I'm five days away from the first of two bunion surgeries. I'm a 55 yr old male, extremly active. 6 days a week cardio. Extremely severe bunions. Will I regain mobility for Eliptical training in the near future. Also, I'm not a reader or tv guy. Feeling like I'm in for a rough time. Please send HELLLP to new Jersey!
Hi Bob and welcome to the bunion forum!
You will get a lot of great advice here. My surgery was last October 5th and fortunately I had a procedure that had me up and about within 3 days. I continued to elevate and ice my foot (Aircast IC) whenever I had down time.
My doctor developed the ludloff plate so patients would not be bedridden for 6-8 weeks and suffer muscle atrophy and I am so grateful for it especially after reading about everyone's experience here.
Did your doctor suggest that you have two separate surgeries rather than both on the same day?
Angela
Thanks Angela. One surgery at a time. My doctor never suggested the ludloff plates. I just researched them and wondered if he uses them on his own or do I have to request them. Have to call about it Monday morning. Sounds like the best route, especially for a guy like me. Also blessed and grateful even before surgery.
Bob, maybe you can google to see if you have doctors in your area who use the Ludloff Plate procedure, if only for the second surgery. Check out the thread 'Bunion surgery - much more painful than I ever imagined'. It's very active now.
PS Ask your doctor if he sells the Aircast IC. It is an icing machine that applies ice water and compression every 30 seconds. The cuff is sold separately. It's pricey but can be used for any appendage as long as you have the cuff for it (shoulders, knees, etc.) You can find it on Amazon too but be sure to buy the one with the motor housed inside the cover and be sure it has the compression feature. It helps tremendously with the swelling and healing.
As for exercise, keep some free weights nearby and ankle weights for the leg that is mobile to work your muscles. I presume you are having the traditional surgery which has a lengthy recovery period.
All the best!!!
Angela
Hi, I was very active too and had run a half Marathon approx two months before my op, my dr said I prob wouldn't run again for about 6-12 months. I was wearing high heels approx five weeks after my operation and back running approx two months after my op. It's been the best thing and I had my pre op today to have the other one done. I think if mentally you are determined to be up and about after surgery you will but do take it easy and listen to your body. Good luck!!
Hi Bob as suggested above sign into the other conversation that's going on, it's v active right now, and you're more likely to get replies , I get annoyed that I have to keep,signing into the site for all the different forums!
I've had both feet done, two weeks ago. I'm in the uk. I think CJ is right, it depends on many things and a positive attitude certainly helps. I would say I have a lot of swelling and bruising so I'm going on a regular ice campaign for a few days. My feet feel very stiff at present and I know this recovery cannot be rushed. You must listen to what your feet tell you as well as your doctor.
Maybe you can get in some DVDs? You will need something to amuse you in the early days when your mobility is more limited. Good luck, see if you can post on the other forum running, there are lots of us there who will keep in touch and post their experiences. vVJ
Hi, Ladies and Gentleman. I had severe bunion and hammer toe surgery 2 weeks ago today and just found this forum last night. Everything has gone pretty well. Probably 2 days of excruciating pain but on the third day I downgraded from Tylenol 3 to Motrin (400 mg every 4-5 hours). As of today, I have gone 12 hours without pain meds. I'm 68 and so far guardedly please with my surgery. I'm somewhat concerned about the big to trying to migrate back into the 2nd toe again so I put a sponge spacer between the two toes after my shower tonight. Adding that to the tape strap that the doctor gave me to hold the big toe in an outward orientation will help to keep it where it belongs. I believe the bunion had been developing for over 40 years so I guess that I can't complain too much. I remember that toe becoming quite painful way back when I was bowling in my 20's. I say the Dr. Monday, March 10 and he told me to bring a second shoe on my next visit on the 24th and I'll be able to use it if the healing continues at its current pace. Glad that you folks are here.
Don
Hi Don your surgery was the same day as mine then! Welcome! I like the idea of the sponge spacer. I too am concerned about the migration of my big toes toward the others again. What. Really, after all this I did think they would be straight now but after 50 years maybe I ask too much. I've ordered some gel separators on line. My podiatrist thinks these aren't good but I have no choice right now she is 100 miles away and I can't drive minimum six weeks. From the pics I sent she says there is a lot of swelling to go down yet so for me I think it's going to be a long slow recovery. See above ref Don there is another forum on here which is very busy, it would be easier if we all posted on the same one that's for sure. I'm guessing you too are a US visitor to the site, welcome to the UK you are officially a bunion blogger :-)
Thanks for the welcome. The Dr. allowed me to drive after 5 days. Part of that may be because I live in VERY rural U.S. with very light traffic. His biggest concern about driving was if I had a problem and had to walk from the car somewhere because we still have about two feet of snow on the ground. I'm a minister and was in the pulpit (actually sat in a wheel chair two days after the surgery. I was able to stand through part of the worship this past Sunday.
Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions. Although I'm a bit feared up, it is nice to be on the journey with others who have been thru it. I am a very determined retired Fire Captain and retired ( for now ) high school baseball coach. Patience will be a big part of my recovery. Thanks to all and keep working it!!!
