mbliss
07-15-2003, 06:32 PM
Hi. I had a bunionectomy on June 25th. So far my recovery has been pretty predictable. I finally got the last of my stitches removed yesterday at my three week appointment. My scar is pretty jagged and blackish. The scar is about three inches long. Is this normal?? It isn't pleasant to look at. I am concerned to take a shower. I forgot to ask my doctor if I should wash the area with soap. It is still really sore but completely healed. Does anyone have any advice on washing the area in the shower? Also, I am walking around without my crutches quite a bit. Do you think I should push walking - or take it easy awhile longer? My doctor expects me to be out of my walking shoe next week. Finally I'll be able to drive!!
Thanks.
Thanks.
Sponsor
Lasoniamacaroni
07-15-2003, 07:52 PM
Personally I rub my hand in the soap and then lightly wash the area. Mine are a little jagged and a reddish purple. You're lucky you don't have 2 incisions like me. I have been putting on cocoa butter and bag balm several times a day and it seems to be looking better. GOOD LUCK!!!
mbliss
07-15-2003, 10:01 PM
Thanks for letting me know. I'm scared to touch such a sensitive area. Did you start putting cocoa butter on right after the stitches came out? I heard that it can help to minimize the scar.
Also, does anyone know how long I should expect swelling after a bunionectomy. My foot feels like a balloon at night.
Also, does anyone know how long I should expect swelling after a bunionectomy. My foot feels like a balloon at night.
crankyc
07-16-2003, 03:49 PM
Hi, mbliss,
My Dr. advised me to start using Mederma cream on my incisions (I have 3) about 2 weeks after the stitches were removed, plus a few people on these message boards swear by it. It soothes the incision area and reduces the redness. Most of the drugstore chains carry it, at about $18 a tube. You have to keep using it a few times a day for about 2-3 months. I find it refreshing after a bath, and figure it's worth a try, the time is going to pass anyway, right?
Peace,
Chris
My Dr. advised me to start using Mederma cream on my incisions (I have 3) about 2 weeks after the stitches were removed, plus a few people on these message boards swear by it. It soothes the incision area and reduces the redness. Most of the drugstore chains carry it, at about $18 a tube. You have to keep using it a few times a day for about 2-3 months. I find it refreshing after a bath, and figure it's worth a try, the time is going to pass anyway, right?
Peace,
Chris
thelittleprincess
07-16-2003, 06:33 PM
i also use merderma on my scars.
whatever you do - DON"T RUB OFF THE SKIN AROUND THE SCARRED AREA!!! i was so excited to was my left foot after post-op week 4 that i cleaned everything!! top and bottom of my foot - took off all the skin that was flaking off - even the skin near th escar - and it keloid as it healed!!! so ugly. the surgery got that foot was doen on 02/27/03.
but for my right foot (done 06/05/03) i was able to wash it at post-op week 5. this time i only cleared of the dead skin on the bottom of my foot and between toes. i decided to let the skin near th escar fall off naturally. after showers, i'd gently pat the area (make sure you don't accidently tug at any scabs that might have formes). then i applied the merderma. what a difference!!! the scar on my right foot is minimal. gonna have to do some work with my dermatologist for th eone on my lef tfoot. :( hope that helps!
whatever you do - DON"T RUB OFF THE SKIN AROUND THE SCARRED AREA!!! i was so excited to was my left foot after post-op week 4 that i cleaned everything!! top and bottom of my foot - took off all the skin that was flaking off - even the skin near th escar - and it keloid as it healed!!! so ugly. the surgery got that foot was doen on 02/27/03.
but for my right foot (done 06/05/03) i was able to wash it at post-op week 5. this time i only cleared of the dead skin on the bottom of my foot and between toes. i decided to let the skin near th escar fall off naturally. after showers, i'd gently pat the area (make sure you don't accidently tug at any scabs that might have formes). then i applied the merderma. what a difference!!! the scar on my right foot is minimal. gonna have to do some work with my dermatologist for th eone on my lef tfoot. :( hope that helps!
mbliss
07-16-2003, 07:58 PM
Thanks for the advice. I am still nervous in the shower. I just let the water get on it - I don't even wash the area. Then I let it air dry and cover it. I want to try Mederma in the next couple weeks. Right now the scar is very jagged and I can see where each stitch was. It's very Frankensteinlike. Any idea of when the bruising might fade?? I hope it heals nicely. I've had other scars that have turned into keliod scars - not a pretty sight.
