Hi,
I am going to have bunion surgery Dec. 31. I am a little nervous to say the least. Not knowing what to expspect but it has to be better than my foot hurting like it is and the problem of standing or walking right now is getting worse.
I have noticed my bunion on side of my foot is getting bigger too. I didn't want to have this done before Thanksgiving or Christmas though and thought I should wait. Any good suggestions of what to do or what not to do after surgery. Thanks, Polly

Hi Snodove,
Best advice I can give to you after surgery is to make sure that you elevate your foot (above waist level) use the ice pack,follow your doctors orders, and make sure that you have help especially in the first week or two.The elevation of your foot will help in a big way with the swelling and any pain that you may experience. My dr gave me a script for Vicoden, but did not use it..I did take Advil and that helped very nicely with the pain.

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~~Maya~~

Hi Maya,
Thank you so much for the help. I will make sure I do that with the elevation and the ice. I think that is a very important time right after surgery. Polly

Hi, snodove,
I had my bunion surgery 6/3, and it was one of the more aggressive procedures that can be done. The key to pain management is to take the medication before the pain starts. I took the Vicodin as soon as I got home, and round the clock for the next 2 days. After that, I just took Advil or Tylenol for throbbing and dull achiness. It really wasn't bad at all. Hope this helps!
Chris

I agree, I did not think the pain was excruciating. It felt very very swollen, but not terribly painful. I had a prescription for 30 pain pills and took 18 of them and I don't think that's too bad. The worst part of the surgery is the feeling of being a bit handicapped for a while and walking so slow. Usually, if the swelling gets uncomfortable, I'd just prop up my foot and it would be fine. I would even hike up my left foot in the window while driving if it was really bad! Not a pretty sight!!! But I couldn't help it!!

I agree with the others; follow drs. orders. Elevating and icing are probably the key. I couldn't wait for my first surgery Aug 7; now I am excited about having the right foot done Oct 16th. You really do need help for the first week or so (my husband was a tremendous help--my 81 year old mom???let's just say "I love my mom"! however for the next surgery it'll be hubby to my rescue. Good luck. The people on this message board are extremely helpful.

Hi Chris, Thank you. Yes that does help alot. I find that Vicidone.. spelling.. helps me alot or it has with kidney stones. Polly

PMCW58
Thank you for the tips. Yes, I think that just knowing you can't get around is the hard part of it. I am used to just doing for the cooking,ect ect and it will be hard not to want to do it but I know by doing something to soon isn't good either. Polly

Hi Huhhunny,
Thank you. I appreciate your suggestions too. I wondered about my mom coming up or us going down there but I am sure hubby will do fine I hope. I know he can cook when he really wants too. lol
Hugs, Polly

Hi snodove,
By all means make sure that you have help around for the first week or two...you are just not going to be able or have the energy to do much of anything. It does take a lot of energy just to do what is really necessary. And if hubby doens't want to cook...order out!...worked for me. I didn't have anyone here to help me and it was not a pleasant place to be. So, if anyone offers help...grab it!!


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~~Maya~~

Hi Maya
I agree with you. I sure will get all the help I can get. I had eye surgery once and dh was pretty good about that so I hope he will be now too. I think he doesn't understand what this surgery is exactly but I think when he seems my foot he sure will. He did pretty well when I had eye surgery so I hope he will be understanding now too. Hugs, Polly