I was so excited to find this board today. I hope you all can help me decide. (and I'll try to make it as brief as possible).
I am almost31 years old and have bunions on both feet (on each side of my foot). I never wear heels (maybe 2 times a year for weddings), and basically don't care about how my feet look, I know I am not doing this for beauty. I have ugly feet in general, besides the bunions, my toes look like fingers (added bonus for me). So, polishing or caring for my toes makes them look more like fingers. In general, I ignore my feet whenever possible and don't wear sandals, except when on the beach. My feet are U_G_L_Y and always will be, so surgery would not be to help them look any better.
About 4 years ago, I began working out regulary to loose weight (I was successfull!!!), and running 4-5 times a week on the treadmill. It was about then that I noticed a very noticable pain at times on my feet. Also, I noticed in hurt more when I wore certain shoes. Long story short, I finally figured out that it may be bunions, so went to a podiatrist about 3 years ago for an opinion.
The experience was not that great. He basically said that the only reason to have the surgery was if I could not take the pain, and not for cosmetic reasons. He also told me that I was already past the first stage surgery and would need at least the "moderate" surgery. He told me to think about it and come back for surgery when I couldn't take the pain anymore. I asked him if the bunion would come back after surgery and he said, "yes it might". I asked him if I could run after the sugery, he said "probably". Basically, he didn't leave me feeling too confident about anything and didn't seem to give me a straight answer.
So, I let it go then and decided, "Not yet". Now, I'm still running 4 times a week, buy "wide" shoes which my heels flip out of because the rest of my foot isn't "wide", and basicially avoid wearing shoes around the house or when sitting at my desk. I think my bunions are getting worse (my feet feel more "deformed" by the week), so I decided to make an appointment with an orthopedic(sp?) surgeon that is scheduled for the 19th for a consult.
I know my bunions are bad enough to warrant surgery. I know I'm not doing this for cosmetic reasons and even though I am only 5 1", I know that I'll never regularly wear heels, so it's not to wear fancy shoes. My main concern is that if I don't get the surgery, my feet will just get more deformed, until I am unable to walk, or work out any longer. I have noticed lately that when I'm not wearing shoes, I'm almost loosing my balance because of the way my big toes are pushing. It feels as if my tendons are constantly stretched....
I'm just scared that surgery will make it worse. And, after reading some of the stories on this board...I'm even more scared.
I guess I am wondering why most of you got the surgeries... was it to wear "nice" shoes again? Was it to "work out"? Or, was it because your feet were so deformed you were having trouble with them?
Also, any suggestions on what to ask the doctor when I see him? Apparently, he is one of the best orthopedic surgeons in the city. And, I know someone who recently had the procedure done by him and was fine.
Finally, I know this is silly, but I would prefer getting both feet done at once. I live in a high rise appartment with an elevator (and a partner to help wtih showers). And, I am sitting most of the day at work. Am I crazy even to think this would be possible?
Thanks so much to ANYONE who reads this entire thing and EXTRA THANKS to anyone who can offer advice or suggestions!
Its a good idea to have the surgery, once the recovery is over yur gonna be glad you did it.Im getting bunion sugery on both feet on april 4th.don't worry your not alone.
To <girlwonder>: I had surgery (Austin bunionectomy with 2 screws and cyst removed) on 2/20. I had read some of the horror stories on this board and was in a quadry for a while (you can check out my posts under "need bunionectomy advice", "bunionectomy 2/20 update", and "calling all those. . . ."). First of all, GET A SECOND OPINION definitely! I did. I ended up having my surgery by a podiatrist (but thoroughly checked him out and even got recommendations from surgery personnel). I am one of those who have had positive results so far. I did NOT have it done for cosmetic reasons either (I too have very ugly feet and don't wear sandles very often and never wear heels--only flat dress shoes). I had a mild bunion but had a very painful cyst on the side that made wearing shoes impossible (only had 2 pair that I could even tolerate, and they both had the lining worn out where the bunion/cyst had "pushed out" the leather). I would have the surgery all over if faced with the same situation, although I have had a much more positive result that some others. I am postop day 18, drove myself to work, and basically working as usual in a postop shoe, although I am limiting my trips out of my office or on my feet as much as I can. If you have a good surgeon in whom you can put your trust and feel comfortable about, I think that is a major hurdle. If you have access to your local hospital staff or someone who does, you might try asking the OR staff who they would recommend. Otherwise, check the physician out with the medical or podiatric boards. Best of luck! Let us know how things go!
