I’m having a Lapidus Bunionectomy next week and would love feedback on pain level on days 1,2,3, etc. how long were you non weight bearing. Would you have the surgery again?
Hello. I had both feet done within the past 5 weeks. The first foot was a complete breeze. Never experienced any pain at all. With my first anesthesiologist the ankle block lasted over 48 hours. Never felt any pain at all even afterwards. It’s just extremely important that you keep the foot elevated as much as possible and iced. Hopefully your doc prescribed a cold therapy machine. My second surgery however was a little different. I had another anesthesiologist and I experienced some pain (not too too bad) immediate after waking up. I experienced pain this time around for the first three days. Nothing could touch the foot at all and even the boot was painful to put on. I am 5 days post op now and doing completely better. Once the swelling went down I am not able to bend my toes, put my foot on the floor for a little bit, put the boot on with no pain, etc. Hoping for a speedy recovery from this point on. I can’t stop staring at my new foot. Can wait until the sutures are out next week and I can see at once . Good Luck. It’s wirth it if you picked out a very good surgeon.
Thank you for your reply. I hope you ha e a speedy recovery
HI Annie - I’ve had bunion removal and hammertoe surgery on both feet a year apart, There is no denying the early stages were painful for me but everyone is different. I managed the pain easily with painkillers. I was advised to stay off feet as much as possible for the first two weeks and for the next four non-weightbearing with a heelboot. You can see I did it twice so yes it’s worth it!!
Good luck and keep us posted on your op!
Jane
Hi Annie,
After op there was some pain, but not severe as some people have experienced, my pain after op was about a 4. Did not take any pain relief. In the 6 weeks off , my foot was elevated.
After 6 weeks when wire and dressing removed, I was allowed back to work and was driving.
The worse was finding a comfortable shoe, I am a size 5 but have to buy a size 6 and wearing either sketchers flex appeal, these are fab. Or canvas shoe. Wasted too much money on trying to get a good shoe.
I have never had pain on the sole of my foot like some people . Between 6-8 weeks I had an awful time with the top of my foot, I was in so much pain, I am going to put this down to the shoe I was wearing at the time as since I have worn the skechers or canvas shoe, this pain has gone.
As soon as I put a wellie on for a short walk with the dogs, this seems to irritate top of foot again.
At work I elevate my foot under desk, I have a box and pillows.
My foot is swollen but can bend my big toe again slightly. The numb feeling took about 10 weeks to go and getting my feeling back in my foot.
The worse part is the swelling but not much pain but have been advised this could take upto a year to go down,.
I still elevate my foot as much as possible at home,.
I have no choice but to go through this again as my other foot has a bunion, but will not do this until I know the other foot is completely ok, but honestly, my foot has not been as bad as what some people have experienced and I don't have any issues going through this again.
Time, patience, elevation are key for this op. My doctor said to me gravity is the enemy for this op. In other words elevate as much as possible.
Where people have had problems with this op, not sure if this is down to the surgeon or surgery or just the healing process for the individual.
Let me know if you need any other help or info, hoping I have not missed anything. X
I have had no pain. Yes I will have my other foot done. 2 days none weight bearing, now a week on but I rest most of the time with my feet elevated.
Hi Annie
I think we all expect too much! My surgeon said the healing process can take up to 18 months. So expecting to be back to normal within weeks is unrealistic.
Dreading buying shoes, but I've only been able to wear trainers for two years anyway!
Take it easy.
P.s. I teach so never sat at a desk. I think it could be a while before I go back!
Hi Annie,
Not sure of the actual name of the op I had, but yes I would have it done again, that said I am 10 weeks post op and not out of the water yet. For the first 6 weeks I had little or no pain, the worst bit came when I took the bandages off at week 6. My best advice to you would be take it easy, rest as much as possible and be patient. One aspect of the recovery is the boredom, get some good books, company, and pray for sunshine so you can at least spend sometime outdoors. I thought 'get it done whilst the bad weather is with us' but the restrictions the winter caused are awful. I have found that communicating with others going through the same process and recovery has really helped me. I had a raised shoe and crutches, they were cumbersome and in the ice and snow positively dangerous. Good luck for your op next week, and bear in mind if they give you an ankle/knee block that will keep you pain free for a few days, but will make you unsteady.
Hello Annie,I am 7 weeks post op. Double bunionectomy with big toe fusion. Post op,I had minimal pain etc, at any time, which surprised me, but I had listened to my surgeon regarding rest,painkillers, and weightbearing etc.
I can walk more than those initial first weeks of recovery, but not as much as I hoped. I put this down to the severe cold weather we have been experiencing the last few months. I do get very tired if I walk too far etc. Now that the swelling has reduced, and scars are healing, I love looking at my straight toes! I wear orthopedic sandals at the moment, that's all I can wear; I need to buy new footwear soon. I have no regrets after having the surgery and I look forward to the day when I return to full mobility. Go for it!
Thank you all for your replies, I hope all of your recoveries were quick with little pain. What did you have put n after surgery, cast, just a dressing, and what did you use after surgery? Crutches, walker, wheelchair, one of those knee wheelie things?
I've had no pain only a little discomfort on walking the first couple of days. I only had a dressing and a special shoe for 5 weeks, no walking aids.
Hello! I had Lapidus fusion done on both of my feet only 5 months apart. I haven’t regretted it at all. I was non weight bearing for 6 weeks after each surgery. I only took off 3 weeks of work for each as well. I had a kness scooter which was a life saver. Physical therapy is a must. I have full range of motion in both of my Big toes now. My scars are healing nicely and sometimes forget that I have the screws and pins at all 
Hi Annie,
I am 8 weeks post op today and doing fairly well. Your pain level will be the worst the first few weeks , at least that was my case . I don't know if my procedure was the Lapidus but I have been non weight bearing for 8 weeks. I see my foot surgeon this Friday. I am learning that the recovery process can last for a very long time. I do need to have my other bunion done at some point but not to sure at this point.. I would advise you to follow doctors orders completely ,stay off your feet as much as possible(bathroom trips only) ice and elevate! most important understand this will definitely try your patience ! Good Luck !
I never had a cast or a boot. My doctor requires just a soft splint and a surgical shoe for the 8 weeks. I used a knee scooter and would definitely recommend one of those!!
Thank you, I will definitely inquire about the knee scooter
Ok, thanks for your reply. I hope my surgery goes as well as yours
Glad your surgeries went well. Thanks for the reply
Thanks for the advice. I wear the flex appeal now so hopefully I can wear it after surgery.
No pain!! Wow, I hope my surgery goes as well. Thanks
I’m a teaching assistant so I know I won’t be back to work for atleast 6 weeks! Thanks for your reply!