Irina, I was in the process of replying to you an hour ago, and my computer crashed, so I lost my reply to you. I am going to copy everything you say here and actually all the other replies from all of you because 1) I need to calm down 2) it will be reassuring for me to review at my times of doubt and fear. Your list of things to have around me, well they are going on my "To Do list" right now; I've got to focus on positives right now...I ordered a wedge for bed - an Ortho type; getting my ice packs lined up (I'll have a cooler near me) I'm thinking more setting up around my recliner - is it going to just be bed for a day or more after this? Then that means I will set up there - I'm picturing sitting up in a recliner; I'll ask the surgeon tomorrow when I have my pre-op appointment with him...my husband can always cart everything around for me...LOL...I was already planning to lift light dumbbells for my upper body..Irina, okay, I'll try to shop online when I'm in my surgery "dream state"...thank you.
Sorry star, I am doing to many things at once- trying to do herb container, but the weather have its own plans- it's rain now!
Hehehe I was just joking . I do lots of typos too.
You are doing terrific- wedge is very good, I use it. About bed, is different, for me it was 2-3 days and I felt stupid to be in bed. So, I was changing it for sofa with my feet on the wedge on the coffe table. I created my bedroom on the first floor, open the door from one room to another, creating a big space with the bed and sofas around, it was something. You see, I love new experiences, even they can be not very pleasant. So, for me it was like a play, at first to stage a scene, than play the best
for food: chicken, beans, salmon, almonds, brown rice . For inflammation : Ginger , cherries, pineapples are wonderful!
Don't forget yougurt, it's good to have it before your pills. At first better to stay away from salt.
You've made a positive decision with the right choice of surgeon for you so don't worry, understandable, but really no need for last minute wavers, it's strange that the operation has somehow has gained a far worse reputation than the actuality. There's plenty of us here who are very happy with their recovery and new feet, so much so I can't wait to have my second foot done!!! And as others here have said, plan, organise and endure those first couple of weeks of elevation, it's certainly worth it to aid your recovery. Enjoy dreaming of online shoe shopping in your twilight state! Wish you well Susan.
Sorry, Susan, I also have problems, could not finish my post. About exercise, I found on You tube some upper body exercises. It's not body weight. You just put good music and....fly- do moves with your hands like a wings. When do a little bit of boxing. You can conduct the orchestra, I don't remember all of them. And do the moves with your arms like you are jumping the rope. I start doing dumbels later.
Just looking in before I go to bed. Ask yourself this - if you were to take notice of your 'concerened friends' and put this operation off would you regret it? I think the answer would be 'yes' because you have come so far and gave it a lot of thought e.g. research, surgeon, questions, planning for after operation and THIS site.
We are all individual and have our own minds, and so do our feet!, the state of our feet have brought us to this point in our lives. We are not doing it for cosmetic reasons - we are doing it because at this point in time we are so fortunate to have this surgery available.
Whenever we are able to make a decision voluntarily surely it is always hard? No-one puts themselves through this for fun - it is to correct deformities. So Susan think of all those treats and those excercises - I feel worn out to think I should do them when my turn comes.
Anyway I am off for consultation tomorrow and have my list of questions. First one on list can I have a general anesthetic - I don't want to be awake.
Good luck
Irina, see I would not have thought of this idea without your help, but our house is an open concept house and I have a huge amount of room around the recliner, but not in the bedroom - with the wedge, I could have my legs up high and be reclining and even sleep there if needed. During the day I will try for this within a day or two...staying in a small bedroom will depress me...I must stay on a Low Carb diet for health reasons - the chicken, salmon, almonds, would all work for me - diet ginger ale - you are giving me some ideas. Greek yogurt - perfect - yes I am concerned about stomach upset...thanks so much. I am making "crock pot" chili and chicken soup this week to freeze ahead, although my husband usually cooks, he will have enough to handle; so thought I would try to help for the next 5 days when I have 2 working feet...
Bee, thank you for your words of encouragement.
