Posted , 16 users are following.
I live in Brisbane (Australia) and have been reading about bunion surgery for almost 2 years. I'd like to have both feet done. It looks like keyhole surgery is less pain and faster recovery but I could only find 1 dr in Brisbane who does it and there are not a lot of reviews about him. Did anyone have this type of surgery in Brisbane?
0 likes, 41 replies
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sally90774 Beebs
Posted
Yes Dr Lam is THE guy. My surgeon trained with him, so hopefully he'll have the benefit of all those years of expertise?
Is it weird to say I'm really looking forward to it?
And the guinea pig comment was a joke.....I think......he's a friend of ours!
I'll let you know all the gory details I promise!
sally90774 Beebs
Posted
Hey Beebs,
Promised i would get back to you, so here goes!
Had the surgery on Monday. In the end I had to have to "old style" slice and dice, as CT scans showed I had breaks in both feet as well, so those were pinned while the bunions were fixed. Shame, but couldn't be helped!
The recovery has been nothing short of amazing. I was up and walking (to the loo) within hours, and now (day 5) I can walk, albeit it slowly and not far, with relative ease. The boots aren't as bad as I'd thought either. Not high fashion, but if you squint they could pass as wedge heeled converse? (Not really, but they're O.K!)
Pain was minimal the first day...nasty day 2 and 3 but yesterday I was down to just panadol every four hours, and today I've only had panadol this morning....nothing since.
As someone said in another discussion, sleeping is the worst. Feet thumping, sheets and doona were so uncomfortable, and sharing a bed really not an option. I have been on the couch/in a recliner. Netflix and a roster of children bringing refreshments worked a treat! And get yourself some of those balloon things you put over plaster casts for the shower.....and a plastic chair.....
I have a follow up to remove the dressings next week. I'm so looking forward to seeing what they look like. Even with the bandages on they are a completely different shape. Look out Summer, I'll be rocking SANDALS!
I hope you find someone locally to do the keyhole version. But given I had the much more invasive surgery and have had such a good experience (so far) I would say go for it. Even if you have to take a few days in Sydney to get over the first bit of the recovery, you would be home by the end of the week without any problem. And as I said, there's always my guy on the Sunny Coast. I'm sure he will have found another guinea pig by now!
I'll keep you posted about the big reveal. Keep your fingers crossed they look more Kardashian than Frankenstien....
Sally
deb92972 sally90774
Posted
Hi there,
I'm in same boat as you. Had surgery 4 days ago in NZ on both feet and am walking around in no pain. Actually had no pain so far but have been taking panadol and an anti inflammatory. It seems us down under are having far easier recovery times and experiences than those in USA. I had level 3 bunion surgery and just have casts on my feet so walking on outside of my feet. Bandages and casts off on Monday and I walk out in my own shoe. Pretty happy. Deb
sally90774 deb92972
Posted
Yay Deb!
Yes I agree, we seem to have a better outcome in the Southern Hemisphere!
My surgeon did explain that in the US they do a different procedure....fusing bones? Anyway, I am thrilled with my recovery so far.
I have the sexy booties which will be my fashion favourite for the next 6 weeks apparently. Lucky it's Winter. Couldn't imagine how humidity and the fancy footwear would work.....ewww.
Hope all goes well with the big reveal on Monday. Keep me posted!
Sally
deb92972 sally90774
Posted
Oh booties for 6 weeks. What do they look like? My feet are in casts until. Monday then I can wear loose fitting shoes. No stitches apparently.. They are internal. Sooooo glad we live in the south! Some horror recovery experiences on here. I've just been to supermarket shopping. So couple hours on feet and am sweet as. Fingers crossed for our recovery x
suzy_38887 sally90774
Posted
I’m on the Sunny Coast and desperately need to have my bunions removed. Please could you forward me the details of the surgeon on the Coast who can help me...I really would love to have the non invasive surgery,
Thank you
Gogojojo sally90774
Posted
HI Sally
ive been looking into this too but live on the SUNNY COAST as well Heard about Dr Lam too but was hoping there was someone else locally just as good do you know? Can I confirm you went to Sydney for the procedure? How many visits prior the surgery did it require and how long were you in SYDNEY for afterwards? Did you need post operative appointments as well?
