Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Kim, same here , I felt dizzy and light headed at my consultant appointment, wishing they would give you a fact sheet, or something written down, I had questions but just wanted to get away out of the room do never asked.

Got all my dressings off. Think I will need to cover the scar area with something though, don't want to put Velcro shoe/slipper on without any protection.

Hi Kim

Your op experience sounded exactly the same as mine. I also needed more anaesthetic. I had my ipod on, but the nurse kept talking to me and I had to keep taking earphones out. I didn't really want to hear what was going on. At one point I thought the surgeon was going to tug so hard, he was going to pull me off the bed!

They had to lay me down when snipping stitches and taking my pin out. I think it's the thought of it that makes us feel hot and faint.

I'm surprised you are asked to put trainers on at this early stage. I am only just able to get into mine at 7 weeks post op.

Hi Joan,

Yes I just had to get out of that room into the fresh air!

I think I'll ring up the clinic to check details. I was given a spongy sort of bandage which I assume I have to use after washing the foot to protect it from rubbing or being bumped.

I just can't face moving the toe by hand at the moment, it's just too painful, though I know it's a necessary evil.

Hi Jan,

I was surprised about the trainers and also that I didn't need the crutches now, especially because at my original appointment I was told I'd need 8 weeks off work so I thought it would be a slow recovery.

Pity I was feeling so ill, otherwise I'd have asked questions.

(This post may appear twice as my first one just disappeared!)

Hi Jan, Kim, we all sound like we have the same post op care plan, if we can get the would wet now. Do you think that we would be able to go swimming soon. Kim, I didn't wiggle my toes either when they said, it was causing too much pain, but can have a wee wiggle now. Just go with what your body tells you.

After the initial excitement of getting the boot off and feeling more normal, this morning I feel quite weak and my toe is a bit sore.

I am currently wearing a pair of velcro sandals in the house. I am thinking of putting on some trainers/sneakers when I go out later as you made a good point Jan about needing to protect my toe. I found that my Birkenstock clogs felt a bit tight and uncomfortable yesterday as my foot was quite swollen.

Jan, I asked for physio because I am leaving here (USA) for the UK at the end of May for a couple of months so wanted an exercise plan in place before hand. I begin on Monday and have decided to be quite cautious until I see what is the best exercise for me to do. I am clearly quite out of shape so hope I can build up strength fairly quickly.

Joan, I think you should check about swimming because I wonder if you toes might move too much in the water. Also, would you be able to get in and out of the pool safely? I am just fussing.

I also found having my stitches out quite painful and had to really grit my teeth.

Have a good day everyone. Older Beth

Also, with swimming you can get an infection in the wound.

Thanks Beth and Kim, I will definately check especially about the infection thingy in swimming, probably not quite ready yet, maybe at the 6 weeks mark, off to Spain then, recouperate in the sunshine.

hullo everyone, greetings from sunny South Africa! It was so wonderful to find this forum and see that all the pain and discomfort is normal, wish I'd found it sooner. I had a "bunion repair and tendon reconstruction" on my right big toe on 25th March. I didn't think I had a bunion, I got a big palm tree splinter stuck in my big toe 4 years ago which was removed under local - the pain was getting progressively worse and I couldn't lift my big toe so I thought the tendon had been damaged and that's why my big toe was turning in. So after all this pain I hope the surgeon got it right by doing a bunion repair! I also had no idea that I would have to be so immobile - all I was told was that I'd have to wear a cast and not be able to drive for 6 weeks. So on day 6 post op I decided to start weaning myself off the pain killers as my tummy had been so messed up by the anaesthetic and the codeine, and that I really had to stop being a hypochondriac and start getting up.... tried sitting with my laptop at the table, but soon learnt that that wasn't going to work. But got my husband to drive me down to the beach to sit there while he walked our dogs, popped into my shop on the way home and walked around a bit, thinking all the time that the burning and feeling like my foot was going to burst was because I'd had it up for too long and had to endure it to get the juices flowing again.... And so as you all know, boy did I suffer afterwards. It was then that I googled post op bunion surgery recovery and care, and found this great site! So thanks everyone for sharing your experiences, it really helps to hear that someone else is going through the same. I had bad shooting pain last night even though I'm now trying to be good and keep my foot up, and my husband's first response was it is infected - so again, great to hear that it's part of the process. Anyway I plan to give my surgeon a jolly good grilling when I see him in 6 days time for my first post op visit, but probably will be my usual meek and mild self and forget everything he tells me by the time I get home - it would be so helpful if I'd been given some literature on what to expect as I see some hospitals/surgeons do. Anyway I was given a Velcro boot to go home from the hospital in and certainly wouldn't be comfortable walking at all without it, and I'm using crutches too. My husband is home on leave for 3 weeks so I'm very fortunate to have him taking great care of me too - I don't really have to get up for anything other than the toilet and the shower so I'm trying to enjoy the opportunity to rest, but it is just so boring and frustrating - would love to be able to have a swim!! Happy healing

