabs there where the skin was actually rubbed off.

By the way, if anyone HAS to travel, SW Airlines was very accommodating, with pre boarding for those in wheelchairs. My husband was able to also have more leg

space as my companion. He says to save my surgical shoe for any future flights!Ha!

Blessings as you all continue to heal. Carol

BTW, just what is a limbo? That is a party game we played when teenagers!

Carol, thanks for the laugh. Now I think of the game (dance) and the song that went along with it!

Jan, I hope you've resolved that pin issue. And I too thank you for the sit-ups tip. Really a great idea.

I'm still in pain and can't concentrate so I read something and forget the details by a couple of hours later.

I cannot believe how long my recovery is taking -- nearly four weeks now. I may get myself a pair of stilettos to serve as an incentive to get me healing faster in order to walk again (actually, I don't wear stilettos in real life, too bad, but they look so attractive on!)

I send good wishes for a fast recovery to everyone on this forum.

Susan

stilettos are banned now girlies (ps are we all girlies??) A Limbo is a marvellous heavy duty plastic bag

with a stretchy cuff that you wear in the shower. Mine goes over the knee and is wonderful.

Does not let any moisture in so plaster/bandage does not get wet. I have a cast but no pin sticking out so works for me. I am a big girl and there is plenty of room and showering is just bliss.

Now who knows the Hokey Kokey?? You put your left leg in ........

Well done Carol for travelling - I felt uncomfortable just being out in the car for an hour at the weekend so I can't imagine flying right now. As you say you had a good reason.

I know I am fortunate not to have pain or a sticking out pin (you poor things) but I do have fatigue. Yesterday I felt wiped out and had to rest on the sofa during the afternoon. Today it is three weeks since the surgery and I feel better. Does anyone else feel tired? I think I tried to do too much spurred on my my new found freedom courtesy of the boot. Also, I am having some trouble sleeping well. I think it is because I no longer have the dressings on my foot it feels exposed and I worry I might hurt it in some way. Also, I wake in the night and my knee hurts as I must be lying awkwardly. I am wondering what you are doing to relieve discomfort at night?

Many thanks, Beth

Beth, I have experienced every symptom you describe (afternoon fatigue, overdoing it with the boot, waking up in pain during the night). I'm seeing my doctor on Monday. I don't think she'll have anything to say about these symptoms, other than they should go away with the passage of time. Thanks so much, doctor!

Jillyco, you are so funny. I think most of us are girlies (judging by the names). And as to the hokey pokey, my brother and his wife (of 25 years, bless them) insisted on having that as a group dance at their wedding reception!

The only time I participated in a forum was when I was following a really fabulous looking guy on Dancing with The Stars. Those of us on the forum talked about the guy (football player) and then it turned out that some of us were basketball fans so we talked about that too.

You're right about the stilettos, sad to say.

Thanks,Jiilyco,for explaining the limbo. Sounds like a great product. I did the hokey pokey with my left leg inthe tub while sitting in the bench beside the tub edge with my bandaged foot propped up & using the spray hose until I was cleared to get foot wet after having stitches removed. Then my husband put the kitchen stool in the shower for me. That felt so good. We are at our last airport stop before last leg of trip home. I have taken everything off tomorrow except foot up time! Unpacking & laundry can wait! My sweet hubby is going to be as tired as I am. He is 71, & we'll still have a 2-hr drive home after landing. Still so glad to get tobe with my sis and her family for her 80th party, however. We can always rest. We may not always have family! Carol

Thanks Susan I am glad it is not just me. I now feel better.

I so sadly wish that I had worn stilettos. I am sorry that I never have (weak ankles) but have still ended up with foot problems.

In my next life I will have much more fun!

Beth

Ha ha foot bloggers this was a giggle to read tonight. Can I ask you, in the early days did your big toe still bend towards the smaller ones. I'd hoped my foot would look straight after all this but it seems not. I'm just hoping my foot will be slimmer so I can wear normal shoes. I guess with bruising and some swelling still apparent - I'm only 11 days post op it's hard to see what the finished product will be. With hyper mobility and bunions since age 8/9, perhaps I was hoping for too much. I cannot bear that I go thru all this and not be happy with the end product and what with my husband being SO kind and supportive too while I'm out of action. Guess It doesn't help that the pain woke me for a few hours in the night, when normally I've been sleeping ok with pain meds. Seems like I'm looking for reassurance again!! VJ

Beth, I wish I had worn stilettos too, except they were so uncomfortable even when I didn't have bunions. And I gather they're terrible for your feet. But they look sooooo great.

VJ, my big toe is leaning in toward the others, and my doctor has me wearing a folded-up gauze pad between the first and second toes to keep them apart. I think I also saw (in her office?) foam rubber toe separators, like the kind used in pedicures, that look more substantial than folded-up gauze.

Pedicures. Wonder if I'll have one of those again.

Signing off, so good night all.

--Susan

Yeah thanks Susan. I've got gauze there too at the moment and funny enough I was thinking of those separators today too. I've got some I think! I may well get something to wear at night eventually to try and keep the ties straight as I can. No one warned me so I guess I was shocked!

Jan you have my sympathy re the flushes - I've not taken her, just tried to ride it out for the last five years with the flushes! They have to leave sometime. No doubt there is a forum for this too!!

Thanks ladies. Dream of beautiful shoes x

Oops predictive text I meant HRT!

I too am worried my big toe is leaning in again. I periodically take off my socks and compare my feet to see if the surgery really has made a difference. I think I will try the folded up gauze as suggested. My doctor did not suggest this and I had wondered whether to call for advice.

I think I would be extremely disappointed if I had gone through all of this to find it has made no difference. I just dream of some comfortable but more attractive shoes and no aching.

Thanks everyone for your sharing.

Beth

Beth, hi again and thanks So much for sharing that, I'm glad to know I'm not alone. I too had sleep problems last night. I think you're approx ten days ahead of me. Usually codeine 60mg will help me sleep along with a med I normally take for neuro pain, but I get breakthrough nights when it still wakes me up.

I can't get around as much as you as I've had both feet done together, but this is something I've wanted all my adult life (57 now) and I so want my feet to look better. When I've had the bandages off I've taken pics and sometimes I just look at my before and after pics and try and compare! Try the gauze, warning it will keep falling out if your feet are bare! I've been seeing a podiatrist for about three years and she said she could make me some silicone separators which I think would be helpful. Trouble is I can't drive to see her and since we moved in the summer, she is 100 miles away. I may speak with her tho and find someone local to make them for me.

And yes some afternoons I get tired and nap and rest, this is pretty major surgery we have had ladies, lest we forget!