You won't feel a thing during the surgery itself; it's the first week of recovery that can be very uncomfortable. However, ice, elevation, and good pain meds usually make it quite endurable. You shouldn't be asked to walk if it hurts. Unlike knee replacements, "working through the pain" is not advised. I had it done on both feet at the same time; my only real pain came from a nerve that was irritated due to internal swelling. I upped the pain prescription for a couple of days until it went away. Glad I had the surgery.