Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined

Goodness I do feel the lucky one here in the Uk. Day 3 post op virtually no pain except for my back aching

from being in bed all the time! Only have a small plaster cast which is ok though may get changed

tomorrow. I have showered last night with a Limbo and am going downstairs this afternoon (only to

middle floor though!) Given up on the stronger drugs too only paracetamol now. Foot though elevated still all the time! I feel more sorry for my husband - its sunny here and he cant get down the harbour!!

Morning everyone. I am very jealous of Jilly having a shower. I was told under no circumstances was I to use a Limbo as the steam could affect my pin. My husband said I should get one. I have a problem at the moment with my pin. It seems to be making its own way out. Has anyone out there got a pin?

I find it better not to go into the kitchen as my husband is a bit untidy and I will want to do too much. Bless him, he is doing his best and I think he will be glad when this is all over.

By the way did you all have to wear those surgical stockings for 2 weeks. It was such a relief when they came off.

Carol, you were very brave flying but you would not have wanted to miss your sisters b'day. Glad you had a good time.

Jan

I am glad to hear that everyone is doing so well. I feel that I am coming along in leaps and bounds (not literally). The sun was shining here yesterday and we had a brief respite from the cold. My husband took me out for a short drive in the car as I was feeling a bit housebound. It was so lovely to be outside even just briefly. I think I can begin to drive now as it is my left foot but I am not yet sure how much time I will be able to manage doing my funny heel walking with the aircast so am hanging on. I sort of have visions of myself being marooned somewhere.

I sympathise with the kitchen untidiness as I took have an enthusiastic but untidy home cook here!

Good luck everyone. Beth

Hi all. Waking up to a beautiful day in Atlanta. I just wanted to share that I had a bit of a set back. My healing had been moving along very well with just a little pain and no swelling at week 3 so I started to do WAY too much. I didn't think that some driving or trying to do a little straightening (with no pressure on foot) could be such a problem. The pain in the evenings started to ramp up but I chalked that up to healing. Not so. Doctor unwrapped my foot at week 3 check up and said 'Oh Boy'. I knew that wasn't good! So I am back on

complete rest for 5 days. Ugh. And no pressure for 10. Just my exercises. I couldn't believe it and of course my husband was heading out of town for 5 days. So please be ultra mindful. I learned that just because my

recovery is relatively smooth sailing didn't mean I was healed. And everyone asks if this has been worth it and of course the answer so far has been 100% yes! To not have the awful bunion pain

anymore and a straight foot is my motivator to finally accept a messy house, dirty laundry and frozen Amys dinners. I did get 500 pages of digital photo books made as well from photos of the last 8 years. So I have something to show for this time other than finishing the series Breaking Bad. Haha. Carol-- so happy to hear you could fly! I have a trip planned for three weeks from now and you gave me hope that I can go! Thanks everyone for your posts. I'm sure no one here ever thought they would be in a Bunion Chat group! But it has been so helpful to me as the weeks tick by.

Hi, Laura.

I can relate to doing too much and paying for it. I had my surgery three weeks ago, and am finally feeling a bit better. I'm weaning myself off the Percoset and Ibuprofen. The stiches came off a week ago, and the doctor now has me in a surgical stocking to reduce the swelling. I can wear a "walking boot". But I'm far from 100%, even though definitely improved. It is still quite painful to put the surgical stocking on and actually agonizing to take it off, though.

So, as to doing too much: A couple of days ago, I went (via taxi) to pick up some prescriptions, wearing walkng boot. The drugstore is right across the street from a big department store, so I walked a ways to the cosmetics counter. Then my foot really started hurting and I went outside in the freezing cold and finally hailed a taxi. My foot ached very badly all afternoon and evening. So I learned my lesson -- don't rush it.

One weird good thing is that, even though I'm stuck at home and don't go outside, my "muffin top" is going down. I couldn't figure out why, since I'm inactive. Then I realized that because I'm stuck inside, I can't do my weekly walk to a store that sells delicious and very fattening side dishes. Talk about silver lining!

