I am 75 yrs old and about to have my first bunion removed

Hi Carol - I am 63 years old and had bunions removed from both my feet on Jan 7th this year. I am an active person normally so the hardest thing for me was to do nothing for the first 2 weeks, and only slowly start to get more mobile as the weeks passed.

I would advise that you have as much help as you can for the first 2 weeks at least - I hate accepting help but it was vital and I had to give in gracefully. I had friends popping in most weekdays when my husband was working - they brought lunch and treats and helped me through those first rather difficult days.

I had pain and discomfort for several days but it was managed with painkillers. Even now at 14 weeks post-op I know when I have been on my feet too long and have to sit down for an hour to get them comfortable again.

The good thing for me being a bit older when I had this op, is that I am retired now and didn't have any pressure to return to work. When I got to about 8 weeks I could manage a lot better with household chores, and after 10 weeks I started driving again and got some independence back! Now I am feeling quite positive as my feet are looking better than they have for many years and most days now I can sort of "forget" about them which I didn't think I would be able to do!

Best of luck and hope things go well for you.

Well, I am 55 which is a bit younger than you but I guess I'm nearer to your age than a lot of people on here. I would say that the main thing for people of any age is to rest, elevate your foot and apply ice. Do you have someone who can provide care for you? My husband has MSA and so although he is doing what he can, that is fairly limited. I would suggest you try to get as much organised pre-op as possible. Get your bed set up with something to support the bedding so it doesn't touch your foot, get some light meals organised, talk to friends and family and accept all offers of help. Even if you are usually fiercely independent you will need support.

Even though I only had one bunion done I spent the first night in hospital and I was very glad I did. My husband would have struggled to give me the level of support I needed in the first 24 hours. The other thing I would recommend is that you look at hiring (or buying) a knee scooter. I had never heard of them until I read this forum but they are so much better than crutches.

Hope it all goes well..

Carol, I'm 67 and had both my feet done on Feb 15...I'm now 8 weeks post-op. I agree with the other comments about being prepared. My husband was a big help during the early weeks but I need him less and less. I started driving at 6 weeks but I still have to be careful and pay attention when my feet are getting tired. I'm in a running shoe much larger and wider than before the surgery. Elevating your feet, taking your meds especially the first few days, and having something to occupy you (TV, books, knitting, etc) is critical. A shower chair, covers for your feet so you can take a shower, a walker and/or crutches or wheelchair, and something to keep the bed covers off your feet are important. Having said all that, this was the best thing I've ever done for myself and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Every time I look at my feet that feeling is reinforced. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes. One last thing...my surgeon recommended taking 2000 iu of vitamin D to help with the healing. He had me start several weeks before the surgery and I will continue for about another month. Since I'm not a spring chicken, it will help with my recovery.

Good luck with the op Carol.

All of the advice offered here is bang on. I am younger than you (53) and had surgery on my left foot in Feb. I am now 7+ weeks post op and feel better everyday.

I wish I had rented a wheel chair for the first couple of weeks as I was non weight bearing and on crutches which was hard. I didn't have much pain after the first 36 hours and confirm the rest, elevate and ice advice given here plus meals in the freezer.

One of the best things was the camwalker boot I got after my two week appointment. It protected my foot and made me much more mobile. If you can get one it might also help you.

I have just finished my first week of physio. I think this is not routinely offered but I asked for it as I also have a foot injury. The sessions and stretching exercises have made such a difference to the flexibility in my foot already. I would recommend it to anyone. Sometimes it pays to be proactive I find.

Best Wishes.

Beth

Hi Carol.

Welcome to the forum ! I'm 70 and had my surgery on March 26th. I live alone so made sure I prepared well to be able to maintain independence. The experience so far for me has been a success and significantly less painful than a lot of horror stories indicate out there. My main helper is my knee scooter. I could not have done this without it. My healing is progressing nicely and I don't think it is any slower than younger people (from what I have been able to judge from reading the forums). My progress is pretty much outlined in my posts in the Hello There thread. I am going to start a new thread on pre-surgery preparation. You will find reading the threads in this forum are hugely helpful and comforting.

