I am new to this board and am so happy to have found it! So much wonderful information from those who have been "in the trenches"! I am scheduled to have bunion surgery on my right foot next week. As I understand from my pre-op appointment with my podiatrist, the big toe bone will be broken and realigned (with permanent screws or wire). The bunion will be removed and she will also remove a little bit of the bone on the top of my foot which is also causing pain at the joint of the big toe. I have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can answer:
1. App. how many stitches will be in my foot? I assume that these are removable stitches?

2. When do the stitches get removed? I already have appointments scheduled for 5 days post-op; 2 weeks post-op and 3 weeks post op.

3. Do the dressings get changed at each appointment? Will there ever be a time when I have to change the dressings?

Thank you so much!

Hi and welcome,
Stitches....all depends on how large the incision is, I think I had maybe 10? Don't remember.....


stitch removal....... is at 2 weeks post


dressing change.......your Doctor will change your dressing for you and you must keep it dry!when the stitches come out then I believe if I remember, you get just a bandaid

This is just my past experience, remember every Doctor is different. I have had a total of 7 surgeries on my feet in about 2 years.

Good luck and keep us informed on your recovery.If you take the time to read these posts you will learn alot from all of us foot buddies. :)

Sue :angel:

My gosh, Sue....7 surgeries on your feet in 2 years! Wow! I just had a hysterectomy 7 weeks ago and am now getting the foot fixed! I'm on a roll here!
Thanks so much for your reply! I have been reading so many posts here and the information is so valuable!
Lisa

I had a similar experience. I just had surgery number 3, although my first 2 were 9 and 11 years ago. I don't remember how many stitches I had the first two times, this past time I had 12, but he did some kind of "box" stitching that I had never seen before. Mine were out at 2 weeks. The doctor will change the bandages. If you have screws like I did this past time, they will remove the bandages after you get your stitches out. If you have a pin, like I did my first two surgeries, then you will have bandaging on until the pin is pulled.