Hi all

I think I'm on day 23 now ( both feet operated on on the 13th March,)

I think that's the same as Joan ?

This forum has without a doubt been a life line for me answering many queries that were in my mind but not in the pamphlet that I got from the hospital, although the advice to elevate my feet has paid dividends.

I also love the idea of placing your feet in salt water once all the dressings are off, I know that Jan is ahead of me by 4 weeks and standing in a cafe all day now - I realise that sometimes there are no choices when we have a specific life style or job role, but that sounds very tough at the under 8 week mark, even if you had just one foot done I guess there's a temptation to put all your weight on the other leg.

As for swimming

We've just booked a holiday from the 8th May which is almost 8 weeks from the op and I'm wondering if I'll be able to swim in the pool or the sea?

Any thoughts anyone or experience ?

S

Good morning everyone.

Suzzy, swimming/floating in the sea sounds like a wonderful idea. It would seem to me that sea water ought to be quite therapeutic. I am no expert of course so it is always wise to check with a health professional. Staying away from a hot tub or jacuzzi would probably be wise as they have a bad reputation regarding bugs I believe. You might be fine in a pool by that stage depending on what your doctor/physio thinks. Swimming is always supposed to be good therapy.

Jan, I do hope your day in the cafe is not too uncomfortable and that you rest/elevate when you can.

Welcome Patricia - hope your foot feels better soon.

Jan, I can fit into my trainers/sneakers and wore them last night to go out. They were quite comfy actually and my foot felt quite supported. It probably helped that they are too big for me normally. I am wearing my velcro sandals around the house. I wish the sneakers were a better colour as they look a bit obvious and wouldn't be suitable for anywhere formal.

I am looking forward to starting the physio on Monday and finding out what exercises will be best.

I am beginning to feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel at this stage.

Joan, the idea of recuperating in Spain in a few weeks sounds great.

have a great day everyone, Older Beth

Hi all and welcome Patricia..

I will keep it short as really tired. Be careful although only 7 weeks post op and wearing what I thought comfortable skecher mule type shoes, my foot is really swollen and painful, ball of foot feels on fire. Had a bath and now icing. I did rest whenever I could but just goes to show. A long way to go yet.

Having to work again tomorrow, but at least I have next week off.

Since having the big dressing removed I seem to be getting about much better.

If I wear the velcro shoe with an ordinary shoe about the same height on the other (good) foot so that I'm 'balanced' then I don't need the crutches around the house. I am keeping my foot very flat though as I'm worried it might hurt, or I might do it some damage if I let it bend as I walk. I'm still using the crutches outside for security, and as someone said, they show other people that you've got something wrong, and also to protect your foot.

I need to check when I can actually return to work because 8 weeks seems a bit excessive with my progress so far, especially as some people will think ''it's just a bunion operation''. There's been no mention of physio too, so maybe that's not standard procedure.

Since having the big dressing removed I seem to be getting about much better.

If I wear the velcro shoe with an ordinary shoe about the same height on the other (good) foot so that I'm 'balanced' then I don't need the crutches around the house. I am keeping my foot very flat though as I'm worried it might hurt, or I might do it some damage if I let it bend as I walk. I'm still using the crutches outside for security, and as someone said, they show other people that you've got something wrong, and also to protect your foot.

I need to check when I can actually return to work because 8 weeks seems a bit excessive with my progress so far, especially as some people will think ''it's just a bunion operation''. There's been no mention of physio too, so maybe that's not standard procedure.

Anyone still have to take painkillers at nearly 4 weeks post op, my foot been really pretty sore, not sure if I am doing too much or got an infection. My dressing been off since Thursday and stitches been out for 2 weeks.