Hi Gilly - let's report in - I will be back from my surgeon's consultation tomorrow Monday, noon Central time zone in the US. I believe I have to go with their anesthetic, which is not general, but I will ask, also. and Gilly I cannot turn back on this decision now; I have thought it through - 90 percent of people have supported me...
Susan, you are so right! You don't need to be isolated in the bedroom , be the centre of Univetse in your house, big space is everything. It's a pity I could not send you a picture of my reorganization. I also use children's pockets you used for little things- I put masks, creams, all other little things and hang it on the wall near me.Put a calendar . I prepare a lot of stuff, I never used because of quick recovery, like crutches . Main advice: listen to your body and to your feet, because everyone is different and need different stuff.
There is a reason why they are not going with general, you can look it up
your help is invaluable...a new unconceived, useful idea is to me like gold...
Hi Irina - the reason I am asking is because when I saw a orthopedic surgeon specialing in foot ankle surgery in 2006 he said I would have a general anesthetic - without me asking. I thought it might be because of my foot deformity.
So now I am seeing a podiatric surgeon it will be interesting what he says when I ask the question.
What I do think is it is great that we are all able to discuss this 'before/after' rather than be in our own little bubble with just the surgeon and ourselves.
Hi Susan - yes I will report in. Good luck.
Hi Susan, I am now 3rd week after op. It seems a lifetime since, but my cup us half full so am looking forward to recovery. My surgeon was very blunt before the op, he told me all the things that could go wrong, the length of time for recovery and how painful it would be. But I still went ahead. Before the op I can remember having my doubts, my inner self was saying do you really want to go through this and that was right up to when I was in the anesthetists room before surgery! But my other self kept saying, if you chicken out now then at your age (I'm 70 at end of year!) you'll never have it done and so suffer for rest of life.
I was lucky to have my bed in living room, and loo fairly close to this room, so from the first day I spent all day in recliner and just sleep in the bed. You will need extra pillows or cushions on your recliner to raise your foot, and I started with a wedge pillow for my foot in bed, but ended with one pillow. I still rest my foot on a pillow in my bed, so much more comfortable and soothing for it.
Im getting around a bit more now, even cleaned the kitchen surfaces this morning, my husband has been wonderful but he does go as far as cleaning them and sink as much as it needs ;-). But on my wedge shoe for half hour or so was too much, so am now back on my recliner with foot up.
So my advice is: you have already made up your mind to have the op so go ahead, you are very well prepared so enjoy your break, look at it as a holiday to do what you want in the comfort of your recliner. Keep the foot raised for at least 2 weeks and then every time you sit down. Listen to your foot.
My stitches and dressing are off on Wednesday, so looking forward to the next stage of my recovery. Good luck, it will be good.
Barbara, in my consultation with the surgeon and my husband was there, my surgeon at that time did not talk hardly at all about the reality of the operation. none of: what could go wrong, the length of time for recovery and how painful it would be. SO Today when I see him 5 days before op, I have a long list of questions for him...I will see how the wedge works in bed; and hey, if it ends up being a pillow, whatever works and is comfortable...at 3 weeks after op, supposedly I can "weight bear", but as you point out, maybe just a little bit at a time...Good luck with your removal of stitches and dressing... I will try to just keep going these 5 days, and ignore the anxiety as much as possible, since I am going ahead, regardlesss...thank you very much.
I see, Gilly.
of course, it's the choice of your doctor and may be he has reasons for this.
Usially, they don't do general. So, anesthesia influence only your feet, not whole body.
I got my left foot done a month ago and now day 3 for my right foot!! I would say my left foot is free from that yucky, aching, gross bunion feeling!!! It still has its surgery pain but other than that it's great! The faster you get them done the better. I'm 27 now and have been waiting years to finally get this surgery! Can't believe its all done! Trust me you will most likely love the results! So much better than all that unnecessary pain!
Also I just wanted to say that at 3 1/2 weeks I could walk without the boot and in a tennis shoe. Now it's 5 weeks and I'm wearing my old shoe! My right foot of course is now feeling the surgery pain of the left. 
not as much because I'm walking everywhere.