I have noticed that my foot that had the bunionectomy turns purple when I am standing. Is this because of the swelling? I am just hoping that I will be able to walk comfortably by September when school starts.
I have noticed that my foot that had the bunionectomy turns purple when I am standing. Is this because of the swelling? I am just hoping that I will be able to walk comfortably by September when school starts.
ATrainergrl83
07-22-2003, 01:18 AM
I had my surgery about 3 weeks ago and I also have a very jagged, black scar, which I assume this is normal because I have dark skin. I was also afraid to wash my foot after I got my stitches out! Trust me, it gets better. I suggest soaking it in a warm bath. That seemed to ease my scar and get rid of the dead skin.
Also, I'm not allowed to put weight on mine but I don't think that a purple foot is good... Hope everything goes well!
Also, I'm not allowed to put weight on mine but I don't think that a purple foot is good... Hope everything goes well!
mbliss
07-23-2003, 07:06 PM
Thanks for your support. My scar (and foot) are doing much better. I can't get over how much dead skin is all around the scar. It is really gross! I am careful not to peel or rub around the scar because I don't want it to keloid. The Mederma cream is awesome!
My doctor has me doing physical therapy. Stretching the toe in cold and hot water. So far I've noticed a lot of "loosening". I'm still not pushing off with my toe when I walk.
My doctor has me doing physical therapy. Stretching the toe in cold and hot water. So far I've noticed a lot of "loosening". I'm still not pushing off with my toe when I walk.
Lasoniamacaroni
07-23-2003, 08:50 PM
OK here's one for you! My podiatrist advised me to massage the incison area with whatever cream I am using. He said it will help break up the scar tissue causing the redness. I hope he is right, because I have been doing it according the his directions.
workaholic
08-01-2003, 11:39 PM
I was also told to rub the area with any type of cream. I hope it works. I've got scar tissue build up on my small toe (I had a hammertoe corrected) but I'm so glad I had this surgery done! No more bunion pain!
[This message has been edited by workaholic (edited 08-01-2003).]
[This message has been edited by workaholic (edited 08-01-2003).]
sawbuck44
08-22-2003, 04:18 PM
coco butter, mederma, eucin, etc. are good things to use on scars. when you apply these products, use an up and down and then a cross-friction massage to help keep scar tissue buildup to a minimum.
PMCW58
08-22-2003, 06:28 PM
My physical therapist-friend today told me to put any kind of lotion on one of my three incision scars and massage it to help break up the scar tissue. She said I had an "adhesion".
ElectricPassion07
09-12-2003, 02:14 AM
I had the surgery when i was twelve on both feet.. one foot at a time. Yes your foot will be soar and three inch scare is normal.. i am sure.. mine is about 2 1/2 inches.. was it with soap and put lotion on it.. try not to let anything bump it cuz that causes worse pain that words can describe. hope everything goes well and if you have any other questions
bigbadfeet
09-24-2003, 08:22 PM
Hell****had my 2 week follow up today ( actually I'm day 16). Stitches removed, but white tape stuff still in place. He said to let it fall off on its own, don't pull on it. He told me I could shower, but don't let it soak (as in a bath) until week 3. I asked him about using Mederma and he said not to use anything right now, and that if he were to recommend anything to put on it, it would be A & D ointment at about week 3.
bigbadfeet
09-24-2003, 08:25 PM
Yikes! All I said was hello ....as in the other word for "Hi". The censoring program is a little too sensitive.