Hi Bob, I had my foot done 8 days ago. Home same day, have stayed in bed for 1st 4 days with foot up 18inches. Took 2 arnica tablets 2 times a day a week beforehand and eversince. No bruising, no swelling (but I do have a plaster cast on) and very little pain. Sure it is uncomfortable but I am not ill and it is mind over matter!! Yes you do All about positive thinking!! Good luck. PS remember to stock up and keep everything by the bed!
Regards
Jill from England
Yes Bob. The biggest challenge I knew would be patience for me and I've been working on it. It's a great time to alter ones tolerance levels and I've surprised myself. I was determined to learn something whilst laid up!
Thanks Jill and good luck to you with your recovery. The blessing for me will be to get thru this so I can help the next person. VJ, I will keep an open mind and continue to have the willingness to learn something new everday. Cool place here. Cool people to!!!! Thank you 
Patience is the key with this surgery! I am now 10 weeks post-op (left foot only, my right is OK). It's been a slow process, which I expected, and every day my foot is a little better. I think my surgeon is somewhat on the conservative side which is fine, and I'm just following what he's said to do. I had a heel cast for 3 weeks, then was in a boot for 3 weeks, and now am in athletic shoes for 6 weeks. I go back to see him in early April. I went back to work after 6 days (that was too soon, but didn't hinder my recovery) and at this time I still rest as much as I can and elevate my foot which helps. Right now I walk more slowly and with a limp. If I don't limp, then it hurts. I was told recovery would be 6 weeks to 6 months, and up to a year before fully normal. That's quite a range of time! My foot itself looks great. Returning to normal functioning is just going to take more time. I am in the US, in North Carolina.
Hiya Mel
Thanks for posting what you say is so helpful - my surgeon is the opposite to you! I had bandages two weeks and Velcro shoes meant to aid heel walking, but they rub now in the wrong places, so indoors I'm in socks or barefoot! So I'm looking at more patience and continued elevation, ok! Be great if you still post and update us. You're two months ahead of me! Good too that you continue to see progress :-). All the best. VJ
Mel, I'm in NC also and had surgery 4 weeks ago on both feet. I'm in boots and will possibly start weaning myself into regular shoes in another two weeks depending on what my doctor tells me at my next appointment. I had both bunions done and toe tendons on both feet. It's the tendons that are slower to heal...the bunions are doing fine. It's so nice to see straight toes and makes everything worth it. I can't wait til I can drive. My right foot is in better shape than my left, so I hope I'll be given the green light very soon. I went for a 1/2 mi walk yesterday with no problems. Sure will be glad to get these boots off!
I am scheduled for March 28th and not sure what to expect. I put on my air cast boot and got the crutches and attempted to go up my stairs. 20mins later and I swear I wont be going down any time soon. Need to practice before the big day. How is the pain after surgery and the days after. How do I prepare for this. I am having the Lapidus bunionectomy and will be non weight bearing for at least 6 weeks.
Anita, first, the pain is worse the first two days but completely manageable with pain pills. Be sure and start the pills BEFORE the ankle block wears off. Prior to surgery I bought a shower chair, a foam block to keep my feet elevated, and my husband built a contraption to put in the bed to keep the covers off my feet. Trust me, you won't want anything to touch them. I'm 4 weeks post-op and I have just stopped using it. I also have a walker and a wheelchair for outings. I had both feet done so you may be able to get by with crutches. Be sure and keep your feet elevated. This helps with swelling and pain. Get as much done at home as you possibly can because you won't be able to do much for several weeks. If you have someone to help you, that's even better. Attitude is so important so gather things together that will help you rest and be happy--books, DVDs, etc. and lastly, have patience. I have a problem with this one especially now that I feel so much better. They say it takes a year for full recovery. So relax, take it one day at a time, and know that it will get better everyday until one day you won't even think about it. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Thanks Lynn. How is showering and how long till you can actually have one. I will for sure look into the foam block. Where do you buy that? I am thinking of renting a knee scooter as I just dont have the upper strength. I have been practising with my mothers walker but it is too high for kneeing and feeling secure. I will look into Netflicks too. Lying around all day is going to be hard especially on the back. I am not one to sit down. I sure am grateful to be able to run around right now. I am already in shopping withdrawal. My husband says he will do the shopping but he is not a shopper like me. Oh well, need to let it go and that will be hard on me. I am also a caregiver for my Mother but we are putting arrangements in place that she is not with us for the first 2 weeks.
I bought plastic covers for my legs so I could take a shower. They were a godsend...just being able to get in the warm shower helped my mental attitude. I bought them and the foam block from Amazon and I would definitely recommend them. I think the knee scooter is a grand idea and in fact my doctor said he would recommend it if I were only doing one foot, but since I did both at the same time I decided on the wheelchair. I know what you mean about the shopping. My husband is not a shopper or a cook! Yikes! He's done very well, but if I don't get to drive pretty soon, I'll pull my hair out. I don't mean to be ungrateful but I just want to wander around the mall on my own without someone asking me, "Where to next?" All I have to do is survive a few more weeks and then freedom!