I got to see my new feet yesterday!! I'm very pleased with my results. It was such a weird mix of excitement and awe (because the shape of them is totally new, cute, tiny, *and straight!* for the first time).. and then the gross out factor of seeing the stiches and essentially all the colors of the rainbow within my bruises.. yikes!! It was really affirming to see my dr, though- he was very pleased with my range of motion and how quickly I'm recovering. I'm wiggling my toes now whenever i'm sitting around, to help circulation and keep my ROM. I can actually walk around a little now on my own.. without crutches, for 10 minutes or so till they start to swell a bit.

Like Sharon, I too have really enjoyed these boards- but I feel the need to say that I don't think that "we" (as a collective) represent an unbiased sampling of people who have suffered or gotten treatment for having foot problems. Afterall, the subject is called foot problems, not foot successes.. and i do think it tends to attract people who are having a more difficult time with their experience/ surgery. I hope I'm not offending anyone here, it's just that the fear factor is such a huge thing with approaching surgery...and sometimes I think these boards tend to fan the flames of fear, not intentionally.. just because that is our honest experience. The people who have really smooth, positive surgeries don't tend to stick around and answer the posts. Anyway, really hope I haven't pissed anyone off- that's not my intention!

If you are someone who's considering surgery, by all means, utilize these boards & take the positivity and support that is available here- but take the other stuff with a grain of salt, keeping in mind that you are only hearing a few select experiences.. not necessarily an accurrate or similar scenario as to what your own experience will be like.

Above all, keeping a positive attitude and being in a good place mentally, physically, and emotionally is the greatest tool in your own recovery.

Megan

Megan,
Sounds like you are really doing well and that's great! I know what you mean about seeing feet for the first time and that sense of awe! My left foot had looked so gross for so long that I catch myself staring at it all the time. I TOTALLY did not get the surgery for cute feet though!! I did it because the pain was terrible 24/7 and keeping me from some of my favorite activities. I just want to put that out there for anyone who might want to do foot surgery for cosmetic reasons. THis surgery and recovery is no fun! BUT, not that I'm pissed or anything like that, I do disagree with your statement that sometimes the boards fan the flames. We all want to hear that good and bad experiences and we all should tell the GOOD AND BAD experiences. Some people seem to really have an easy time with recovery but we all must keep in mind that not all bunionectomies are the same. Between 1-10 mine was about a 7 as far as severity and what all my doc had to do. Lisa's was definilty a 10!! So we all will heal and recover differently. There is absolutly no way I would have been able to wiggle my toes or put any weight on my foot at 1 week post op nor would my Doctor have wanted me to. A person reading these boards needs to hear all experiences so he or she will know they could either walk fairly soon or be off there feet for 6 weeks hobbling with crutches like me. That is why I love the boards so much. There was such a range of emotions and experiences with this surgery. This poor girl from Louisiana bragged about how well she was doing after the first week (I am not saying you are bragging!!!!) and she started doing waaaay too much too soon and landed in the hospital, she screwed her foot up bad and had to have more surgery. Plus, some of us don't get the fancy boot where you can walk on heel. Anyway, my point is that anyone reading the boards doesn't need to take all that is said with a grain of salt. They just need to read them all, find a doctor they trust, ask lots and lots of questions, get help, and take good care of themselves if they have the surgery. Then they can write on these boards what their experience was just as you have. Again, im glad you are doing so well! And, I am super glad to be 12 weeks post op!!!LOL
Sharon

Hi Megan,

Glad your new feet are just as you hoped, and glad your recovery is going so well!

I take NO OFFENSE with your post or thought. I agree that we may see more long-time posting from people who have had unexpected results (and we all know that any surgery entails risk, and results may not be as expected). I think most of us would expect that, since a person may be searching for answers., I feel that the MAJORITY of the posts are not negative or frightful, but rather more “venting” of the long period of recovery that people are or have faced. Megan, your only a little more than a week post op, and you or I can not possible know how we really will be doing 3, 4 6, or 12 weeks from now, or what we may be posting. ( I hope it will be 100% positive)

I feel like my recovery has been good so far as well, and foot number 2 is already scheduled for next month, and I find this board invaluable in knowing how others are doing or have done in the past. Reading all the archives, it appears to me that we do have a good “collective” group, some with easy, text book recoveries and others with not such good outcomes.

All good feedback. I agree that the collective group of people here is fairly positive overall. I can only speak for myself, but my own experience reading these boards made me anticipate a much harder journey than I've had so far. (Maybe that is simply because *I* was afraid.. so I was reading fear in the posts.. who knows :confused: )

Yep, I'm only 1 week post-op.. a week from now I could be biting my tongue. :p

I was told my bunions were fairly severe. My big toes pushed into my second toes and I had occasional arthritis. Given this, I think I have had particularly good results so far. I've also been taking glucosanine & chondroitin, which is supposed to help rebuild the cartillage in the joint. (Who knows if that's been helping, but I figure it can't hurt)

In any case, I am doing so much better than thought I would be. I was thinking 2-3 weeks in bed with no activity at all.. and my reality is that I can already walk around and move my feet really well.

