Am scheduled to have bunion surgery on "both feet" on May 7. After reading all these posts, am really scared. Has anyone had both feet done at once? What is the recovery period like. I live alone and don't have anyone planned to stay with me those first couple of days after surgery ... will I be able to make it on my own. Would appreciate all your advise/comments. To give more background, I developed a sore on my right foot (bunion) that got seriously infected. All the doctors believe that due to these bunions, the infection will keep coming back unless surgery is performed to correct the bunion. I didn't want to go through the surgery twice, so I scheduled it for both feet at once. Thanks again for your advise/comments and hope to keep communicating with everyone afer my upcoming, dreaded surgery ... UUUGGH!

Hi Ewarren: I had both of my feet done quite a #
of years ago, for bunions. The Dr., first wanted
to do only 1 foot at a time, and I said that I
wanted to have them both done at the same time. He
finally agreed. You can do it, by yourself, but
you will know what you can do at the time. Just plan
to take it easy, for a time and you will do fine.

Hi ewarren

I had one foot done at a time. For the first one (done 1/6/03) I didn't have any pain but it was hard to get my own ice and food. For the first couple of days when I would get up the blood flow to my foot would make it throb. For the second one (done 2/28/03)I didn't have any problems getting around on my own with no pain or discomfort. I guess what I'm trying to say is that every surgery is different and everyone recovers differently. My advice would be you should try to get someone you can call just in case you need a little help. I hope sharing my experience helped.

GOOD LUCK

I had one foot done on 3-14-03, and everything is going well. I would strongly suggest having someone around to help you the first couple of days, because it is very important to have your feet elevated and iced for the majority of the time. I believe this will help speed your recovery, because if you try to do too much too soon, you could delay recovery, or develop other complications. I followed the doctor's post op instructions very carefully, and I have not had any problems. Good luck.

ewarren,

i agree with shooter1971. i just had my left foot done 02/27/03....but my sister's neighbor had her bunionectomies last summer - both feet at the same time. she strongly suggests in investing in really good knee pads - that's how you are going to get around your home - by crawling to the kitchen, to the bathroom, etc. before your surgery, move things closer to the ground - your food to the bottom shelves in the refrigerator, toilet paper stock closer to the ground - basically anything you will be needing has to be in reaching distance. and if at all possible, get someone to help you for the first few days. it's really important to elevate your feet as much as possible soon after the surgery. my sister's neighbor hired a girl to help with the cooking and grocery shopping. i also experienced nausea for the first 2 days, so it was nice to have people bring me juice and food since i was really weak. also, have you thought about how you will get to your follow-up visits - trying to drive yourself or getting someone to drive you there?

you might try testing out the inability to use your feet......act as if you've had the surgery and see what you can and can't reach without the use of your feet.....i tried to stand on both my feet post-op day 8 just to cook and, boy, did both of my feet hurt...and i ONLY had surgery on the left foot. i compensated by putting more weight on my right foot, so that's why that started hurting. anyhow, testing out th einability to use your feet might help you figure out what needs to be moved into reaching distance.

good luck on your surgeries. if i think of anything else, i'll let you know.

All I can say is...you're brave!
Each person has a different pain threashold and recovery.
GET SOME HELP!
Don't expect to do it all by yourself!
Hang in there if you are in pain. Make sure to have your prescription filled ahead of time. And take the pain medication on time to stay on top of the pain.
I felt ill-informed about the outcome/recovery. My doctor told me I would be walking on the side of my foot no problem(I had the left foot done). Wrong!
I was in a medical study and was hospitalized overnight while participating...I ordered those nurses to bring me crutches. Non were offered.
YOu will be okay.
Keep those dogs elevated and iced.
Let us know how you are doing! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/round.gif

Both at once has to be really brutal !

I have had surgery (just yesterday) for a bunion + 10 years ago - both at once (YIKES !)
Not sure how you would get around....

GOOD LUCK - this will not be easy !

I had one foot done on 2/28/03 and was really glad someone was with me the first few days, to get me ice every 20 minutes, so I could keep me foot elevated all of the time. I was also on crutches..Can't imagine having them both done at once! I would suggest having a friend come over at least during the days for the first 2 days to keep you company and get your pain med's , ice and food for you. Then you should be ok, I crawled around a lot..good luck. Knee pads are a fabulous idea!

KNEE PADS are great !!
unless you have bad knees as I do !!!!

good luck!