Pauline,
we will just have to keep each other going !
i had both feet done and all my toes straightened with k wires used.
I also feel like I will never walk properly again !
hell this is one hello a op !!!!!!
Oh dear I am only a weekpost op left foot bunion and 2nd toe straighteng with a k wire. I told my manager I would be back at work in 6-8 weeks working 11.5 hour shifts!
I've looked at peoples YOU TUBE blogs post op and they have all been quick recoveries...what have I done?
Hi Robyn, so sorry to hear you are still so swollen! I am three weeks post-op and I iced relgiously every hour for first week! In first few days I iced even twice/ hour and first few days elevated 100% of time My doctor said that its inflammation and swelling that causes the pain - and healing will happen quicker if I keep the swelling down. I feel good now and I think the bones may now be fusing as I don't hear that nasty clicking anymore when walking. Didn't the doctor tell you to use ice at all?? I think you need to and often!! Good luck, hang in there and keep us posted!
Hi Robyn, wow both feet, can't imagine that, I am struggling with one being done. I worry about work and how I am not as far forward as I expected I would be. In my job I obviously have to be able to walk long distances every day. I feel like I will never be able to do my job again and that obviously causes me great concern
Hi Nellie, yes I too was told 6 to 8 weeks and got a sick note for 8 and expected to go back to work on light duties before that time was up. I have just been signed off for another month by my gp and have to see him after that probably for another sick note. Makes it difficult at work when you can't give them an accurate recovery expectation. I too checked out utube and everyone's running about after a few weeks. I can't imagine getting any better very quickly as I am 9 weeks in now and hobbling about. My walking is very stiff and my 85 year old dad has to slow down to a crawl so I can keep up with him. I hope you progress quicker than me but be prepared for the long haul. If I had been better informed I doubt I would have had the op but now that it is done we will just have to go through the process and hop we make a full recovery
Hi Susan, my surgeon said not to ice after week 3 which I find crazy. My foot still swells anytime I do anything so you think ice would help. He said it would not have much effect now but I find this contradictory to what others ate told
Are told, sorry
Hi Pauline yes I have not iced since first week... I think that that is true advice however lots of icing early was I think key to keeping my swelling down. Honestly I have had a very positive experience and I am so sorry to hear so many on this forum having a tough recovery....
Hi Susan, glad you are having a positive experience. Last time I saw my surgeon he said the swelling was OK. You don't really realise how your whole foot swells until you try to put a shoe on. I am in men's trainers one and a half sizes bigger than my normal and my foot fills them after a couple of hours. You would think ice would help even at this stage?.
Good luck with your recovery, you are very lucky. 👍
Thank you Pauline19861.
I am really concerned that I May have jeopardised my recovery. While I have elevated around lavatory expeditions I have NOT used ice at all! My pain after day 4 decreased. My Podiatrist never suggested ice with a emphasis only on elevation. Its nice to hear how you and others are recovering 
Dear nellie8 Where did you have your surgery done? I am 2+ weeks post bunionectomy on both feet ( minimally invasive) with k wires in place for another 10 days. One foot is definitely more comfortable than the other! I have more redness ans some numbness in one foot but thankfully little pain. Well healed wounds but can't wait for wires to be removed! Hope you are get on well.
Hello Nellie. I don't think you'll have jeopardised healing by not icing. My consultant didn't say to ice. My healing is going to plan. I am 16 weeks post surgery can just about get back to my normal size shoes. At 7 weeks I too could not even get extra extra wide shoes on and was thinking this would always be the case. Keep elevating your feet when sitting down and gradually they will go down. This is major surgery and needs time for healing. I had both feet done any even they're healing at slightly different rates. Glad I had the operation done, no regrets so far.
Hi Hillybilly -Nottingham Treatment Centre a week ago today!. How about you? I had right fot bunion and 2nd toe straightened, dissolvable sutures and should be sent an appointment for dressing change for the 2nd week. I am worried that haven't used ice, pain has been minimal ( after 2-4th days) elevation had certainly made foot comfortable.
Thank Sandalz its nice to hear and compare how others have managed! This forum is a god send!
Hi all,
I forgot to mention in earlier posts, that not only did I ice every hour for almost whole first week after surgery (bunion one foot only plus toe straightened) but my doctor also instructed me to take Arnica pellets, (a homeopathic remedy that helps with inflammation in the body) 3x/day starting one week prior to surgery and continuing one week after surgery, and also to drink pineapple juice in the early post-op, because the bromelain in it supposedly also helps to reduce inflammation.
I am now 3-1/2 weeks post op and walking decently in surgical shoe, have really had little pain other than towards end of day when it feels heavier and throbs sometimes if I've overdone it. But any pain I have had, even since the surgery has been manageable. I still elevate whenever I am sitting, but have had bandages removed twice now and it doesn't look too bad at all...
So I think my doctor's instructions were on track for managing the swelling and inflammation. So sorry to hear about those of you with more difficult and prolonged recoveries. Just want to share my experience for those contemplating surgery, as this site has been a great comfort to me, both before surgery and after! Thanks!
Susan,
Toronto, Canada
Hi nellie8, I iced for a good three weeks, especially at night. My surgeon said icing would not really help after week 4 so I stopped. When the weird nerve endings pain kicked in on vweek 3, icing was the only way to numb this throbbing pain. I am so glad I found this forum, I thought I was alone in my pain and worried but I am not.
Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your story, you seem to be one of the luckier ones. I am at week 10 and barely able to walk at all apart from around my home with no stairs. Good luck for a speedy and successful recovery.
Hi Denise, I am at week 10, still swollen, stiff and sore and barely walking outside. I only got signed off initially for 8 weeks and I almost had to beg for that. I am a postie????? Have had to return for another sick note but will still not be ready after that. Nightmare.
Hi Pauline I am 7 weeks now still swollen but today was first day I walked normally for a short time so hoping this is the start of improvement!! I still can't walk far I am wearing a size and a half shoe size and eee width fitting I always sit with my foot up and have had no pain for a week I have also started to go swimming each morning just for 25 mins but seems to be helping, I hope you start to see improvement soon we are all different so will all take different time to heal
Hi Denise, very glad that you walked normally today, even for a short distance. My foot is so very stiff when I walk I look like I have had can hip replacement!!! I just wish they hadn't told me 6 to 8 weeks. I felt so useless. Still do. Glad we can all support each other on here. Good luck in your recovery. 👍