So, everyone thanks for the continued sharing, venting, feedback.. and for being mature enough to agree to disagree :)

Megan

The thing about these boards, whether it's sharing how happy we are with our new feet, or venting about trying to get into the bathtub or go up steps on crutches, is that there are others who are experiencing exactly the same thing. Where else can we vent with so much detail? I'm not going to call my perfect-footed friends and vent or even tell them how much ROM I have in my toe now - they're just not going to get it. These boards (especially Sharon!) saved my life in those first weeks.

Yes, we can all agree to disagree, but what exactly are we disagreeing about? I don't understand. I'm not being snippy or anything - I honestly don't get it.

Most of us don't post about fear; if you read closely, you'll see that it's usually someone's very first post that has the words, "scared", or "so scared", or "nervous wreck" in it. The posts that answer these people usually just share their experiences. I'm not going to lie to anyone and say that I was up and walking after a week, just so they won't be afraid. All I can do is relate my own experience, but when I read a post by someone considering foot surgery and thinking they'll just be able to get up and go to work in a week, you bet I'm going to tell them to wait and see how the operation turns out and what their doctor says. Is that fanning the flames of fear? This week, a woman posted saying she'd be having a double bunionectomy on Friday and would have help lined up for every night EXCEPT her first night after her surgery. How many exclamation points did Sharon use when answering her? There's fear and then there's information.

Since every single case is different, there's no way there can just be one thread called, "Bunion surgery is easy!" It is easy for some, and difficult for others. If all the posts I'd read before my surgery were about how easy it was, I wouldn't have taken so much time off, or made sure my fiance could be here for me, etc. I would've been in a lot of trouble later on, not to mention being totally pissed off for being misled.

I don't know, maybe you weren't even referring to me - but I had a really tough time. Easier than I thought sometimes, and more difficult in other ways. I wasn't a complainer. My cast created a big problem and I got it taken care of. I'd never had a cast before, now I've had four and I can share the experience if someone asks.

I'm in week 12. I'm still working on my ROM in my big toe. It's getting there, and I can now go down steps with alternating feet, (but only if I put my foot on the step with the toes hanging off), and my ankle swells every time I walk on it. The muscles in my foot (mid-foot, not where the bunion was) hurt big-time when I walk on it too much and I'm getting frustrated. I have to do my other foot next month. That said, I'm very happy with my surgery and am doing my exercises as much as possible, all day long.

I have been on these boards since my very first bunion surgery which was back in Nov 03 and I have found it very helpful.As stated in one of the previous posts these boards are for foot problems.I think if we look back at most of the posts anyone who has had problems with their foot surgeries also post good feedback.If it weren't for these boards I would be absolutely crazy by now.LOL With all of my foot surgeries I have found great support here!I have also met alot of new friends that are willing to listen to my problems.I find it very interesting reading all the posts whether people are experiencing good or bad.We are all here to support each other.Some people just happen to be extremely lucky to do so well from foot surgeries.Believe me I wish I were one of those people.I think most people will agree with me that most Doctors are living in a fantasy world when they give post op instructions before surgery.I know every patient and Doctor is different.I think for anyone that is looking into a possible foot surgery really should read our posts.We are for real...been there and done that! No bull here.We are all honest!
I'm not being immature just honest!
Sue :angel:

Thank you susieblue eyes!!!
I was lucky that my doc happens to also be my friend and I made him be very candid with me about everything. I am simply amazed by doc's who tell their patients that they will be fine in a couple of weeks. What a bunch of crap!!! My Dr is an ortho and he knows all to well how painful and long bones heal. He says he does bunionectomies more than any other procedure because men and women and really struggling with their feet. He refuses to do bunionectomies for "cosmetic" purposes. And, he tried to talk me out of the surgery knowing I have two small children and a busy lifestyle but my pain had gotten so bad that waiting just wasn't an option anymore. HOnestly, I don't know how anyone is able to be up and around in one week. That is just beyond me BUT GREAT GREAT GREAT if you are. Honestly, The first week I would have given anything to be doing as well as Megan. But let's face it folks, not everyone and I would venture to guess, most of us take a LOOOOONNNNNGGGG frustrating time recuperating from this surgery, or any other foot surgery for that matter. I'll never forget the first board I read on January 10th two weeks before my surgery date. The post was 2 weeks post op and I am going bezerk. Man, I freaked out when i read her post. She was talking about how bad the pain was and how hard it was getting around the house, how crazy she was feeling on her pain meds, etc etc etc. It scared the crap out of me but 2 weeks later i had the surgery and let me tell you!!! I was sooooo glad to have read that post 2 weeks before because at my 2 weeks post op I was having the same troubles as she was and it put my mind at ease because I knew it was normal and I knew I wasn't the only one going thru it. If I would have read a post saying how great someone was doing in one week, walking around some and moving their toes, I would have not been as prepared and I would have freaked out thinking something had gone wrong with the surgery or my Doc was a quack!
These boards were a lifesaver for me!!!!
Sharon

Hi All :wave:
This is a great post.

