Two weeks 'til Austin Bunionectomy... - Foot Problems Message Board

DoggieMom · 11-30-2003, 07:11 PM

Hey everyone! I have just discovered this board and am so glad to find a forum to learn more about my impending surgery...
I have some questions that maybe someone could answer.
Of course I am TOTALLY nervous but it seems that the Austin surgery isn't so bad... I am having BOTH feet done at the same time, on December 12th.

I'm an art teacher so luckily I've been able to take about 6 weeks off from school. Anyone who has had this procedure-

Is 6 weeks enough time for recovery? I'm nervous b/c it's both feet.
Also how long before I can exercise again? I'm not a huge athlete but I do love my elliptical trainer and yoga. I guess I need a dose of reality so I don't start thinking I can get back on the elliptical machine too soon.

Thanks!

mom2chet · 11-30-2003, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DoggieMom

Hey everyone! I have just discovered this board and am so glad to find a forum to learn more about my impending surgery...
I have some questions that maybe someone could answer.
Of course I am TOTALLY nervous but it seems that the Austin surgery isn't so bad... I am having BOTH feet done at the same time, on December 12th.

I'm an art teacher so luckily I've been able to take about 6 weeks off from school. Anyone who has had this procedure-

Is 6 weeks enough time for recovery? I'm nervous b/c it's both feet.
Also how long before I can exercise again? I'm not a huge athlete but I do love my elliptical trainer and yoga. I guess I need a dose of reality so I don't start thinking I can get back on the elliptical machine too soon.

Thanks!

I should have read this post first. Sorry. With having both feet done I think you will need someone to walk the dog for at least two weeks. Hopefully others will chime in before long and you will have lots of ideas.

Mine is a horror story so I won't give you the detail. But don't tell anyone you are "just" having bunion surgery. Non of it has been fun for me.

CA Patient · 12-01-2003, 02:09 AM

I had one Austin bunionectomy on Oct 3rd. My doctor had me on crutches for 3 weeks (maybe a little more conservative than other doctors), and by 3 1/2 weeks I could have hobbled to the corner on my own power if need be. I went out on short errands after a week but it was tiring and your foot throbs after a few minutes of being upright. I guess you could walk a dog on crutches but that sounds dangerous! I'd have some one take care of it for you for at least 2-3 weeks. I did non-weightbearing yoga at two weeks and it felt good. I'm just barely getting to the point where I'm willing to put all my weight on the operated foot, so I'm still not doing some poses. By about 6 weeks I could do an elliptical trainer-- though my foot flexibility is still not normal yet. Good luck! I would have liked to get both feet taken care of at once but my doctor doesn't like doing double surgeries so I'm interested to see how it goes for you.

DoggieMom · 12-01-2003, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CA Patient

I had one Austin bunionectomy on Oct 3rd. My doctor had me on crutches for 3 weeks (maybe a little more conservative than other doctors), and by 3 1/2 weeks I could have hobbled to the corner on my own power if need be. I went out on short errands after a week but it was tiring and your foot throbs after a few minutes of being upright. I guess you could walk a dog on crutches but that sounds dangerous! I'd have some one take care of it for you for at least 2-3 weeks. I did non-weightbearing yoga at two weeks and it felt good. I'm just barely getting to the point where I'm willing to put all my weight on the operated foot, so I'm still not doing some poses. By about 6 weeks I could do an elliptical trainer-- though my foot flexibility is still not normal yet. Good luck! I would have liked to get both feet taken care of at once but my doctor doesn't like doing double surgeries so I'm interested to see how it goes for you.

Thanks for the input. I am doing both because if I do one at a time I will be miserable at work hobbling around with little kids, so I figured I would kill two bunions with one stone, ha ha. Maybe I'm nuts. Anyone else had two done at once??

letsrun100 · 12-01-2003, 12:08 PM

DoggieMom,

I agree with you, lets get it over with and get on with life. I had both feet done on October 30, along with two neuromas and two gastroc recessions. I was pretty uncomfortable the first week (or two). I'm doing much better now. Back to work (light duty) four hours per day for one week. I stayed eight hours yesterday and was pretty tired when I got home, maybe that was too much. I've been doing 45 minutes on the cycle at the fitness center along with upper body weights.

I had my surgery when I did so I could recover and get ready for all the neat things I have planned for next summer - retirement, traveling and racing.

Good Luck,
Jim