Bunionectomy - One foot or TWO ?? - Foot Problems Message Board

EMG · 02-12-2004, 12:28 PM

I would never have thought about getting both feet done at the same time, but comments on this board have made me start thinking about it. I can get a wheel chair & maybe 2 (one for work & one for home) My neighbor has said she can drive me. BUT I live alone, how much of a problem is it to get from the bed to the frig for more ICE ! ! I dont want any surprises, I feel as though I can get thru anything as long as I have the worse case senario covered.

HappyMama · 02-12-2004, 01:17 PM

Hi there. I got both done at the same time. Since doing that, I have discovered this board and found out many more things about bunion surgery than I knew before I had my surgery. One thing that I have learned after doing a lot of research is that if you get both feet done at the same time you are more likely to have the reoccurence of the bunion.

To be honest, this recovery time has been so slow in my humble opinion, and if I didn't get them both done at the same time I'm not quite sure if I would have gone back to get the second one done. So in a way I'm glad that I just went ahead and got it over with.

It will be VERY tough if you live alone. I can't imagine getting this done without my husband's support. He has cooked for me, cleaned, brought me my change of clothes, etc. Still to this day when I have to go to the bathroom at night I just scoot myself down off the bed and crawl there b/c I'm too lazy to put on my shoes in the middle of the night.

I don't know, if I were you and I was the only one at home I would probably do just one foot. That way, too, you can see how your feet react and you can decide if you want to get the other done.

carolcrone · 02-12-2004, 02:04 PM

I found 1 bunionectomy to be very incapacitating; I would never have considered having both done at the same time. The first week, there is a lot of pain, even using 1 good foot, and you need a lot of help. How would you reach the freezer to get the ice from a wheelchair (maybe your freezer is on the bottom). Also the ice needs to go on 20 min on, 20 min off, so you or your caretaker will constantly have to go back & forth to the kitchen. I'd think you'd have to hire someone or get someone to live in for the first week. If you're in your wheelchair getting stuff like ice & food, you're not elevating your feet above your heart and that's likely to cause lots of swelling & pain. Just my opinion. Good luck with whatever you decide.

sweetficus · 02-12-2004, 04:11 PM

The 1st week, especially the 1st few days, are beyond belief in terms of pain, discomfort, and inability to move. I was practically helpless and I only had one side done (and I am pretty strong and have good balance, even then I almost fell on crutches a couple of times just trying to go to the bathroom only a few yards away), even w/ my mom doing everything for me.
I would definitely not recommend having both done at once, unless you have a couple of really strong people at your beck and call around

PMCW58 · 02-12-2004, 04:21 PM

I think I might have to say "NO WAY" on this question. I had my bunionectomies done 8 months apart, although I probably could have done them about 6 months apart but the timing wasn't right..I think that the only way to make it through this surgery for someone who lives alone would be to do them one at a time, but either have someone stay with you for a week or so or go stay with someone for a week or so...I cannot grasp a person with a bilateral bunionectomy being able to take care of themselves for quite a while.. Just my humble opinion..
PMCW (Paula)
right foot bunionectomy 1/6/04
left foot 5/03