Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Rebecca and Mike, my sister in-law's mother had both feet done using the new procedure. She is 78 years old, and still active. Talk to your doctor. It may be impractical to do one foot when both feet warrant surgery, especially if you're having the traditional surgery.

I am a teacher (middle school) and I had both feet done - traditional with one screw in each foot. My dr. has me on 8 wks disability, and I am not allowed to be at school. When I work I am on my feet all day. Although I could modify that, there are inherent "dangers" in being with adolescents in a school setting, and one bad bump or knock to a foot could undo the surgery at this early stage. The dr. told me that the biggest consideration when having surgery is "when can you give me 8 weeks?". I had to time it for when I could get help (my husband works in landscaping, so summer would be out for me) and try to miss the least amount of work. I scheduled my surgery/recovery to go over the holiday season as to miss the least amount of work.

If you are a student, you might have an easy time of it with the use of technology and online classrooms. One of my sections uses an online component, so I am still able to work with my students for a little while. If your teachers allow you to use online resources and you have good materials, it might not be so bad to be at home. The first week was the only time that I was in pain and really needed to rest. After that, there is little pain (I follow the drs orders and keep off my feet for the most part of the day) and I have plenty of time to work on the computer, read or watch video. I would not advise going anywhere where there are large groups of people, crowds, or horsing around.

You need to be able to baby your bones until they properly heal. With that in mind, carefully consider when the timing is right for your procedure.

Do they put you to sleep during the operation or do they just numb your foot. I have a low pain tolerance.

In my case, I was given a pain block and mild sedative to put me to sleep, but not general anesthesia. Surgery lasted about 90 minutes and I was conscious right after they wrapped my foot with the bandages.

My pain was minimal even after the pain block wore off the next day but I started pain meds that evening and took them for the next 5 days and then stopped.

Hi All,

I am one week today on the second bunion surgery. The right foot was done Oct 31st. I had been back into somewhat normal shoes (a size larger with room and support) with little or no pain for about a week. I wore the boot from week 2 - week 5. Each week got a little better. Still some swelling at days end. I am still not able to wiggle big toe very much. The Dr. seemed to think this was normal and has me doing range of motion exercises with my big toe 5 times a day. I went back to work after 2 weeks and 2 days. I am an outside sales rep, which requires me to drive (with the good left foot) a lot and get in and out of my car to make 6-8 sales calls per day. I had the second one done Dec 26th. Second one seems a little slower to quit hurting; or I've forgotten how slow those 1st 2 weeks are. At least I can drive with my right foot, allowing my left booted foot to rest comfortably to the side. My recommendation for preperation is to have a small basket near your bedside or bathroom. Have Neosporin, ace bandage, gauze pads, dry tape, scissors and vitamin E cream in the basket. You also will want something to cover your foot for showering. I used a gallon size Ziploc bag and a small wastepaper basket trash bag with elastic bands to keep dry.

Good luck with your surgery and keep us posted.

I am five days out from having bunion surgery on both feet at once, and am doing amazingly well. No swelling or pain. I have occasional "flares" of discomfort, but no need to take any pain medication. Like many others, I had ankle blocks so zero pain on the day of surgery. These lasted for 16 hours. I have religiously elevated, iced and used anti- inflammatories. Used SinEcch pre and post surgery to help with swelling and bruising. This stuff is great. Taking high doses of supplements to speed healing. Not yet walking, I rented a regular wheelchair for the house and another geared model to navigate hills outside while walking the dog.

I'm exercising upper body to stay active, and even got to my gym yesterday.

My surgery involved the typical reshaping of the union joint, and die-hard wedges on two bones in each foot. A bone spur was identified during surgery, and they removed that. So: six incisions and bone cuts. It wanted to share my story to let others know that union surgery isn't necessarily a horror show.

This is like a vacation for me! I will add that I've really cut back on what I consume. With limited physical activity, I'm not burning through as many calories as usual , and I note that I feel cold...I usually run hot.

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I had bunion surgery last Wednesday (8.1.14) I was taking tramadol and diclofenic because these were prescribed for me. I have lowered the dose daily and today is my first day without. I am not in pain and am sleeping well. The crutches are hard work and so is the funny shoe. I am keeping my foot elevated all the time except for toilet visits. When I come downstairs in the morning I put everything I need into a cloth shoulder bag (phone, iPad, kindle, tablets etc) because I can't carry things and use my crutch' (only use 1 indoors) the bag comes back upstairs at night time. I have an appointment for the 21st so hope all is well.

Imy surgery was yesterday morning. No pain until 10:30 then it hit hard. My question is that it diesn't hurt where he cut, but on the opposite side. He told my husband to cut the bandage it that happened. He has done so twice, but hates to cut much more. Anyone else feel this opposite side extreme burning? My foot is propped up in bed. I have ice under ankle to knee. Haven't resorted to pill yet & really hate to take one if I can tough it out. Please advise. Thnx. Carol

I can't imagine having both feet done at once. I am using a knee walker to get to bathroom which works great. I gave in and took my first pain pill at 2:00 a.m.--1/2 a tramadol as I am 104 lbs and sensitive to drugs. Icing with borrowed ice water machine & keeping foot up except for bathroom trips. Only pain is still on side opposite bunion. Still no sleep but some relief now, so maybe that will come soon. It helps to share with others who understand. Been reading Scripture and thinking positively, also deep breathing. I need a yoga coach who does house calls! Great neighbors brought supper last night. Life is good. I just wasn't prepared for this burning pain. It will be ok again before long, I am sure. Carol

I am adverse to taking narcotics for pain but did so initially because it was strongly advised. Take half a tablet to ease some of the discomfort if necessary.

I didn't have pain at the surgery site but was very sore where the pain blocks were injected and this lasted for 6 weeks!

The best advice I can give anyone is to rent/borrow or buy an ice machine. Best investment I ever made.

Hi again. It's Carol on 7th day from bunion/hammertoe surgery reporting in. It does get better after awhile, but I am still needing 1/2 dose of tramadol every 4 hours to keep pain down enough to bear it. Ice machine and knee walker for bathroom trips are so helpful. Can't imagine post op without them. Other than toilet trips, I am staying down with foot elevated &Iced.dr. Rebandaged yesterday, this time not so tight, thankfully. He said it looked good, no infection, & to keep on doing same care until the 27th when he will remove stitches and give me a "boot." today is first day I even got any reading done, but I am planning to do much more. My concern is my osteoporosis and inability to do wt.bearing exercises for so long. Any suggestions for keeping that up while recuperating? Hoping all the rest of you are healing well and not suffering too much. Thanks for notes that have been so helpful. Carol178187

I am suppose to have surgery on March 19 and I am really nervous. I have bunions on both feet but the right is the worst. I have bunions on both sides of my foot and a hammer toe. The posts I have read here give conflicting reports on the surgery and how bad the recovery is. I understand that people are different and

recovery will be different for everyone. However, I have to think that the doctor will make a difference. How

do you find the best doctor to do this surgery? I live in NE Georgia. Do any of you feel your doctor was awesome and your recovery was really good compared to most?

I would love to hear from those that were getting around so quickly as to how you located the doctor, what questions you asked....that sort of thing. I would love names, but doubt that it's allowed to list doctors here.

Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I'm thinking about just canceling it all togather.