Best of luck with the surgery. Which procedure will you be having?

I am 63 and had a Chevron osteotomy and hammertoe. I think the others have said it all. One thing I did that really helped me was buy a shower stool and a suction cup holder for the shower head. I have the kind that is hand held on a long hose. I am able to put the shower head low in the shower and sit on the stool to shower. It is wonderful when you get that first shower.. The other thing is don't push yourself. Rest, keep the foot elevated and use the ice. Don't be a hero and take that pain medicine. It is so much easier to stay on top of the pain rather than try to get it to abate after it has it's nasty teeth in your foot! And the knee walker, a must! It made my life so much easier. Mine just went back to the rental place on Friday and I am mourning it's loss...lol Let people help you as much as possible. You will be fine. The bunion surgery really was not as bad as I envisioned it. Welcome!!

I'd like to thank all the ladies who have answered my post, I'm most grateful and so happy for all the advice and all the things to prepare myself for and what to have on hand. As I do voluntee work I suppose I will be out of action

for 2 months don't you think? Glad to know that I should be taking Vit. D. and a friend of mine said Zinc too as it stops any infection. Thanks everyone, I feel I've got a family here as I don't have anyone at home that is sensitive to my plight!...

Hi again Carol.... I found the forum I joined in the first weeks post-op (bunion op in December thread) invaluable as everyone understands each stage you go through. Family and friends are wonderful but just to be able to let off steam now and again on the forums is great.

I am sure you will be fine if you prepare as much as you can beforehand, accept whatever help you can get, and elevate your feet! Lots of books/dvds are great to pass the time in the first few weeks too.

Good Luck

Thanks Anne, I feel like I've got a wealth of friends here, so comforting!....I'm seeing the Podiatrist soon, he use to cut them out in N.Zealand, (I live in Australia by the way on the Gold Coast in Queensland), so it's lovely to have all you UK ladies to chat to about like-minded issues. I've settled down today because of all the positive comments

on here.

Hi Carol,

The best thing I did was make myself a little 'nest' on my side of the couch. Got a laundry basket and put all my frequently used things in it. Pen, pencil, paper, nail file,Suduko, Magazines etc. On the table next to my 'nest' a container for my pills, kleenex, baby wipes (in case you want to freshenup) a mug with spoons and forks (for eating so you dont have to remember it when you get up) some cookies, crackers and cereal bars (for your tummy in case the meds cause you troubles as mine did the first few days) extra pillows next to you you to help elevate. I also enjoy a heating pad on my chest while the ice is at my feet as it makes me cold all the ice. I have been living in my nightgown for a few weeks and makes bathroom breaks easier too.Make sure you have enough ice packs too. You dont want to get up all the time. I have 6 of them as I have one on my ankle and one behind my knees. It all takes times and I am just 2 weeks post op here and hanging in.

These forums are such a wonderful place to get advice, enjoy your day and just to vent.

When is your actual date of surgery?

Hi Anita, I'm not sure, I've waited 2 yrs to see the Specialist, I'm a public patient here, so we have to wait, I see the doctor on the 23rd May, so I have lots of time to get everything ready, I think your idea is a great one and I'll be dong the same. I just don't know what to do about meals as I hate frozen meals and don't like cooking them or buying them, but may have to put up with some for the duration of the recoup. I hope you are feeling better and the pain is easing. I broke my foot a few years ago and I know how hard that was, I was on crutches and had a moon boot as well. Strange how we get over all this pain isn't it and can't remember it, our bodies are marvelous things.

HI Carol-I am 75 years old and going to have my first bunion removed so I am

writing to check back with you to see how you did with your surgery and how are

you doing by now. Thanks