I know some of you have a sweet tooth. I do too. One thing that I find helps is dark chocolate squares, 60 calories each. Don't want to name brand. Think San Francisco. I can eat half and that helps cut my appetite, and if I eat the other half, so what, it's only 60 calories total.

Good luck all, and don't rush things! Even if you think you're feeling better, think first before going out!

Hi everyone,

Good to have continued feedback, and yes can you ever have thought you'd be an on line forum re survivors of bunion surgery!

I'm personally much better today, after changing the bandaging but I really know I can't do much and I've learned over the weekend as soon as I walk too much, ouch it hurts again big time.

Nice tip re the chocolate, one of my fears re these six weeks of inactivity was oh no weight gain - inevitable, but I seem to be managing ok so far, and I'm not going near the scales to check it out. My husband seems to finally be hearing that I won't eat if I'm not hungry as this inactivity does affect the appetite. Yes I too am learning the far from easy task of ignoring the mess in the kitchen, being slow with laundry etc. it's not important in the scheme of things and we've just got someone to come in once a week now to help with cleaning which is a relief.

Laura thanks for the warning. We live in quite an isolated village so really apart from getting some sun and seeing the wonderful scenery there is little point in me going anywhere - no temptation. I know I cannot drive for six weeks so I just accept, I'm in the village and making the most of neighbours dropping by for coffee etc. the weather was so lovely today my husband and one of our boys who was visiting, took me out for a walk in the wheelchair. It was great to feel the sun on my face, and in February :-)

I think these weeks are all about taking good care aren't they? We all want our feet to be different so are prepared to go through several weeks of rest and pain. I hope I'm still feeling this positive five weeks down the line, but I also know when I'm walking again, it's on with advertising for new work and time to get that puppy :-)

Interesting what you day Beth, so even with a single foot and not both, tho you could drive, what happens when you reach your destination is still quite limiting. I'm glad to have done the bilateral op and to be given the chance, I think I would have "lost" so many more months and time is ever precious as we get older.

Keep up the resting folks, both sides of the pond, and keep posting, it helps the hours go by. Best. VJ

Now this driving thing makes me realise you are mostly from America whereas I am in England. We have 3 pedals in our cars so no driving for me for weeks!! Trouble is my husband cant drive as got eye problem but boy can he cook!!! No chance of me loosing muffin tops (Another US term I have no idea about!!) Ref the Limbo - I do not have a pin only screws that stay in but there was no moisture inside that was the whole point of it. Prob good idea to wrap small towel round foot b4 putting on though. Us ladies need a shower - could manage without one. Its night time here now so goodnight all. PS I like these chats!

Hi Jilly. I'm in the UK but do happen to have an auto car. However having had both feet done, I'm not allowed behind the wheel for a minimum of six weeks and then have to be able to perform an emergency stop first. and as pointed out earlier, even if you can drive somewhere you still need to be able to walk round!

I wasn't given any limbo bags but am able to sit in the shower on a small stool with my feet outside wrapped in a towel just in case. Can also bathe by lying in the bath empty, with my feet either side of the taps and then filling it up. Empty before getting out, however I've not tried to get out alone in case I fall back so my husband helps me up. Sometimes it's nicer than what feels like half a shower if you can't get the water all round the body. My hubby is also cooking well, I'm just trying to be really careful re input but am sure the muffin top may increase over six weeks! Were you told to do any foot exercises btw? I had no post op advice other than feet up for six weeks 90% of the time?

I can't imagine at six weeks everything is suddenly ok again either, I know the swelling can persist for months, particularly with lack of rest. I have to say I have fibromyalgia and arthritis too both of which are positively benefitting from all this resting, instead of me charging round far too much. I wonder if six weeks will be enough time for me to have a different outlook on how I am on a daily basis, I do hope so.

