rbright
10-25-2007, 01:41 PM
how painful is bunion surgery. I'am having surgery on nov. 1, 2007. at first i wasn't worried then I looked on the web and didn't realize that i was going to be on chutches and then in a cast for weeks, my doctor really didn't tell me much about it. I am having second thought now. please help. Also I am having surgery on Thursday and going back to work on the following Monday.
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Pookiemon
10-25-2007, 05:59 PM
I'm sure it all depends, but really it hasn't been bad for me, and I'm a huge wimp. I think my bunion was moderate, and I had the Austin procedure. They gave me drugs that made me sleepy during the surgery (I actually slept through the whole thing), and they numbed my foot. I think when I was waking up I could feel them injecting the longer-lasting numbing medication. That was a little painful but really, it's just like getting a shot.
After the surgery, I was numb until I woke up the next day. It did hurt a little but not too bad. The drugs they gave me did a good job of killing the pain and keeping me too sleepy to try to get up and do stuff. I stayed home from work through the Thursday following the surgery (6 days later). I probably could have gone back sooner but I wanted to stay on the medicine and I was too drugged to accomplish anything--the pain itself wasn't keeping me home.
I also was able to walk immediately after the surgery, even though my foot was numb. They gave me a heavy, clunky, ugly, but wonderful walking boot. I actually walked out of the surgery center. I suspect if your doctor didn't say anything about crutches, there's a chance you don't need them. I didn't need them for one minute.
As far as pain down the line (I'm only three weeks post-op), I'd say that at its worst, it's about as painful as my bunion was after a long day of walking. It's not even a constant pain, just comes and goes. I am willing to undergo this temporary pain if it means that constant pain from before is gone.
I hope that helps! It's honestly gone much better than I expected. It's not nearly as bad as I imagined.
After the surgery, I was numb until I woke up the next day. It did hurt a little but not too bad. The drugs they gave me did a good job of killing the pain and keeping me too sleepy to try to get up and do stuff. I stayed home from work through the Thursday following the surgery (6 days later). I probably could have gone back sooner but I wanted to stay on the medicine and I was too drugged to accomplish anything--the pain itself wasn't keeping me home.
I also was able to walk immediately after the surgery, even though my foot was numb. They gave me a heavy, clunky, ugly, but wonderful walking boot. I actually walked out of the surgery center. I suspect if your doctor didn't say anything about crutches, there's a chance you don't need them. I didn't need them for one minute.
As far as pain down the line (I'm only three weeks post-op), I'd say that at its worst, it's about as painful as my bunion was after a long day of walking. It's not even a constant pain, just comes and goes. I am willing to undergo this temporary pain if it means that constant pain from before is gone.
I hope that helps! It's honestly gone much better than I expected. It's not nearly as bad as I imagined.
debbie g
10-25-2007, 10:19 PM
how can you go back to work so fast?
misfish90
10-25-2007, 10:34 PM
Going back to work 4 days post-op?! That's either really ambitious or just plain unrealistic. I know I couldn't have done it.
BunionPatient
10-25-2007, 11:58 PM
bunion surgery for me was not painful at all. the recovery time was very hard for me though I hope all goes well
Pookiemon
10-26-2007, 12:31 PM
I sit all day at my job, and my office is casual so I can put my feet up if I want. I switched from the prescription painkillers to Advil when I went back to work so I wouldn't be drugged. My husband dropped me off and picked me up so I wouldn't have to drive.