Thanks for your advice. This appointment on the 19th will be my second opinion...so hopefully that will help me decide. IT is a very tough decision...one I am not taking lightly at all.
I guess my main concerns are being off of my feet for so long...I am addicted to working out at least 4 times a week..and being able to work out once I have the surgery (with recovery time of course)
The main reason I would opt for the surgery would be so that I can continue to work out/walk correctly and live a "normal" life.
I'm actually wearing high boots today (I have many pairs of dress pants that even though are "petite", are still too long for my short self!). And have for the most part, gone barefoot around my office here at work. I haven't worn high shoes in so long...I forgot how much it hurts. I guess it's time to take all of my clothes to get hemmed so this doesn't happen again!
OUCH!
I'll post again after the appointment on the 19th. Take care all.
well, congrats on finding this chat board before your surgery....i found it after my surgery which was 02/27/03. webmom76 has much positive stories and great advice. she is one of the few with a positive bunionectomy so far.
well, i am 26 years old and have had bunions my whole life. i always hated my feet as a kid - embarrased more by the many corns and calluses than the actual bunion itself. finally, i got rid of my corns and minimized my calluses by the time i was in college (thanks to the $$$ i spent on dr. scholl's products). so from then on i was comfortable wearing open toed shoes (flip flops). i wear heals occasionally - they have to be wide in front, like a round or square toe box, and the heel can be 1 1/2 inches, maybe 2 inches high. but over the last few years, my feet have been hurting constantly - even when i would wear flip flops or my new balances or adidas (those brands tend to be more wide in the front for me). i noticed that they were getting extremely worse in the last two years, so finally decided to have the surgery. my feet were hurt 10 minutes into a hike, and after a few minutes during tennis. anyhow, i went to a podiatrist who was recommended by my friend's mom (a nurse). i guess i really trusted her judgement, because i didn't even go for a second opinion. my first visit in, i told him i wanted the surgery a.s.a.p.
i am doing extremely well. got my left foot done first. it's now post-op day 12 (1 week behind webmom76) i did go back to work post-op day 4. saw my doctor again on post-op day 7 and he said that i was doing well - he was surprised, but happy, that there was no swelling since i returned to work early. (i'm in cancer research, so i'm often walking between my lab bench and my office). more about my bunionectomy - the bump was cut/shaved off, my metatarsal bone had a "v" cut at the head. now there is a pin in my foot - i can't take a full shower until it is out (somewhere between week 4 to 6). stitches will come out this friday. should be 8 weeks for full recovery. (oh yeah, i ditched my crutches post-op day 10. ) i'll have my right foot done as soon as i can fully bear weight on my left foot.
about getting both feet done at the same time - my sister's neighbor had both done at the same time - she says to invest in really good knee pads, because unless you have someone there 24/7, you'll be crawling to the bathroom, kitchen, etc. she did hire someone to help with the grocery shopping and cooking. for me, i rather have one foot done at a time so that i am somewhat independent. it's between having the ability to hobble around on one foot or sitting around waiting for someone to help me move about( if i were to have had both done at one time.) yes, my recovery time is now doubled since i am having one foot done at a time.......but i am able to "walk" with my left foot flat - a little awkward, but i'm walking and back to most normal activity. i did freeze my gym membership for 3 months - figured it would be too difficult to work out. but i do have yoga tapes/dvds and a balance ball at home for some activity.
hope this helps with your decision. good luck on your surgery.
Should I get the bunion surgery??? 
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