Sleep,well foot friends 👣VJ

Good morning, all. Jillyco, in case someone hasn't told you yet, a "muffin top" is what we "ladies of a certain age" (57 here) get when we gain extra weight and some of it settles around your tummy and back, so when you wear a pair of pants or a skirt even slightly tight at the waist (whether natural or low waist), the waistband pushes up the fat such that it bulges all around the waistband and the bulge therefore looks like a muffin top. Charming. When I start walking again, I hope the rest of it goes. And I hope lots of you are thin ladies and don't have to deal with a muffin top!

Best,

Susan

I have decided to try to fend off the muffin top by not eating any white flour products over the next few weeks so I am going to see how that goes. Now I have publicly stated this goal I will have to try to stick to it.

I have been wiggling my toes as if 'picking up marbles' since day 1. My doctor told me to continue this until the 6 week mark. I am then going to have some physiotherapy as I want to strengthen my feet so I can walk and jog in the future. I had so many problems with aching and injuries in my feet which is one of the reasons I had the surgery.

I am wondering whether to try to do some sitting exercises perhaps with light weights. Ideas anyone?

My nice hubby took me out for another drive in the car this afternoon as the sun was shining again (hurrah!) even though it was cold.

Happy Monday everyone. Beth

Beth, I like the "picking up marbles" visual. I will try that. So funny, I just had my kids set up a workout mat, a crunch bar and 5lb weights. I have been sitting here looking at them but if I decide to try it out, I will let you know. All exercises can be done with foot above heart. We'll see.

So another day begins. Didn't sleep too well. Unfortunately I had to come off HRT and my hot sweats are really beginning to bug me. My pin is also sticking out of the dressing and catching on the duvet. I will have to investigate that one. I am going to try giving a bath a go today as hubby with me in case I get 'beached'. I am also going to order a limbo. I should have done it a long time ago.

I was also told to wiggle toes, not that they wiggle much but even a little must help. I have also started to do sit ups by putting my lower legs on the sofa (just the right height for me) and doing gentle sit ups and side twists. In my day muffin top was called a spare tyre or if you could pinch an nice then you had one! I am going to try with weights while I am on the floor.

My appetite seems to have increased and craving for things I never would have eaten. My neighbour also delivered some homemade scones, not just 1 but 4. Very nice they were too, but it's not helping my cause.

I too am in the UK and have an auto car. I was told that the type of job I have (own a cafe and I cook all day), that it would be at least 8 if not 10 weeks before I could go back. I have a friend who had bilateral surgery and he overdid it and it delayed his recovery. He warned me to do as I was told.

Look forward to see how everyone is doing today. It would be so easy to feel completely isolated without these posts.

Jan

Love the idea of the sit ups using the sofa - I am definitely going to give those a go. I thought I might pull out a pilates dvd and see what might be suitable to do without putting weight on my foot (not necessarily attempt for a few days) I too am more familiar with spare tyre than muffin top.

I did not sleep well either - if I can get my foot comfortable after a while my knee begins to ache. Not sure why. Light snow here again.

I too find this forum very helpful. Thanks to everyone for their tips.

Best Wishes Beth

Hello all, just an update, I am 4 weeks post op and this will be my last post. My foot has healed beautifully and yet at one time I was very nervous for the outcome. Today I had an appointment and the doctor took x rays. I walked in my bare foot without that boot for the first time in weeks! Also, this will be my last week wearing that giant boot and I'm walking in sneakers (so happy)!! After these 4 weeks of dealing with hoping around, and crutching up and down those stairs, the final outcome is worth it all! There is no pain whatsoever but still tenderness as it is still a fresh scar.

Good luck to you all, I hope this journey and the outcome is as successful for you as it was for me!!!

Hey Lime. That is great news. Good luck and thanks for posting your progress it's very Encouraging to those like me who are following behind you. I'm 11 days now. Last night I had to undo one bandage as one foot was in agony not on the op site but the outer edge of the foot. Very strange. I had the bandages renewed yesterday so maybe it was just too tight. Anyone else experienced this?

Enjoy your beautiful new feet and go shopping when you can for some "proper" shoes!

👣 😄VJ