How long after bunion/osteo will it be before I can walk on sand/beach and not worry about sand in my incision?
how about going to a pool? once doc gives ok to shower? about how far along is that?

Well, for me, I was told by my doctor that I had to wait until both pins were out plus one week before I was allowed to get the foot wet. That was about 4 weeks. My bone had already started to heal at 3 weeks, but if I had been able to go to the beach at that time I'm not sure I would have gone on the sand or in the water as I don't think things felt completely stable. I am now 3 months post op and back to walking my regular 6 mile course every other day. BUT, that isn't the same as walking on irregular and soft sand or getting beaten about by waves. Going to the beach was actually the first question I asked my doctor when I started to discuss surgery with her as the beach is my favorite place to be and our yearly summer destination. I had great concerns about damaging the toe after surgery or having pain while walking on the uneven sand.

For most people, once you get the go ahead to get the foot wet, then the pool or beach isn't a problem unless your incision hasn't healed. Keep in mind that the skin on the incision will be much more supseptible to the sun and will burn easier. For me, that means it would turn dark brown and stay that way...it would be hard for it to fade on me as I have an issue with the way I heal with scars (even acne leaves horrible forever dark spots on my face.)

Other people have had their own issues with healing time for both the bone and the incision. You really need to listen to the doctor and keep looking at the xrays to make sure you are completely healed.

I went on vacation to Aruba about 6 weeks after my bunionectomy. Did not have any problems and walking barefoot on the sand actually seemed to make my foot feel better!

I think so much depends on how you are healing as we all seem to be moving at different speeds on this board. THere are several people who had surg the same day or one day different than I who have been in shoes for several weeks now and I won't get into a shoe for another week (I am now 6 1/2 weeks post) I went from a partial w bearing shoe to full weight bearing surg shoe this past Monday (6weeks post) so I don;t think I will be ready to walk barefoot on the beach for a few more weeks but then again.. Bunionlovah was able to do it at 6 weeks.. so again there is a range for you:)

i asked this same question to my doc once before for one of my prior foot surgeries and the answer he gave me was, when the pins came out and the incision was closed. it ended up being about 6 weeks or so.