Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

in uk and I am sure US you can buy silicone toe separators. Think Scholl do them too.

Just google gel toe separators and up they come. Now Ladies, unless you have had life long dreams about being foot models don't waste time on how cosmetically we may or may not be at the end of this, just think we will be able to buy shoes and walk when we want too - hoorah. I have lived for 3 years in plastic crocs and will be able to go to a shoe shop!

AND the added bonus that we have found our husbands and friends have been very good to us and we have felt cared for. All good. Now found a difference. In America you call it the Hokey Pokey here the Hokey Kokey just to check then - Bunions are things on the side of your feet aren't they???

Jilly you crack me up! I will never be a foot model but I do need my feet to be a lot narrower so as to fit normal shoes. I discovered crocs last summer when we moved to the country, perfect for popping in and out of the kitchen door all the time without having do do laces or straps etc. I will still be wearing mine, but will they fit?! I just think having gone thru all this and I know I have a lot longer to go being 11 days in, I'd like to enjoy looking at my feet for the first time in my adult life and not be ashamed if them!

Sleep well ladies.

Hi all, Dr. Jill's Gels makes toes spacers and pads for every foot problem. My doctor gave me the kit after surgery and I used them religiously from the start of week two post op. You can find them through Amazon.

Best, Angela

Hi Ladies

Just shows you we have too much time on our hands. I didn't know that about the hokey pokey/cokey Jill. Wikipedia knows so much. In fact even Ireland call it hokey pokey! it's just us Brits who are different.

Back to the feet. I seem to have one good day and one where I feel I am going backwards. Yesterday my foot felt really "stiff" and hurt across the top, today it feels much better. I do still get sharp shooting pains every now and then, especially where the bone was shaved. Does anyone else experience this? Suppose it's all normal. I'm 4 weeks post op today. Only another 2 before pin is taken out of 2nd toe. Can't wait for that.

The shape of my foot does look better. It is still an odd colour. Looks 'suntanned.' I too dream of wearing pretty shoes. Can't bear the thought of high heels though. Just to have a pair on and not feel as thou I'm wearing odd sized shoes would be great. I think some of the worst bunions I've seen are Victoria Beckham's. how she wears high heels I'll never know!

What shall we do today. Read, watch a DVD. Learn how to use my new camera? Google for shoes? Go out in the garden in the sunshine for 10 mins. Such choices.

I am grateful to you all for these chats and good ideas. I think I would feel quite isolated if I hadn't come across this forum.

Morning all

Thanks Angela I had a look last night stand found some on e bay. I will check out the ones you recommended on amazon today, I prefer recommendation!

Jan it's true about time, I've been able to sort my e mails etc. for example, of course of lot of things I would like to do aren't possible due to mobility at the moment. Eg get up to my allotment!

Yes I have varying days too tho I'm behind you in terms of recovery. Yesterday wasn't good, perhaps due to bad night in part, I slept better last night despite my cat wanting as ever since surgery, to lie on my feet. Guess she's trying to heal (heel!?) them but she doesn't get the message bless her. Sometimes I get the those ghostbunion pains too, worse than before Lol! I'm suntanned too I think it's the antiseptic they used. When I walked a bit last night my right foot looked straighter - I'm still bandaged and in the Velcro shoes. Poor old lefty didn't look so good, perhaps because I can't weight bear so much on it, it was my worse foot and has lots,of steri strips as well as the stitches so they obviously had more problems tidying it up!

Have a good day ladies and keep posting I love it. Today is another day nearer a new foot life!

VJ

Thanks for the tip Angela. I have ordered some Dr Jill's.

Beth

Right ladies, stitches out and bandages off tomorrow and hopefully finally I can wash my feet, goodness knows how they smell! Did you manage to wear any of your shoes/footwear, I'm imagining it will just be too sore. From those ahead of me, do give me your experiences/advice. I'm giving up with the Velcro shoes they just seem to hurt in all the wrong places! Thank you and I hope you're all doing ok. Got an outing in ten days for Dad's 90th, wondering what if anything I will be able to put on my feet, and a wedding the week after! VJ

Hi VJ Good luck tomorrow. You will get to see your beautiful feet. I had to carry on wearing my boot (and still am). It will be interesting to find out what you are advised regards next step and shoes. let us know how you get on.

