Kalish Bunionectomy

I had an Austin bunionectoy on July 9th on my right foot and like you I was terrified.  I had heard some good and read about a some bad experiences so I had put it off for a while.  I'm in the US too but my surgeon gave me light form of general anesthesia so I was not awake.  I have had no problems at all and actually very little pain.  I don't think it's possible to go to work a week after this surgery, you have to wear a boot for 6 weeks and not able to drive for 4 weeks.  I am very glad I had it done and will be getting my left foot done in a few months.  Good luck and I pray it all goes well for you. 

I wanted to also let you know that I think I had very little pain from the surgery because I followed the advice from the doctore and did very little the first 2 weeks and kept it elevated and iced.  Again, good luck!

I can't comment on the type of anaesthesia as I had a general .

I would say that 6 weeks down the line I have never been in pain - just at most acute discomfort. They put powerful pain blocks in which work fine .Then after about 36 hours I took bthe ordinary powerful pain relief I was supplied with for about 2 days.

Most of my discomfort was cos I probably got mobile a bit soon. Like eighth of a mile with thesurgical boot at a time. But then putting my foot up for half an hour and ok again.

Please ask about recovery time again. It will be 8 weeks in all before driving seems sensible and I am not a wimp. The toe feels tender - walking downstairs where you have to flex is only possible sideways. The thought of an emergency stop - no way. Expect foot to continue swollen for at leadt. 2 months and an enclosed toe on a shoe is NOT possible at the moment.

I am a healthy 66 year old. The bunion was at sn angle of 43% . So perhaps yours may take less time to recover. BUT PLEAsE CHECK because the recovery time MAY need to be much longer than you've been quoted....anything else do ask. .

nb I had no plaster, just internal titanium screwd and wires which will remain

I was also supposed to wear a bandage over the dressing fir 6 weeks. It got far too hot even in the ne of England so I removed it but needed to wearr a training sock and thick slipper sock so my boot would stay on. Dressing had to stay put and not get wet for 6 weeks. Supplied with a huge plastic effort for when I showered. Horrible dead skin and itching. Wonderful day of release from bandage and a proper wash and exfoliate! Main problem was pain on heel and instep and lack of sure balance cos walking crooked to keep weight off wound side of foot. But all worth the effort and I hsve thoroughly enjoyed the excuse to be lazy and have time off work.as I usually dash around too much

please ask anything else, however small and CHECK WITH YOUR DOC STRAIGHT AWAY. But don't be scared - truly!

excuse poor typing. I am using my phone.

Hi barros....I am a Aussie girl here but I just had a straight forward bunion operation with a screw in each foot. I am on my 15th day post op....recovering really well. Stitches are out and casts are on. Another 3 weeks will tell how things are. My surgeon did not give a choice of staying awake but I like the idea of been under anethestic. I have never been 'under' before and was petrified but was nice to wake up and it was all done...just like that. I know the anethestic they used was the best.....must of been....cause i woke up starving lol and ate. Went home....had convos  with family etc. I felt amazing until the anaesthetic wore off and the pain started. After I learnt to keep track of my meds and take them before the pain hits.....it worked perfectly. Anyway the way I went....I had no reason to worry.....everything went fine. I am sure you will be fine too.....good luck and yes lots of support on here....it's awesome x

Stephen, My last Bunion operation was full anaesthetic however I had my right foot done a few years ago and had to go back for a correction (a 'pin' had worked loose and was causing pain). That was done with me wide awake but lots of direct anaesthetic into the foot. This worked extremely well, no pain at all just a slight awareness of something happening but it was perfectly OK. I was given the option of watching but I declined. The foot looked a bit messy afterward for a while.

As for recovery, I guess it depends a lot on what you do for a living. Nevertheless I was off work for two months the first time. The second time I gave myself 10 weeks. If you do something where you can keep your foot elevated then you may go back a little earlier. I did try to push myself but found the foot swelled a lot, so Id say a minimum of 6 weeks. Maybe if you just have a minimum intervention (no breaking of bones) then you can go back sooner.

In my case the anaesthetic they injected into the foot meant almst pain free for 24 hrs, then feeling returned and various pains experienced but.....honestly its not that bad, I have experienced bad pain (a back issue) but the foot pain was never bad enough to bring tears to your eyes ... on a 1-10 scale Id say the foot pain was about 4 or 5. 

Good luck, the main thing to remember is that these operations tend to work out fine.

Kevin

I had local anesthesia with meds. If yours is the same then you won't remember anything. My meds were for sedation so i wasn't awake and don't remember anything. Its very similar to general anesthesia, but you are breathing on your own. Anyways, did your doc tell you that you can go back to work/drive after a week? If so then it's do able. I am not sure if you read my post but I had both feet done on July 17th and was back to work on July 24th and driving on July 25th.

