Hi All,

I just wanted to say that at three weeks post op for a bunionectomy, I am really feeling great! I have almost no swelling, am in my old sneakers again and doing my normal aerobic exercise routine, as well as everything else I want to do. I am not limping (except a bit when barefoot) and have no pain. My incision seems to be healing VERY nicely. The toe numbness bothers me a tad, but I know it will resolve eventually and overall I cannot complain. I just realized today that I am finally feeling almost back to "normal" again, which is a wonderful thing after lying around the house feeling out of kilter for what feels like a long time--though it was only a couple of weeks, really.

If I can offer any advice it would be:

1. pick a good doctor, someone who is qualified and does lots of these surgeries.

2. Have the most conservative surgery you can. Pick a doctor whose patients tend to recover quickly and well, with little pain!

3. Permanent screws seem to be better than pins (IMHO).

4. Follow your doctor's instructions. Call when you're not sure!

5. Very important: Ice, elevate, and take Ibuprofen for swelling!

6. Start ambulating as soon as you can, without pushing yourself.

7. Do the toe exercises for toe flexibility.

8. When the stitches are out, use one of those silicone sheets or similar type bandages that keep the incision protected and moist.

9. If your doctor okays it, begin an appropriate exercise routine as soon as you are able to. I started gentle, non-impact aerobic activity at day 10. Exercise helps the circulation, which promotes healing and flexibility.


I know lots of people have long and difficult recoveries from this surgery, but to give hope to those anticipating it with dread...it doesn't necessarily have to be that bad.

Thanks to all of you who gave me information and support during this time--this was a great board to haunt while I was recovering. Best wishes for good recoveries to all!

Hi Squirrelmom!!! I am always eager to read your posts because you seem to have had an exceptionally good experience with your bunionectomy surgery! I had my surger to my rt foot on June 14th and just this morning I realized that I too am just now starting to feel like I'm returning to some normalcy. I am still wearing the bunion "shoe" and will be until week six. The doctor told me to bear weight on the side of my foot and/or heel only. He said that I can drive if I use my left foot for gas and brake pedal but he would rather I wait til six wks post op to avoid putting too much pressure on my foot. The stitches were just removed last week, the pins in my toe come out next Friday and the screw in my foot comes out at six weeks post-op. I took one week off from work and worked four hours per day my first two weeks back. The only problem that I have had is the swelling that occurs in my ankle from my having to walk on the side of my foot. I just started taking Ibuprofen last Thursday to help with the swelling. At 10 days post-op I asked the doctor if I should take it to help but he told me that Ibuprofen can prevent the bones from healing quickly. Now, after three or four days of taking it, I have noticed a considerable change in the swelling. I will continue to take it for a few more days. If all goes well with my right foot, I plan to do my left foot in early September because I hate the thought of being laid up next summer.
I have a couple of questions for you if you don't mind.
1) How long did you wear the bunion shoe?
2) How long before you were able to bear weight on your entire foot??
3) Which foot did you do and are you now able to drive????
4) If you work outside the home, how many days you take time off from work?

Hi Mariposa! I am glad you are starting to feel back to normal too! It's odd your doctor feels that the ibuprofen can delay bone healing, though I've noticed that different doctors all have very different approaches. In any case, I'm glad that's helping too. To answer your questions (but please bear in mind there are many different types of bunion surgery and my recovery timeline may not be applicable to those who have had another procedure), I had the surgery on my right foot only and wore the surgical shoe for 2 1/2 weeks. My doctor advised me to wear teva-type sandals after that because she thought I would have too much swelling to fit regular shoes, but in fact I have been able to start wearing my normal shoes recently with just the laces done up a bit more loosely on the operated foot. I got permission to drive at the two week mark, which was also when I got my stitches out. And as for weight bearing, I was sort of able to put some weight on the foot right away, but I would say it took 3 - 4 days before I could do this without pain...and an extra day or two before I could put weight on the whole foot, as opposed to just on the side or the heel. I still feel kind of funny putting weight on the forefoot while barefoot, but in shoes it is fine now.

I work out of my home, so I did not have to formally take time off. However, if I'd had to go back to office work I probably would have been able to do that after one week off. For more active work or anything requiring being on my feet all day I think two weeks off would have been best. I still like to keep my foot up on something whenver I sit down, and I try not to be on my feet for very long stretches.

Just to mention, I can relate to your ankle swelling, because for as long as I was in the surgical shoe I could not really walk properly and consequently I kept putting too much strain on my knee and hurting it. But once I was out of the shoe, my knee was fine again.

Now that I am "over the hump" (physically and psychologically) I almost don't remember I've had the surgery for hours on end, and every day feels more and more "normal." I just wanted to share with others that that point DOES arrive...sooner or later...again, glad you are feeling better with your recovery as well, and hang in there!

hello, when i saw this tread i know i had to post! im glad to hear your feeling great.. every day gets better for me as well! i had my surgery on june 18 and got my stitches out a week ago.. since i had the surgery ive learned more and more about foot problem and how they start. oh if i could turn back the hands of time.. lol! well i was thinking of getting my left foot done in december during my winter break from college. unlike most people i dont have swelling in my ankles my foot swells at the bottom and all my toes are swollen and they dont touch the floor! well i guess i just have to wait and see how long the swelling takes to go down.. its nice to see that someone else feels the way you do.. this board has given me answers to all of my questions about bunion surgery! to those of you who are afraid to have surgery because of fear. dont be it not as bad as it seems! take care :wave: