I just had bunion surgery on Oct. 24, 2007 and am recovering well so far. I quit taking the pain pills 2 days after the surgery, there isn't any pain, except
when I am standing on my feet and that is minimal. I read alot of posts on this message board before doing the procedure. My podiatrist recommended
doing both at the same time in my case, since I had mild bunions. I also had several people tell me they would only do both at the same time. Anyway I
have mild swelling and am keeping my feet elevated, with ice packs to control it. I am able get around easily with crutches by putting my weight on my heels and sides of my feet. I just wanted to post here describing my experience with a bilateral bunionectomy, although not all bunion surgerys are the same or recovery the same. So far it hasn't been as bad as expected.

Thanks for your post -- it is much appreciated. I am probably going to have a bilateral bunionectomy in January, so I love to hear this kind of stuff.

Congrats on your procedure and your new feet!

If you plan on doing both, I hope you will have someone to take care of you. I took 3 weeks off from work and my wife is helping with ice bags and food. It will be 1 week today. Taking a shower is a challenge the first 3-4 days. Good Luck to you.

Wow, both feet! Your surgery was same day as mine. I had right bunion done along with a hammertoe next to it and stretching of ligament on back of right leg. I am doing well, but finding the immobility much harder than I thought. I find the crutches and walker hard to use because they hurt. You must have more upper body strength. Did you go back to work? I went back yesterday but my foot was sore at the end of the day. I propped it up under my desk but I think it wasn't elevated quite enough. Staying home today to keep it elevated. My ortho surgeon says 6 weeks in cast (in splint now) and 6 weeks in boot. I'm hoping I'll be ahead of the curve but have been told it's a long healing/recovery period. Looking forward to some pool therapy (after cast is off) and working in some exercise along the way to keep the body moving. I can see why you chose to get both done at the same time. I would have thought it would really immobilize you. Great that you are doing so well. My doc said those who do the worst are those who do too little or too much. Keep up the good work and remember to take care!

Mary

Mary,

Sounds like you will need some time to recover as well. When I asked my podiatrist what he would do if I were him and I know doctors don't like questions like that, he said after 2-3 weeks of recovery, when I started to
feel good again, I would regret not doing both at the same time. However mobility isn't a issue right now, I am able to walk on the sides of my feet or by
using the frankenstein boots, which force you to walk on your heels. I took 3 weeks off work and planned on laying around the house during that time with my feet elevated. Good thing there is tv and internet to help keep me entertained.

Best wishes to all for a speedy recovery!

Dennis

Dennis,

How in the world can you be weight bearing at all so soon - especially with surgery to both feet? I won't even begin to start weight bearing until I get out of the cast in 6 weeks and into a boot. What is a Frankenstein boot?

My best to you. Keep us all informed of your progress.

Be well,

Mary

Mary,

The frankenstein boot is designed so its impossible to put your weight on
anything except your heels, only problem with them is you have to be careful, not to lose your balance and fall over backwards. The procedure the doc on me, was remove a small piece of bone, from bone in big toe and then use 2 screws to readjust the bone. So I can walk just fine using the boots, even lost crutches 2 days ago. When you walk in the boots, it
does look like a frankenstein walk. I am sorry to hear its going to take so long for you to recover, 6 weeks +, the good news is your 1st week is over. Hang
in there, the worst is over, can only get better.

Dennis

Dennis,

That's great. Never heard of it. Your surgery sounds like mine - I have a screw to straighten the toe as well. Then also have a pin in the next toe to correct the hammertoe, which will be removed. And then he stretched the ligament on back of my leg as well - all part of the biomechanical problems that led to the bunion, etc in the first place.

So what is the timeline for your healing/recovery? You never had a splint or cast - just direct to the frankenstein boot? He put me in splint first to accommodate the swelling.

I'll have to ask my doc about your process.

You're right almost 6 days down. Exercise in patience that's for sure. Have to figure out how to "be" at work. :)

Mary

Mary,

Are you catching up on your reading? Staying off your feet, isn't the most fun thing ever. Are you experiencing any pain still? Sounds like we had similar
procedures, to correct the bunion, but your doc did more to correct long term. Might be the difference between a podiatrist and Otho doc. I am hoping to be fully recovered in four weeks. Today is the start of the 2nd week. Can only wait and see, how long it takes for both of us to recover. Alot
of it depends on your age and even bodies ability to heal.

Good Luck!
Dennis