Jan

Good luck vj. Do let us know how you get on. I will be interested to hear if and what sort of shoes you might be able to wear. From internet searches it seems that sneakers are often recommended. I think that is because I am living in the USA and people here tend to wear sneakers. I didn't grow up with sneakers but with shoes and sandals as a child in the UK and I have always found sneakers very uncomfortable except for some exercise class. I would therefore like to know what is recommended for you. My sister had the surgery done in the UK and wore some velcro fastening sandals afterwards. That way she could adjust the straps as she needed. It was summer though and she found some cheerful red ones.

I have been wondering whether to get a pair in advance but am making myself hold off until I get the boot off and can try some on. I find myself a little too tempted to internet shop with all this time on my hands and a computer conveniently nearby. I am already the proud owner of several books which were used bargains from a certain online book company! I also definitely need the soon to arrive supply of body lotion and shower gel too.

Good luck with your shoe shopping etc. Beth

Hi foot buddies. Yep I know about the internet shopping too! I found the hospital Velcro shoes too uncomfy so I'm wearing a thick pair of socks over the bandages til tomorrow. It's fine to do that Indoors.

I can't imagine wearing my trainers (sneakers) for a while yet. I'm thinking ballet shoes if all else fails, be a good few years since I wore them!!

I will keep posting and also welcome Input for those ahead if me on early footwear post day 14! Best. V

Well Good luck tomorrow VJ, and hope all goes well. I went today though I am only 1 week in as I was unhappy with the very thick cast I had on. They removed it and gave me a very fetching purple one instead. Don't have to go back now till 6 wk visit. But the foot looks amazing - took a foot selfie!! Was amazed at how long the scar is considering I have had virtually no pain!!Not even any bruising or swelling! Am going to start going downstairs next week and working the week after in small doses, there is no point sitting up here if I can work as I am paying someone else to do my job so very costly!! I know I am lucky and hope you all fair well too. Night all you bunioners xx

Morning bunion less bloggers hope you're all doing well. Hi Jilly I don't want to sound bossy but I was told six weeks off my feet before I did much so I was concerned to read you're thinking of cooking in your cafe again after only three weeks. The warning I was given was to stop or reduce swelling, keep your feet up. My swelling has gone down a lot tho the scars are still very sore. So do look after yourself. I know I have the luxury of not rushing back to work, and doing so,would normally be my default too. A lady on another forum is back at work as a teacher and has major swelling difficulties. She has to ice her foot during the day. Enough from me about that.

Looking forward to a proper look at the feet and a proper bath or shower! VJ

Hi Jill

Be careful not to overdo it too quickly. You are lucky not to have bruising, but as for the swelling, it's probably because you have been resting and doing as you have been told. I am week 5 and my foot only swells if I try to do too much. I still ice about twice a day. it has certainly helped.

I know it's hard and I am looking forward to going back to our cafe, but you don't want to set yourself back by rushing things.

Nag over!! just be careful

Jan x

Thanks VJ and I know you are right luckily my husband does the cooking so I will go slowly. I suppose I am in a false sense of security as I have been so lucky with no pain or swelling but you are right must go slowly so I don't get it!!

Hi all

I'm new to the thread - 23, female from Sheffield, UK. I've just had bunion surgery on my right foot (op was Wednesday). I was a day patient in hospital and managed to walk up and down a flight of stairs with my heel weight bearing boot on before they would discharge me. I had a pain blocker on my foot which the anaesthetist said would last up to 36hrs. I had op at 12pm on Weds and pain started about 6pm that night (discharged at 4).

Since then I've had no trouble sleeping but had a few dizzy episodes on Thursday where I nearly collapsed on my way to the loo. After such a successful walk in hospital, I was so surprised at how excruciating the pain is when walking. Blocker completely worn off now and I'm staggering paracetamol and dihyrdocodeine. Can barely manage to walk to the toilet without my foot being so painful and I feel like it's going to explode.

Pain a lot better today whilst my foot is elevated but I'm just hoping that the pain eases while walking in the next couple of days - can anyone offer any advice on this? Was it easier to walk after a certain point?

Thanks!

Beth no 2 xx