8 Weeks Post Op and I feel Great!!!!!!!!

eko

Congratulations! I am glad to hear that all has gone well for you! It is great to hear success stories. I wish you continued success! -eko

carolcrone

Glad you're doing so well. You'll be back in your regular shoes before you know it!

HappyMama

that's great!!!

Jenzo71

That's wonderful that your foot (just one foot, right?) is healing so nicely! It's nice to hear good things about bunion/hammertoe surgery. My sister unfortunately is afraid to have either her bunions or hammertoes operated on because she has heard "terrible things" about surgery! I can't imagine it is as awful as some people have said, and I imagine the benefits outweigh the temporary immobility/inconvenience in the long run.

twobadfeet

Jenzo,

Tell your sister everything she'd heard is probably true--it's that bad, and worse. And I'm having it done on my other foot in 3 months.

The pain from my bunionectomy was the worst pain I have ever experienced, and I've had pain in the past so bad it's made me pass out, so that's saying something. People on this board have said that it's easier to give birth. Given that we're normal people here, and as far as I can tell there are no masochists among us, why do we do it? And having done it once, why would we ever go back to endure it again? Because it's the only game in town. When your feet get to the point where you can't walk without pain, or buy shoes that fit, or wear anything on your feet for more than an hour without pain and you start to worry that if you let this go much further it will impair your ability to walk, you have to make another choice. And the only thing that works when it gets that bad is surgery.

And that's the key phrase here: when it gets that bad. My bunionectomy pain was so severe largely because my bunion was so severe, which meant my doctor had to do a lot to my foot to make it normal again. Tell your sister that the good news is if she has it taken care of BEFORE it gets severe, she won't experience the pain I, and a lot of other people with severe bunions, did. Her surgery will be less extensive and her recovery will be shorter and less painful. Unfortunately, people with moderate bunions take away the wrong message from folks who've gone through this. They think because it can be very painful, it should be avoided at all costs, and they put it off till he-- won't have it. Then they virtually guarantee that theirs will be that painful because their bunions are severe. Which is why I'm gonna bite the proverbial bullet and go back for a second one on my moderate bunion in a matter of months. This time it will be better. And when it's all over my feet will be normal and healthy and I'll be able to walk again without pain. And that makes it all worth it.

I know you didn't ask for that little tirade, but to save you from going through what I did, I thought you and your sister should know.

twobadfeet

caligirl1

First of all, your experience may be a lot different from what their sister will have to go through. Giving birth for me compared to this surgery will be 50x tougher. I had NO PAIN hardly at all from this surgery. The ONLY time I had experienced pain was during the night when it was healing. I was walking 4 DAYS LATER, and I only needed my pain medication for the first 3-4 days. And yes, my left foot wasnt moderate, it was pretty bad. I do have screws forever in it as well, and 8 weeks later I would never know I had foot surgery.....My right foot will be a lot easier, but FOR ANYONE READING THIS, the SURGERY isn't as bad for everyone. Some people have no pain and it's a breeze like I did. And I'm being 100% honest. I have no reason to lie to anyone on here!

GreyAngel

twobadfeet is right! I had moderate bunions and so far I've had surgery on my left foot. I've had very little pain and that's even without taking pain killers. There was only one night where I had enough pain to take a pill, but I think the pain had to do with the fact that I had fallen a few days before (yeah, be careful when walking with crutches). I also had some pain during the first couple of weeks if my foot was low for too long, but you're supposed to keep it elevated all the time. It's now been almost 6 weeks after surgery and I'm very pleased with the results (and so is my doctor!) The only thing to worry about now is gaining back the range of motion on my toe and reducing the swelling (which isn't that much now).

I would have liked to have used the fact that I've gone through foot surgery to respond to some of the "I've gone through childbirth!" comment women sometimes make, but I honestly doubt my experience was that painful! LOL

Carlos

GreyAngel

That's pretty AMAZING that you were walking 4 days later! I'm guessing that your procedure was similar to mine since I also had screws put in, but there was NO WAY that I could walk 4 days later. I first started walking without crutches a month after surgery!

Carlos

twobadfeet

I think you missed my point. My major point was that yes, this surgery is very serious and can be very painful (more apparently for some than for others) but that it is, in the end, the only hope some of have of having normal feet again and being able to walk without pain for the rest of our lives. I won't get into a debate with you about how much pain you did or didn't experience--your pain is your pain and only you know how bad that is or was. I also won't get into a debate about how much pain one MUST experience through this process. I can, however, speak from my own experience and it was for me, very bad indeed, but (and here again is my point) that it is sometimes the ONLY choice open to us, and that putting it off if/when you need it because of the pain just insures it will be more difficult. I hope that clarifies my position.

twobadfeet

caligirl1

To be quite honest my doctor didn't even want to give me crutches, he said I can walk fine as long as I keep my surgical shoe on at all times. I wanted the crutches to be safe since I life where there is snow! I was walking around the house fine without my crutches.

Jenzo71

Hi guys,

this thread is pretty interesting. I will have to let my sister know that different people have different experiences. My poor sister's feet have calloused hammertoes; at least the bunions on both feet don't look too bad (I don't think, anyway). And she runs a good 7 miles a day, rain or shine! I must admit I share her angst, though. I have my first podiatrist appointment on Tuesday to see how "rough" my bunions (which, as I have mentioned in previous threads, I thought were normal!). From discussions I have had with people, both at work and on this board, I have deduced that bunions don't "get better"; that they inevitably get worse. Is this definitive? Is the only way to save a ton of pain and suffering years down the road to get them surgically removed? I intend on exploring every option, of course-so far, things like applying ice to the bunions help, in addition to roomy shoes. Perhaps I need an orthotics. Also, if they are removed, what's the probability that they come back? Are peoples' feet "normal looking" after the procedure (after the scars fade, and the swelling goes down)? I just want to walk and hike again without having to put cushioning, loosening my shoes, and everything else that comes with these things, as well as getting rid of the dull ache that I feel a lot in my left foot now (even though the protrusion isn't that pronounced). Sorry guys ; I find this to be an upsetting topic, both for myself, and my older sister. That's why I like the success stories so much

GreyAngel

That is what my podiatrist told me--bunions get worse, not better. You can slow the progress of the bunions, however, but they'll get worse nevertheless. Your podiatrist will probably tell you the same thing. After my bunions are surgically fixed, I will have to wear orthotics for the rest of my life in order to prevent the bunions from reforming.

I'm almost 6 weeks post-op and my left foot (the one fixed) is looking quite good. My podiatrist told me that my foot has exceeded his expectations, which rather makes me nervous since I still have the right foot to go! (What exactly ARE his expectations? I didn't ask him.) I wish you could see "before and after" pictures of my foot, but I could get banned for putting ".com" links. I'll try to think of something.

Carlos

caligirl1

Hi there.

you will be amazed at how well my foot looks now. I had orthodics for years, my podiatrist told me they don't correct the problem, they only SLOW down the damage. I honestly am so glad i had this surgery, yes I am anxious to get back into real boots again, but my foot looks awesome and all I have now is 1 foot to go next year. I was TERRIFIED before my surgery, everyone said it was going to be so painful.....Yeah I was frustrated the first few days because it was snowing and the cold didn't help, but after those first days I didn't even need my pain medication. The only PAIN I experienced that honestly was HORRIBLE was when I'd wake up in the middle of the night, which my doctor said was the tendons reforming or healing or something.......That was it.

chezlux

It's so nice to hear about a positive experience. It gives me hope that I will make it thru surgery this week!!! Thanks!