I had surgery on June 20 and, like you, I was very scared having read several horror stories of those who had great difficulties. But friends who had been through it said it was no big deal and they would not hesitate to do it again. I can honestly say now (even though my cast is still on) that I will not hesitate to have the other foot done in a few months! I was given general anesthesia as I had to have bone spurs removed from my heel. I had a heart procedure done years ago while I was just mildly sedated and it was just fine. I expect with my second surgery that I'll just have the sedation with local anesthetic. As for pain, I had some in the hospital (I had to stay overnight for observation) but the meds in the IV took care of it. At home I had the nerve block that was put in at the hospital that kept pain minimal for about 3 days. I couldn't tolerate the pain meds prescribed, so I just took 4 ibuprofen for a couple of days. Pain has really not been bad at all. As for recovery, I kept my foot elevated above my heart for 2 weeks and still elevate as much as possible now. My cast comes off on Friday, so I'll begin the next step of this journey. As others have said, please check with your doctor for your specific case!! All the best to you! Keep us posted. I too am in US but found this site to be a great help!

I'm 4 weeks into my recovery, I have to say it hasn't been bad at all, aside from feeling a little bit of cabin fever. 

They definatly put me under, I can't imagine being awake. Before surgery they put in a pain block pump and I went home with that, couldn't feel a thing for 72 hrs. As I mentioned I'm 4 weeks in and have yet to take a prescription pain pill. 

I do have on and off swelling, but I think that is due to me trying to do to much. 

My range of motion gets better everyday. Exercise! I watch You Tube videos to learn how to rehab my foot. 

I was told I would be out of work for 8 weeks, due to the fact I manage a restaurant and I'm on my feet 90% of the day. 

Im in the US as well, I enjoy this site and forum, it has helped me manage my recovery and progress! 

Good luck to you, hope all goes well.

Hi Stephen,

I'm in the US and had the MAC anesthesia.  I had a foot block, which I'm sure you will have, and then Propofol, the Michael Jackson drug.  You will not be awake!  They just monitor the anesthesia so you get only what you need, and don't stay asleep too long. The surgery was the best part of the whole procedure (June 9th).  I woke up, pain free, feeling great, talking and laughing with my nurses.  The block lasts at least 24 hours.  You will feel fine.  I woke up from shoulder surgery many years ago, screaming in pain, and with chills from general anesthesia.  This is so much better.  The pain came on about the 2nd morning after I came home.  In the US, we take Oxycodone, which is Percocet, for pain, or Tramadol, which is non-narcotic. For me, the Percocet was great! some people don't like it.  6 days of Percocet for me, and then no pain whatsoever, until I started to walk. My heel hurt when I walked, and fortunately, people on this site comforted me, letting me know it was normal. I will never do this again, as I got excruciating sciatica in my good leg, and I am just beginning to work out again (swimming), but the surgery is nothing, just the immobility for 6 weeks.  I can't imagine going back to work 2nd week, but if you can sit and elevate, ice occasionally, you'll be fine.  God bless.  Joyce

Oh, and Stephen, the knee scooter is great and good for work.  I was scooting all over the house from the first day. The only problem was, my legs weren't even, so I got the sciatica, but I have been a ballerina for 14 years, and a runner for 28 years, so that probably exacerbated it.  Good luck.  You are so young that it all will be worth it. Joyce

You all are amazing...I wasn't expecting to get any replies overnight. I can honestly say that I do feel a bit relaxed after reading your stories. I've had surgeries before but those were all general anesthesia - I just hope than when it's time to go home after, my partner is making fun of me or asking me silly things...don't know if it's that type of anesthesia or not.

I'm counting down the days and I know in the long run the pain will be gone. I have my pre-op physical tomorrow and then two weeks. I will keep this updated once I go in...and again, thank you all for your help at easing my mind. I'm a very worrysome and anxious person in nature so I needed this.

Stupid genetics

Hi Stephen!  I'm not familiar with the Kalish procedure but I can tell you that the twilight sedation is totally easy.  I'm going to have it for my 8/1 bunion surgery but have also had it for other procedures.  In theory you are awake and can follow commands, and breathe and swallow on your own (which is what makes it better I guess), but you basically start counting down from 10 and by 8 you don't remember a thing.  You wake up in recovery with no memory of what happened and the surgeon will also be giving you a nerve block for the foot area so even though in theory your body is awake and receiving pain signals, you shouldn't get any tenseness because the pain isn't there.  

I suspect you'll need to work from home for a while.  Especially if you usuallly have to walk or drive.  Maybe driving after week 3, but lots of people say it was week 5 until they were ready.  On the other hand, the whole thing seems to be a huge range of experiences in the healing process.  Walking is problematic because of swelling and the more you keep your foot up, the less pain medication you'll need.  So the trade-off seems to be walking with pain meds, or sitting with foot up with less pain medication - at least for a month or so.  

I'm getting a Lapidus on my right foot, so I'll let you know how that goes.