I live in Brisbane (Australia) and have been reading about bunion surgery for almost 2 years. I'd like to have both feet done. It looks like keyhole surgery is less pain and faster recovery but I could only find 1 dr in Brisbane who does it and there are not a lot of reviews about him. Did anyone have this type of surgery in Brisbane?
HI,
i had both feet done including all my toes straightened.
it is not painful as far as surgeries go but it is a lengthy healing process.
really 6 to 9 months before your feet really feel like your own again.
it is not minimally invasive but does not include a huge amount of cutting or sutures.
personally, I feel it is better to have both feet done together as you have to wear the block shoes.so is easier to put on both feet.
as long as you accept the convalescence you will be fine, good luck and go for it, it
is life changing to just put shoes on !!!!!
I live in Spain and had the surgery it's brilliant, no pins or screws or pain or walking aids only a special shoe.
Hi, I'm on the Sunshine Coast and am having the keyhole surgery on both feet in four weeks. My surgeon did stress that it was a new technique and that there aren't many surgeons performing it as yet....the phrase "guinea pig" was used in my discussion! I should add that the surgeon is a friend of my husbands (an anaesthetist) and that after a lot of reading and discussion between all three of us I have agreed to let him try this surgical technique on me.
This surgery has been a long time coming. I've been wanting it for at least 5 years and NEEDING it for about 2. As we have 5 children, finding the time to be out of circulation (driving to school/extra curricular activities mainly) was the main delay.
I'll let you know how it goes. I'm optimistic. The outcomes in the literature I've read (and as a doctors wife I have access to medical journals) has been very positive, infection rates are lower and recovery faster, but it was made very clear to me that if it didn't go as planned the surgeon would have to resort to the "old style" bunionectomy and open my foot up. So worst case senario I have the scars that everyone else who has the surgery done has. Seems like a fair "risk" to take!
If it goes well I'm happy to PM you the surgeon's details. You could have a few weeks holiday in Noosa?
Hi Sally!
I hope your surgery will go well! I would be worried to be a guinea pig! It looks like the best surgeon to do this kind of bunion surgery is Dr Peter Lam in Sydney.
Yes, please let me inow hiwvit gies!
Oopsi, how it goes. 😂
Yes Dr Lam is THE guy. My surgeon trained with him, so hopefully he'll have the benefit of all those years of expertise?
Is it weird to say I'm really looking forward to it?
And the guinea pig comment was a joke.....I think......he's a friend of ours!
I'll let you know all the gory details I promise!
Hey Beebs,
Promised i would get back to you, so here goes!
Had the surgery on Monday. In the end I had to have to "old style" slice and dice, as CT scans showed I had breaks in both feet as well, so those were pinned while the bunions were fixed. Shame, but couldn't be helped!
The recovery has been nothing short of amazing. I was up and walking (to the loo) within hours, and now (day 5) I can walk, albeit it slowly and not far, with relative ease. The boots aren't as bad as I'd thought either. Not high fashion, but if you squint they could pass as wedge heeled converse? (Not really, but they're O.K!)
Pain was minimal the first day...nasty day 2 and 3 but yesterday I was down to just panadol every four hours, and today I've only had panadol this morning....nothing since.
As someone said in another discussion, sleeping is the worst. Feet thumping, sheets and doona were so uncomfortable, and sharing a bed really not an option. I have been on the couch/in a recliner. Netflix and a roster of children bringing refreshments worked a treat! And get yourself some of those balloon things you put over plaster casts for the shower.....and a plastic chair.....
I have a follow up to remove the dressings next week. I'm so looking forward to seeing what they look like. Even with the bandages on they are a completely different shape. Look out Summer, I'll be rocking SANDALS!
I hope you find someone locally to do the keyhole version. But given I had the much more invasive surgery and have had such a good experience (so far) I would say go for it. Even if you have to take a few days in Sydney to get over the first bit of the recovery, you would be home by the end of the week without any problem. And as I said, there's always my guy on the Sunny Coast. I'm sure he will have found another guinea pig by now!
I'll keep you posted about the big reveal. Keep your fingers crossed they look more Kardashian than Frankenstien....