I am a seasoned RN with certification in wound and skin care...

But nurses don't always make the best patients... so.....

I found these boards.. I was really getting freaked out thinking about a bunionectomy, and the pain.. ya di da da da,, so many people tell you it is such a "painful procedure"

I found great support here, and basically knew exactly what to expect. :cool:

My procedure was not near the terrible experience I thought it was gonna be, and I got much reassurance from you guys on this board..

Thanks so much for all your help and support and I am doing great almost 2 weeks post op... ;)

These boards have been invaluable to me with ALL different people and their experiences. I trust the feedback from the group on recovery time because they live it. My doc is pretty honest about recovery time but doubt he's ever done this before. The moral and emotional support is outstanding and keeps me going many days. I feel I've made some true friends and know nobody understands this or any other serious illness and its treatment/recovery unless they have walked (or not as in our case) in these shoes. Technically it is fairly easy to tell from the descriptions people give how severe their bunionectomies actually are. If you are walking on your surgical foot in one week, you did not have a severe bunion for the simple reason this surgery is non weight bearing for at least 4 weeks because of fusions or multiple bone cuts. That doesn't mean a moderate or mild bunionectomy isn't painful or frustrating in recovery. I wish everyone was walking in one week (including me) BUT I'm not and won't be. Thanks to ALL of you for your support. I'm really down right now with my second back to back surgery (nwb for both for 4-5 weeks), my best friend moving away tomorrow and my daughter leaving home in three weeks (I'm happy for her--she's just finished college in civil engineering found a job in Seattle and getting married in Sept with Seattle her new home) but I'll really miss her.
Linda

Your welcome Sharon! Linda, I'm sorry you are feeling blue.Not only is it the pain from the surgeries but the mental pain is terrible.Being stuck in the house is no fun.It gives us all plenty of time to do lots of thinking.I mean geeeez how much TV,MOVIES,BOOKS,PHONE,INTERNET SURF,CRAFTS........can a person do?While sitting in one place.My bf just came by for lunch and I kind of said something to the effect of omg. He says whats the matter are you growing roots?LOL This is getting old.As you know I have been out of work since Jan 7th with 2 different foot surgeries.No one calls or stops by anymore, I think they are just as bored and sick of this stuff as myself.LOL OK enough here!I just wanted to let you know you are not alone Linda and feel free to vent and talk anytime I'm here.Lord knows I'm not going anywhere.LOL Thank you everyone for your support!
Sue :angel:

I know
feeling blue is just a part of boredom.... it happens.. :yawn:
i have watched tv, internet, chair...
i am going to have my roots done saturday with my granny
we are all definitely in the same boat
but... it does get better :)

And... it's so hard to tell what things are going to be like for us newbies! I can't give a realistic view of recovery because I haven't lived it - yet!

I really had a good first week post op recovery time. The pain was very under control, and I walked around with crutches just to use the bathroom. It pain was much, much, much less then I anticipated.

Week 2, I lost the crutches for most of the time.. and walk on my frankenstein shoe, which I will need to wear no less than 6 weeks. Last night was my most painful night! I did go to work for 5 hours, just sitting at the computer, and went to the restroom 1 time. I got home and I decided I would unwrap my foot (first time of self unwrapping, but doctor told me I could shower today, so I jumped the gun a few hours). My foot was swollen, bruised and ached so much. It hurt all night and at 1:00 AM is was so uncomfortable, that I made my husband get ice and I took a left over vicodin.

I am taking this one week at a time, and will listen to my foot! Of course.. it is BORING just laying around day after day... but next spring, I expect to be out buying shoes, and walking the mall without my feet hurting!

I just had my first post-op appointment after being non-weight bearing for 3 weeks. It felt SO good to have the cast off, even though it was short-lived. My foot was re-cast (in baby blue) and I will return in another week and a half for x-rays and then 'maybe" will be in a partial weight-bearing shoe. So....crutches do remain! :eek:

I was amazed at how swollen my foot was and black and blue. But the doctor told me he essentially broke my foot and fused it back together. My fusion was done at the first metatarsal bone down in the middle of my foot.

I returned to work on day 5 after my surgery. Probably should have stayed home the entire week, as it wasn't very comfortable. But my pain was very limited. As I've stated before, the worst part is getting around on crutches - no one could have prepared me for how difficult that is.

I have been having burning/shooting pains recently, but my doctor told me yesterday those are the nerves regenerating and it is a good thing, even though it can be painful.

All in all, I'd do this surgery again in a heartbeat. When I saw how straight my foot was yesterday and think about being able to walk without pain, I think all the hassle is worth it.

For anyone getting ready to have this surgery, just be prepared for the inconvenience of being non-weight bearing for at least 6 weeks. It's unbelievable!

Have a great week-end everyone!!