DoeZ0763
09-29-2003, 01:30 PM
Well I'm 3 weeks since my surgery...I got my stitches out last week and started putting some weight on it...I'm doing the toe exercises the Dr. told me about...I do soak it sometimes in a spa bath...I'm worried because there's some extra white like skin...I know it's dead skin but I don't want to peel at it...will this just fall off? I'm putting neosporin on and covering the scar up after shower/bath...I just want the scar to heal nicely...I still get this oozing also...that's why I cover it still. Another concern I have is that when I do put some weight on it...I'm not completely on the whole foot...I'm leaning towards the outer foot more now then ever...will I ever walk on this foot normal? How long will this take? How long did it take for everyone else? I'm not sitting around...I am up and doing chores like but I do put it up when I get sore. Anyone have any suggestions or words for me? Thank You so much :)
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huhhoney
09-29-2003, 04:25 PM
Hi! I had surgery 8/07 and experienced exactly what you have. I kept my foot elevated and iced as often as I could (for the first 3 weeks or so I used ice as many as 7 or 8 times a day). I put vitamin E then an antibiotic cream over that then covered it with a bandage. My scar is very minimal; the white skin flaked off with just a little help from me using a "pouf" (not sure what you really call it but what women use with a liquid soap in the shower). At my last visit I asked the nurse about the dead skin and also a callous I have. She told me to use a foot emory board or pumice stone gently (I would know when I was pressing too hard). She said to use any kind of lotion after, even Vasoline then cover with a cotton sock. I am scheduled for the 2nd foot on Oct 16th and am so excited! My left foot is finally normal even after a short time; I still have to go easy as I am still in a surgical shoe but as of Wednesday I should be in an athletic shoe (can't wait). Good luck to you and keep watching all the great advice from this message board. People are extremly helpful.
DoeZ0763
09-29-2003, 07:30 PM
That's wonderful...but I'm really concerned that it might not be healing right...I'm putting more weight on the outer part of my foot and even though I'm doing those toe exercises...the big toe isn't really moving...I am still putting on the neosporin after showers/bathes cuz I want it to heal nicely...and the scar to be as little as possible...Are you walking like you walked before? I mean as normal can be...where the foot bends and the bone?(Hope you get that) How long has it been for you? Thanks for your post :)
Maya49
09-29-2003, 08:52 PM
Hi Dee,
It sounds like you are where you should be in your recovery process. I had my surgery on 7/23..and my foot was wrapped heavily and in the surgical boot for that entire time. I was was 8 weeks post-op before I had all of the bandages removed. Since then I have been in a toe alignment splint and a velcro boot. I have tried wearing gym shoes a couple of times, but, was not comfortable with the swelling that I still have. I go back to the dr this week...which by then I will be 10 weeks post-op. So, it sounds to me, based upon my experience that you are really doing ok at this point...as you are still early in the recovery process. Hope this helps.
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~~Maya~~
It sounds like you are where you should be in your recovery process. I had my surgery on 7/23..and my foot was wrapped heavily and in the surgical boot for that entire time. I was was 8 weeks post-op before I had all of the bandages removed. Since then I have been in a toe alignment splint and a velcro boot. I have tried wearing gym shoes a couple of times, but, was not comfortable with the swelling that I still have. I go back to the dr this week...which by then I will be 10 weeks post-op. So, it sounds to me, based upon my experience that you are really doing ok at this point...as you are still early in the recovery process. Hope this helps.
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~~Maya~~
gypsy704
09-29-2003, 09:13 PM
I had a right bunionectomy on 8/12(2 1/2 weeks ago). Around a week postop I noticed that when I stood I would feel alot of pressure in my foot it felt like it was going to explode especially around the incision and my foot would turn reddish/purple. I would have to stop what I was doing and elevate and ice it which helped. This week the pressure and throbbing feeling is alot less but it still turns colors when I'm up on my feet. Has anyone experienced this? If so how long does it last? When I mentioned it to the doctor he wasn't concerned.
DoeZ0763
09-29-2003, 09:50 PM
Gypsy...that had happened to me also...If I put any pressure of the foot it felt like it was gonna explode...so I did just what you said...put it up. Now...Maya...I'm already in the toe alignment splint...since I was 2 weeks post-op. The only time I have the bandages off is when I shower/bath...then I put neosporin on it and cover it up again and put the splint back on. How are you walking now? Are you on the whole foot because I feel like I'm favoring the outer part of my foot now...so I haven't really gotten that far yet. I go back to the Dr. next week so we'll see what he says then. I'm just worrying because I have to go back to work after 8 weeks and you're at 10 weeks...I know...everyone progresses differently...I'm just curious I guess...Thanks ;)
Maya49
09-29-2003, 11:36 PM
Hi Doe,
Well, I am walking ok when I am barefoot around the house. That is really the most comfortable..when I am barefoot simply because of the swelling. When I go out I am still wearing the toe alignment splint and the "velcro boot" Yes, everyone does progress at a different speed..I sure have found this out from posting here. Something else...everyones followup care seems to be so different also..some ppl in cast..others not..I was not in a cast but a splint up to my knee for the first 4 weeks..and under that very thick bandages..after the splint was removed I was still heavily bandaged and in the surgical shoe. But, it felt great advancing to the "no splint" stage.
I was at 6 weeks before that was removed and then I was in the alignment splint and the velcro boot. My next goal is to get into regular shoes comfortably..and to be able to wear them for the entire day..not there yet!...but, soon I hope.
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~~Maya~~
Well, I am walking ok when I am barefoot around the house. That is really the most comfortable..when I am barefoot simply because of the swelling. When I go out I am still wearing the toe alignment splint and the "velcro boot" Yes, everyone does progress at a different speed..I sure have found this out from posting here. Something else...everyones followup care seems to be so different also..some ppl in cast..others not..I was not in a cast but a splint up to my knee for the first 4 weeks..and under that very thick bandages..after the splint was removed I was still heavily bandaged and in the surgical shoe. But, it felt great advancing to the "no splint" stage.
I was at 6 weeks before that was removed and then I was in the alignment splint and the velcro boot. My next goal is to get into regular shoes comfortably..and to be able to wear them for the entire day..not there yet!...but, soon I hope.
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~~Maya~~
spmgj
10-01-2003, 01:35 PM
I am almost 5 weeks post op from my bilateral bunionectomy on 8/28/03. I had bones cut on both my feet but only the left foot needed a screw to hold it together. I had ace wrap until my 2nd post op at 4 weeks. My doctor told me that I can walk now. But when I tried to walk, my feet hurt and felt like exploding. From what I read from other sources, bones take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. I was a little surprised that the doctor said I can put weight on my feet at barely 4 weeks. So I decided to give my feet more time to heal before trying to walk. I keep my feet elevated whenever I can. I have been getting around the house with my hands, butt and heels since the 4th day after surgery. I have an office chair with wheels to move around on the tile floor in the kitchen. That gives me more freedom to get food, reach the sink and do simple cooking. Of course I depend on my family to help with other things: driving, laundry, shopping, cooking, doing dishes etc. I borrow a wheelchair from a friend to use for post op visits to the doctor’s office. I also borrow a walker to help with my walking when I am ready to walk. I am patiently taking it one day at a time. I am sure the day will come when I get back to normal again.