New to Forum and April Appointment with Consultant

Hi, I'm now 7 weeks post scarf and akin surgery and, like you, had put off surgery for years. All I have now is a very nicely knitting scar which improves each day and I am so pleased with my new foot and the lack of pain. I just wish I'd had it done years ago, but just make sure you research the differing types of surgery open to you and,above all, your choice of surgeon!

My appointment is in a week gilly, the ladies on this forum are wonderful and tell the truth everyone is different I suppose but I'm still doing lots of research a scary thing to look forward too. Lol good luck x

Hi, I have the same problem.  My right foot is actually deformed from the forefoot bunion and four hammer toes and the shape of my foot was like a triangle when i had a sock on !  mine also was hereditary as mum had awul feet and so did my nan.  They were of the generation of thinking a bunion op was a death sentance.  My left foot is not so bad i have a bunion but no hammer toes although they are shifting to the left the older i get.  I am 8 weeks post op on my very bad foot, came out of the op ok used crutches for couple of days and had two pain killers then no pain at all ...did as i was told elevated foot (higher than heart) and could do light house duties after a week.  Recovery has been great, i took extra calcium and arnica to keep bruising down.  wires came out yesterday and slight tenderness at the end of my middle toe which was the worst hammer toe, no bunion and straight toes, although as the surgeon did explain they would not be straight up as my forefoot bone is still crooked and unless they did surgery from my ankle it would always be the case.  I am very happy with the result, the fact that i can put a shoe on withought having to manouvre my foot around into it will be such a bonus !  All in all i would recommend havin the op  I am 60 years old and will not hesitate to have the other done which is booked for next year . GOOD LUCK

Well all i can say is get it done we.re not getting any younger and the surgery nowadays is brilliant also dont worry about infection as when you are put out they also give you a shot of antibodies and as long as you keep it covered it will be fine,, i had wires out yesterday which didnt hurt one bit you just feel a slight pull and they slide out, they dressed my toes and a light bandage which i can remove sunday and get in the bath ,,,heaven

Hi Gilly.  Wish you every luck with your consulation, I'm sure if you're happy and reassured by your consultant,you might begin to think differently. There are loads of very positive and helpful posts on here, far outweighing negatives. I know this site's helped me, huge thanks to all who've posted! 

As for my experience, I'm five weeks post surgery on one foot. I can honestly tell you I've found the whole experience nowhere near as frightening or as painful as it's reputation. I've had no real pain to speak of, just discomfort and the losing idependence was hard but for a couple of weeks,but for long term gain was worth it. When I first saw my new straight foot, I almost cried with happiness and I really can't wait to get my other foot done in a few weeks time!! Like you I was really ashamed of my deformed, ugly  not to mention very painful feet. For years I wouldn't dream of wearing open shoes no matter how hot, last year I wore boots all summer!! Utter madness!! I was repeatedly advised for years not to go ahead by a number of GP's, told too painful, so I delayed for years, even though I was in a lot of pain. Wish I hadn't. As others have rightly said the operations they perform now have really moved on. Really hope the collective and positive experiences on here don't make you cross the operation  off your bucket list quite yet especially as you feel up to getting it done. Good luck! Post and let us know how you get on.

Hello Gilly

I do think that it all depends on a lot of different factors and as much as most stories you will read on this forum are quite encouraging you should be asking your suregeon lots of quesitons to make sure that your expectations are realistic.  I am 58 and have quite a bit of Osteo Arthritis so my joints are deformed.  I had my bunion surgery three months ago and it also included fore foot reconstruction (shortening of three bones in my mid foot to take pressure of toe joints).  The surgeon got rid of the bunion but in order to straightened my big toe he had to brake it in two places so I have three screws in it.  He is an excellend specialist and I firmly believe that he did the best possible job but my recovery is slow and very painful.  Three months post surgery I cannot wear normal shoes and most of the time I am still in post op boot.  I walk bear feet at home and that hurts too.  I am on synthetic morphine at night and paracetamol during day.  My GP is actually encouraging me to take more pain killers but I am very reluctant to do so.  I have seen the surgeon recently and was told to take it more slowly and expect at least another 5 months to achieve reasonable recovery.  

I am not trying to scare you Gilly as your surgery needs are possibly quite different but I think that any expectations should be based on discussions with doctors more than just good experiences of lovely people on this forum.

I personally am glad that I had my foot done as my bunion was very painful.  I kept delaying it for many years but in the end I felt that I was in too much pain and also I worried that as I get older my body will take longer to recover.

I do not consider my experience bad at all,  just much longer than great majority of people on this forum so please Gilly,  ask your doctor than double the recovery time he gives you and you probably will be spot on.

As for the pain,  even if you had similar experience to mine,  it can be managed and it does slowly get better.

Good luck Gilly

 

Sorry gilly spelling is terrible as I'm out and about oops it should say I have capsulitus you get the gist lol