I am now getting emails from concerned friends that bunionectomies are too dangerous, often fail, and are worse than living with the bunion...I have a surgeon that I trust implicity; my bunion is causing hammertoes - 1 so far on next toe; next toes will become them, also. I have arthritis in my big toe - the longer I wait, the less stable will any pinning be done...in fact, my left foot, which is the one, now requires a more complicated wedge (US term) to cut bone at the bottom of my toe because the easier (Austin) with quicker recovery cannot be pinned into the arthritic top part of the big toe bone (whatever it is called) - I have been with my doctor for 10 years - I got orthotics, babied my feet with clunky expensive orthotic shoes from New Zealand and Germany...my achilles will be cut also because I have a bone spur and my heel does not come down as far as the front of my toe...my surgeon was trained at John Hopkins...my latest friend wrote: "Susan, have your bunions hurt terribly for a long time? I have unattractive bunions due to heredity and wearing shoes that were apparently too small in earlier years, but my doctor told me that it would be better to not have surgery on them and stay in good shoes that don't hurt them rather than having the surgery, as long as they don't hurt, which they do not. I hate to tell you this, but I've heard that the surgery oftentimes doesn't work and you still have a problem afterwords. I was just concerned for you." Reassurance anyone? Thanks, Susan
Oh dear it is so confusing isn't it?!
i think your initial comments sound sensible and you sound like you knew this was coming and was part of the plan. There are loads of positive stories of recovery and improved pain.
surely long term the prognosis is better with surgery than without.
i wish you well.
Hi Susan
I had my bunion and hammer toe on both feet done about 6.5 weeks ago. I am healing well and very happy with the way my feet are looking now . I can drive ,Cycle
Go shopping and take walks. I still have slight swelling which I will probably have got a few more months and my feet ache if I overdo it. Despite all that I am very happy I had it done. Two of my friends and my cousin had the same op done few years ago , none of them have failed and all three are free of pain and have cute straight feet and toes and it was their encouragement that made me go ahead with my surgery.
I sorry your friends are not supportive ? They should be as living with bunions is no fun . As we get older the bunions get worse and the surgery and recovery more difficult.
Good luck
Thank you, Sue...(lots of Susan and Sue's with bad feet...LOL) - this well-meaning friend has questioned some other decisions I have made and I think I need to chalk it up to her situation is NOT my situation) My aunt Dolores ended up with all toes practically hammertoes - have you seen that - it was ghastly and VERY hard on her to get them fixed, but she did...I know where I will end up if I do not do it NOW - I'm 64 - originally my foot doctor said "oh, do it by age 70" when I was age 54...Now I can see I am even going to have the right down eventually because there is a simpler procedure where I can be in some time of a shoe in 1 week...I think I have to just ignore any negativity right now...
sorry - I should "proof" better before I send - I'm going to have the right done before it is as bad as my left and , where I can be in some type of shoe in 1 week...this is genetic in my case, as maybe others of you?
Star, thank you. I am actually helped MUCH by this forum - you are like a lifeline to me right now - yes I am seeing some negative results even on this forum BUT I have thought this through and feel I have NO choice...I'll just thank friends that are negative for their thoughts and then just try to forget about what they said...anyway, I was NOT asking advice just from anyone - my doctor and surgeon and this forum - yes...I believe what many have said here - you are NOT hearing all the positive results on a forum like this maybe, BUT I need the expertise of you who have gone before me to educate me and give me perspective...
next big fear - no general Anesthesia - just local pain block and then what they call here "twilight" , which I needed to look up as "Twilight anesthesia is an anesthetic technique that uses mild doses of drugs to block pain, reduce anxiety, and provide a temporary memory loss, thus enabling patients to feel comfortable during and after surgical procedures. With twilight anesthesia a patient is sedated but remains conscious in what’s commonly referred to as a “twilight state”. The patient is sleepy but still responsive and able to follow direction or communicate with their surgeon. Typically, a local anesthetic that’s applied to the surgical site is used in conjunction with twilight anesthesia to ensure a pain-free experience for the patient."
BACK to me: I do not want to be aware of him SAWING my toe bone - that is probably my biggest fear - this is outpatient...
Hi Susan
As long as you trust your surgeon and have done your research and preparation , you will be fine.
The first 3 weeks is hard as your mobility is restricted and it's quite boring stuck at home , but in the end it's all worth it. Should be easier for you as you are doing one foot at a time .
I will you well and all the best. Let us know how you get on after your surgery .
I meant I wish you well.
I had the same , local anaesthetic and sedation ( twilight ). I didn't feel anything , didn't hear anything and can't remember anything. So don't worry .
Yes my dad suffered with bunions and foot problems. I think the earlier you have surgery is surely better for recovery.
sending you lots of positive thoughts 😄😄😄😄
star, thank you. I think I MUST keep my mind busy the next 6 days and I'll be okay - I can start obsessing on my fears which is NO GOOD...
Hi, Susan!
You already make you decision, so now be positive, have your vitamins, practice balance, eat well and think we'll. We all were going through this. But unlike your friends, all mine were positive about operation.
i also have local pain block, believe me it's better. I didn't hear or feel anything. In fact I was busy shopping on line in my dream.
ok, I hope you prepare everything around your bed: fun stuff, cleaning stuff, some socks, underwear, some nice food treat, cherry juice for healing the bones, prunes, not to have problems with your stomach. If not, start doing it and stop worrying!
After operation do everything : elevate and ice, I did it for 2 weeks all the time and even after. Do upper body exersices .
good luck and remember- your support group is here for you!
What a delightful reply to Susan, Irina. I couldn't say anything better except Ditto! 😊
I agree...a lovely reply...just like a big cuddle on the forum!
Thank you, ladies!
I was blessed with wonderful experience, organise and plan everything, all little details. So, I really wish you all fast and painful recovery!
I do believe you meant painless recovery Lol 😀
thank you for that info and the positive thoughts and confirming that NOW is the time for my surgery.
I'm having computer problems - that is why I am slow to respond to you...Knowing it will be worth it helps a lot, Star. I will definitely keep you updated; in fact, I hope I do not become a nuisance...LOL
Not at all . Love to hear how it goes for you. Best of luck .