Terrimisu
09-25-2003, 08:22 PM
Bigbadfeet, you and I had our surgeries about the same time. I had mine on Sept. 15. I just had the stitches out yesterday, and my doctor told me to put some vitamin E cream or oil on the wound. I bought cream, because I think it's easier to use, but he said even breaking open a plain old vitamin E capsule will help. I also take vitamin E just as a regular vitamin. I put the cream on today and, aside from the yuck factor of having to touch the wound when I applied it, it felt rather nice. Soothing. Wouldn't hurt to ask your doctor about it if you like.
skap
10-02-2003, 07:00 PM
I had my bunionectomy on the 15th of September, I had the stitches removed this past Monday the 29th. I finally got to take a shower today the 2nd of October. What a wonderful feeling...
My foot looks horrible as far as the site. It's still really bruised and somewhat swollen and the scar is not the prettiest thing I've seen, it's also really dry. My doctor said to take a shower and put plenty of my favorite lotion on it afterwards, then to put a sock on over it. He told me not to soak it at all. I have to see him in two weeks on the 13th.
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on a good lotion I could put on it to help the scar heal nicely? I heard not to put Vitamin E cream on it, I've heard the Mederma is good but is so expensive, so I was looking for an lotion that is good but not really expensive? Any suggestions... Thanks so much!
My foot looks horrible as far as the site. It's still really bruised and somewhat swollen and the scar is not the prettiest thing I've seen, it's also really dry. My doctor said to take a shower and put plenty of my favorite lotion on it afterwards, then to put a sock on over it. He told me not to soak it at all. I have to see him in two weeks on the 13th.
My question is does anyone have any suggestions on a good lotion I could put on it to help the scar heal nicely? I heard not to put Vitamin E cream on it, I've heard the Mederma is good but is so expensive, so I was looking for an lotion that is good but not really expensive? Any suggestions... Thanks so much!
Maya49
10-02-2003, 08:41 PM
Hi skap,
I have been using Eucerin cream...it is really very good for dry skin and even use it to massage on the incision.
------------------
~~Maya~~
I have been using Eucerin cream...it is really very good for dry skin and even use it to massage on the incision.
------------------
~~Maya~~
mbliss
10-02-2003, 09:41 PM
Hi everyone. Just wanted to let you know that the Mederma cream worked really well on my scar. It is pricey, but it's worth it. One tube lasted me from July until a week ago. I noticed that scar became flatter and smaller once I started applying the cream.
I am so happy with my decision to have a bunionectomy. Yesterday I bought three new pairs of shoes for the fall/winter. It was so great to slide my foot into a shoe and not see a big bump protruding out of the side! I still have a bit of swelling even though it has been three months since the surgery. My doctor said the swelling could last 6 months to a year! Hopefully it will go down soon.
I am so happy with my decision to have a bunionectomy. Yesterday I bought three new pairs of shoes for the fall/winter. It was so great to slide my foot into a shoe and not see a big bump protruding out of the side! I still have a bit of swelling even though it has been three months since the surgery. My doctor said the swelling could last 6 months to a year! Hopefully it will go down soon.
ENC
10-04-2003, 09:48 AM
I just had a bunionectomy on my right foot as well as the repair of hammertoes on each foot. It has been a week and a half since my surgery. I have had virtually no pain. In addition I have 4 inch pins in the 3 toes that were corrected. I think that the secret to my no having pain is that I have kept my feet elevated for 80-90% of the time and sleep with them elevated. I have been showering since day 5 (being careful not to let the water go on the stitches full force.) I reccommend keeping your foot elevated whenever you can. Had a bunionectomy on my left foot 12 years ago and yes the swelling can go on for up to a year. But all in all it is so worth it and much better for your posture and overall health. Be patient, over time things will return to better than they were before!
ENC
ENC