had my FINAL xray - my new dr is really nice - she showed me all the differences between before (14 degrees intermetatarsal angle) and after (5 degreees - normal is between 0 to 8)
also the angle of the big toe to metatarsal also improved (but not to zero so purposeful lean of big toe towards the other toes otherwise "overcorrected" and unable to fit in a normal woman's shoe)

my worry that the bunion was recurring was dismissed as she said it is impossible for the bone to move back and forth and that I am just having swelling around the surgery site that makes it look puffy and bulging.
I felt so much better after hearing that!
although the swelling can be a problem even for a year

also she said that wearing splint up to 3 months after surgery was fine, after that there is no difference as all the soft tissues have healed by then
although now that I know my foot will be fine, I guess I don't have to be so paranoid about wearing the splint and stuff

I got casted for custom orthotics that should be ready in 2 weeks (I got 2 pairs, dress and sports, to wear with work shoes and my running shoes, one is paid for with insurance, the other I paid out of pocket $350)
My dr said the only things that will prevent bunion from recurring is wearing well- fitting shoes and orthotics
and in 1 month I could start running again (?I'm not so sure but here's hoping)

I feel like I turned a corner psychologically, that my foot really will turn out all right after all this!
and I'm ALMOST considering having the other one done next year, now that I know what to expect and have a nice new doctor I trust (even though I swore I would never go through this again!)

my friend talked me into going to Cancun next month so I'm wondering how my red asymmetrically discolored foot with the scar will look on the beach! (not that anyone will be looking at my foot I'm sure)