Sally
Hi there,
I'm in same boat as you. Had surgery 4 days ago in NZ on both feet and am walking around in no pain. Actually had no pain so far but have been taking panadol and an anti inflammatory. It seems us down under are having far easier recovery times and experiences than those in USA. I had level 3 bunion surgery and just have casts on my feet so walking on outside of my feet. Bandages and casts off on Monday and I walk out in my own shoe. Pretty happy. Deb
Yay Deb!
Yes I agree, we seem to have a better outcome in the Southern Hemisphere!
My surgeon did explain that in the US they do a different procedure....fusing bones? Anyway, I am thrilled with my recovery so far.
I have the sexy booties which will be my fashion favourite for the next 6 weeks apparently. Lucky it's Winter. Couldn't imagine how humidity and the fancy footwear would work.....ewww.
Hope all goes well with the big reveal on Monday. Keep me posted!
Sally
Oh booties for 6 weeks. What do they look like? My feet are in casts until. Monday then I can wear loose fitting shoes. No stitches apparently.. They are internal. Sooooo glad we live in the south! Some horror recovery experiences on here. I've just been to supermarket shopping. So couple hours on feet and am sweet as. Fingers crossed for our recovery x
HiSally, I am interested in your story and I hope your recovery is still going really great. I used to be a RN in Brisbane. I have been researching bunion surgery for some years. I have even consulted a surgeon in the past. One foot of mine is worse than the other so only looking to get one foot done at this stage. I haven’t been able to do the surgery due to work commitments until now. I would be really interested in getting the name of your surgeon? Not sure if I want to do the keyhole thing but willing to give it a go - I feel the tried and true old way might be a better fix for me. Thanks Tracy
Hi there. I had my surgery done in Auckland NZ and its been great. Am running, yoga, gym, driving, in normal shoes. REcommend definatley getting both feet done at same time. You are going to be limited during recovery so if you have to sit down to put your feet up you might as well put both your feet up. I was in the same boat and thinking one foot was way worse but surgeon said i should get both done and i'm so glad i listened.
Meant to add its been only 2 months
Deb you're RUNNING?! I take my proverbial hat off to you! I'm cycling everyday, going to the gym and walking is no issue, but my right big toe is giving me grief. Limited mobility and sensation.....yet.....
Still so happy I had both done. Out of action anyway so resting two feet is as easy as resting one.
I've attached before and after photos. I had a LOT of things fixed.....three screws, a plate and some pins. He said it was more a foot reconstruction than a bunionectomy so there's still a little swelling around. Also I'll need further surgery on the right foot to fix the toe "drift". I have ligamentous laxity (hypermobility) and the ligaments on the foot have stretched allowing the metatarsals to slip. If you look at the before photo it was the worse foot to start with, so I was aware it might be an issue. The scarring also looks worse than it is because I've had bunion splints on and they are pretty tight......and do NOT look at my toenails.....looking forward to getting the ok for my first ever pedicure! They'll always be ex ballerina feet, but they'll be ex ballerina feet that can walk around without pain AND fit sandals, and that's what I wanted going into this.
Oh geepers your new feet look amazing!! Wow!!! 
...holy heck...You are doing great considering how much you had done. I can tell by the pictures you had MAJOR surgeries! Well done to you!!
Hi Deb,
Wow ,Running! -I agree with Sally, well done. So you recommend getting both done at same time? I feel like my left foot bunion is still forming whereas my right is pretty bad. I just want to be able to wear and fit in to nice shoes...not necessarily high heels just "normal shoes". Thanks for posting here it has been really helpful. Cheers Tracy
Hi Sally, Thanks for posting the photos. Yes you have had a lot of work done and your new feet look awesome. I already have loss of sensation in my R big toe so I guess that wouldn't worry me so long as the pain goes. Would you mind PM me your surgeon - is he only Sunshine Coast or Brisbane also?
Thanks Tracy
Thanks Deb! I am in awe of your running....but perhaps that's because I have never run in my life?! Well done to you!
Got any photos?
Def get both done. You are going to be off your feet anyway. My right bunion was always sore and left one didnt really give me much problem running but i'm so glad i had both done! Ill find some pictures