How are your feet now?
Sorry for all the questions
Jo
Beebs Gogojojo
Posted
Hi Jo!
I've had my surgery since I asked about it.
I'm in Brisbane and my surgeon was Dr Greg Sterling (in St Andrew's war memorial hospital/private). He used the minimally invasive technique. I'm very happy with him and his team, and of course with my new feet too. My surgery was 12 weeks ago.
I'm happy to answer any questions you have.
Beebs
Gogojojo Beebs
Posted
Hi Beebs
That's great to hear as I have a million questions!.How long were you in hospital? When could you walk around? Were you out of action work wise for a couple of weeks? I'm not sure if you exercise (this is my biggest concern) but how long if you do before you could say walk quickly or do any weight bearing exercise? After How many pre and post op visits did you have? Did it take long to get in to see him? I guess you needed a referral from a doctor?
That will do for starters!
Thanks
Beebs Gogojojo
Posted
Hi Jo,
I had both feet done at the same time. I spent one night in the hospital. I could walk (weight bear) right after surgery in darco (black surgical) shoes. I'm a stay at home mum so didn't have to worry about work. Mostly in bed for the first 2 weeks elevating, then started doing things around the house. I didn't exercise a lot so for me it wasn't a concern but I think if everything goes ok, usually you can start exercising again after about 7 weeks. I only needed 1 pre op visit but I had too cos I wanted to ask more questions. The first time I had to wait 3 months so see him, after that is was a lot quicker. You do need a referral from your gp. Post op visits: 2weeks to remove bandages, 7 weeks with new x ray pictures and if everything goes well, you can start wearing normal shoes. And I will have one more in august too, I think that will be the last one. (I had 2 appointments in between too cos I was worried about things but they were not because he wanted to see me.)
I think I answered all your first round questions. 😃
Gogojojo Beebs
Posted
Hey Beebs
You've done good!
Cheers
fiona37273 Beebs
Posted
Hi Beebs.
I know this is an old thread but hoping you might be able to help.
I had an appt with Dr Sterling last week and was very impressed.
However got the quote, and even with medicare and private health insurance I'm going to be out of pocket about $6k!
I would be super grateful if you could please share your experience with him and how your feet are now several months down the track.
Any insights would be great. If I'm going to pitch the cost to hubby need to have lots of ammo up my sleeve 😃
Many thanks, Fiona
Beebs fiona37273
Posted
Hi Fiona,
I can only say good things about Dr Sterling! Very good surgeon, very supportive, helpful.
I had to wear the surgical shoes for 7 weeks. It was uncomfortable but doable. I only had pain for a few hours on the 2nd day after surgery. After that it was mainly discomfort.
It took a while to walk normally again and wear normal shoes. The range of motion of my big toes is still not the best but that's on me, I should exercise them a lot more. 38 weeks post operation I still have those funny sensations but a lot less by now.
We didn't have private hospital cover so we had to pay $12000 for both feet. But it was mainly what the hospital charged us, Greg was a lot less.
I hope this helps. (I attached a before and after picture somewhere down the thread.
Beebs
Sooze1994 Beebs
Posted
hey everyone, been putting off dreaded bunion surgery for years, because of long recovery and pain. However now it seems that I should have both feet done while I'm still a 'youngish' 59 and relatively fit before other possible foot issues ensue due to my daily activity levels. would anyone know of a really good and experienced foot and ankle surgeon in Melbourne who is very comfortable doing minimally invasive? I hear that if its done well with the right equipment, recovery is less traumatic and painful.
I have an appointment with a Dr Will Edwards at the end of the month. i have read the reviews but they aren't current and not all are on bunion surgeries. i thought i should at least start the process of finding out more from a specialist rather than just procrastinating. It appears its really trial and error and yes the geography. Adelaide apparently has a fabulous specialist who does MIS but this route doesn't seem practical because of the distance for regular follow ups I'm exhausted mentally googling for specialists in Melbourne. all this overthinking is depleting my energy levels even before I start. please help. many thanks.
Beebs
Posted
Hi guys!
I ended up having the surgery in April 2019. Minimally invasive done by Dr Greg Sterling in Brisbane. Both feet done at the same time. I'm very happy with the results, happy with the surgeon and the physio too!