Just plain terrified!!!! - Foot Problems Message Board

Gainup · 07-07-2005, 04:06 PM

Hi,

I've posted before about my bunions and have gotten some great advice. My Dr. said it's not a matter of "IF" I need the surgery, it's "WHEN". Both my feet are pretty severe so he says, pain isn't too bad.

The thought of being bedridden for any amount of time just freaks me out. I am very active and have worked really hard to get my body where it is now. Bottom line, I'm afraid I'd just turn into a big blob lying around. Also, I have one friend who still, after 5 years has hardly any mobility in her big toe. I know there are different stories, some great some not so great. I'm just a big chicken!!!! I just hate my feet and I feel they are getting worse faster now that I'm getting a bit older. I just don't want to wait until I'm old and then the surgery is even worse. Oh, I sound like such a baby!!

Did any of you experienced bunionectomy patients feel this before your surgery?

wakkochic17 · 07-08-2005, 08:11 AM

yeah, you never know what to expect. For me it was bad because my mom had the same exact surgery that I just had 4 weeks ago.. but one year ago. She had to go through a lot.. PT and all.. and then still had to get a second surgery this past Spring. Finally over a year later she is back to normal. For me so far I don't have the problems she had.. but I'm not far enough along to say I won't have any complications. It is a scary thing. For me though, I knew there was no choice. I either go through the pain and the inconvenience now, or go through it later when my foot gets too bad to walk on. My pain wasn't horrible before I got surgery.. but I knew it would get worse and worse so I chose to get the surgery before it got to the point where it was really bad. Unlike with my tailor bunions (both left and right) which I was in a lot of pain before I had the surgery.. I figured by electing it early I also got to pick when I had it done during the year so it wouldn't conflict with too much (for me that would be College Football since I have season tickets to my team!).

joll43 · 07-08-2005, 09:35 AM

There's never a good time to have this done. For me, all I have to do is look at my mom's feet and I feel better about it. Her big toes are almost horizontal at this point, and the toes next to them are raised up. Awful. It was a matter of "when" for me too. PT is so important when you have this done - I'm always surprised to read that people's doctors don't insist on it. Did your friend go through PT? When your foot heals you have to work that toe every single day to get it back - you really have an important role in your recovery - and you don't have to turn into a blob. You can eat right - and I found a great exercise tape by Margaret Richard: it's called Getting Better. She does the "Body Electric" series of workout tapes - kind of dated, but she looks fab and has a SURGICAL SHOE on her foot! She designed the workout for strength-training while she recovers from foot surgery, so all the exercises are sitting or lying down.

I'm still in my black boot on my second foot, starting PT next week. While these two foot surgeries have taken me out of a lot and sometimes made me crazy being at home, I am so glad I did this now and have no more bunions!

Good luck!

rollargirl · 07-08-2005, 10:37 AM

Joll43 is right--there's never a good time. There is one thing for certain--the longer you wait (if your foot is getting progressively worse), the longer your recovery will be. I waited too long and have been at this for almost 6 months with both feet. Yes, you probably will gain a few pounds but once you are back to normal, they will come off again. Good luck to you.

angdang · 07-08-2005, 11:37 AM

I get your fear and totally sympathize with you! Being so sedentary can take it's toll on our bodies so quickly, after all not even going out to check the mailbox. What also surprised me is how tired I am, being inactive is exhausting! But it's 4 weeks (today) and I can start moving about and at least till the other foot is done (next month) I've started doing some arms and leg exercise and I have to tell you, looking down at the straight toe makes me think next summer when the scars are all healed this will all be a distant memory and I will be thrilled! A pretty, normal looking and hopefully pain free foot! We are so lucky and blessed to know that we will recover
and be rewarded.
Hang in there!