So, I have my date! June! Excited and nervous all at the same time, I'm reading lots lately about swelling, pain and being off your feet longer than you thought. This IS a difficult surgery, and I know it's not going to be easy. Trying to put some positive vibes out, and remembering why you did this, is anyone brave enough to show off their tootsies? Maybe before and after? A lot to ask I know ( not even sure we can share photos?). What do you all think? Thanks ladies x
Hi
First of all don't worry, it's not as bad as you think . I had bunion and hammer toe op on both feet 4 weeks ago. Today I had my 4 week check up and I am very happy. I am off the post op shoe and can wear ugg boots and trainers . The wound has healed and I am walking albeit gingerly but walking pain free. I have started walking barefoot as well with no pain.
The first 3 weeks was a bit hard with the pain and being immobile but then it gets better . It's worth it as the feet looks So much better without the ugly bunion . So don't worry and have it done . Good luck.
I would but not sure how! Mine looks loads better but now I have an odd pair and as my right gives me no pain I willl continue to be odd😜
i am an impatient patient but overall the foot looks great and all toes in a good place. I only regret the uncertainty it creates but hopefully will be in a position to reflect positively once I get more mobility and lose the recovery twinges and stiffness.
good luck!
A lot of people who are happy with operation don't go to this site, keep it in mind. People with problems try to find help here. I was like you, make my room downstairs, arrange tons of books, PG, cleansing stuff and all kind of snacks. Prepare crutches, walker, creams, vitamins, you name it! Start walking from the first day in the shoe, on the third week - normal shoes. Never used walker, crutches. I invest in special pillow to elevate my foot, love it! Used it all the time. Bought cold wrapes- 2 of them, no problems and very comfortable to use!
Do your part, Rae, and keep positive thinking! Good luck, every case is different !
Thank you, your doing do well, I'm glad everything has gone smoothly for you, sounds like a great recovery Star, Hope it continues for you. X
Your right Irina! Never thought of that! Suppose once your happy you'll rarely return, only to offer advice I suppose. I love reading all the posts, really helps with my lists yo prepare. I'm taking Vit C and Zinc, not sure it will help but I'm happy to try anything. X thanks for your support x
Hi Irina, where did you get your special pillow? I live in Oxford, UK and would like to find one as you said you loved it. I'm not sure you can advertise but you could send me a private message?! I may get my feet done next year but don't have any pain, just trouble finding shoes that fit! I have narrow feet apart from the bunions. I think I'd get both done at the same time as I don't think I could cope with two lots of pain and recovery!
It sounds like you're doing very well, did you have MIS?
Hi, Mumbles!
You can put normal pillows, but it's not the same. I think I always can use it in the future, just to rest your legs.
i bought it on Amazon, it's called High Vision ortho bed Wedge with cover. It's like 37-40$. I put both my legs up.
my doctor was against 2 at one time, so I'll do left foot later.
Exuse me , I don't know that is MIS , explain me, please.
Hi irina is right many people use the site of they advice for problems but there are many who have had bunion surgery with no problems and very good recovery and another good point be prepared at home all helps, my recovery was quicker in some ways and my main problem is im impatient I can wear my ugg type boots or running trainers but afterwards my foot does ache but I don't see it as a problem more about my healing process, I'm 5 weeks post op and getting about really well only the odd ache and twinge nothing I need pain relief for also remember all of our consultants give out different advice for ur post op recovery, I had no crutches no cast or boot just a post op shoe which was fine, I was told to heel walk and after week 3 walk with my full foot, felt odd but I think a lot is because ur wary of using it, also some have had slightly different surgery and some by Ortho surgeon others podiatric surgeon, I only had one foot done and it hasn't put me off having other done. I found the sat around doing very little the hardest as I love walking and going gym not back at work yet find out next week when I can return, good luck with ur op and you know everyone here to help oh and I'm pleased with how it looks too
Well done! You have a date and I am gingerly, or should I say creeping softly, behind you. Reading Irina's response to you I think put all this into context and all the other replies are so supportive.
I read the posts here and think 'No! I will forget it.' Then I think 'Will you regret this if I do and I am sure the answer will be 'yes'.
So I have come this far and found this brilliant site! Loads of 'tips' and advice so what more could we ask for? We are gathering our information and knowledge how good is that? I was told 'fail to plan so plan to fail' and I think that is what this site gives you the tools to make the best of this we can and the rest is up to the experts.
Thinking of you and a speedy recovery to all those post operations.
Hi Irina,
thanks for the information, I'll look on line! MIS means minimally invasive surgery, in other words key hole surgery. It is not possible with all operations but it means a faster recovery time as less damage to feet. I have read that bunions can come back, though that is probably down to what is worn on the feet after surgery!
I'll see what the surgeon says about my feet regarding my right one which isn't as bad but then how do you get shoes that fit, if only one foot is done?
all the best.
Hi, it really depends what type of surgery you need and from there find a like minded "bunion buddy" on here. We have all had different procedures with different recovery rates and all the replies you will get at the moment will not necessarily be the same for you. I would say, as others have said, being prepared before hand can be half the battle! For me both pre and post op, I have found this forum most helpful and have picked up some great tips along my journey so far and I hope in turn I am also able to offer help and advise when I feel it may benefit others. At the moment the one thing I would say that I don't think anyone has so far mentioned is this, whatever time frame they have given you for recovery (again, it really will depend how minor or invasive your procedure will be) you will need to add extra weeks on top. For example, in my case, my procedure was quite invasive and I was originally quoted no more than 8 weeks recovery, from the moment I opened my eyes after my surgery that had changed to 12 weeks (and potentially more!). Why did I have it done, because without it, I would get to a stage in my life when apart from not being able to find any footwear to fit my foot I would have not been able to walk properly and would have needed a walking stick at some point in the not too distant future, so for me, it wasn't so much about how it looked but the impact it was having and would have on me for the rest of my life. Do I wish I hadn't had it done? Somedays I do when I get fed up of sitting and staring at the same four walls but those moments pass and yes I am glad I had it done. I am 7 wks post op and still have quite a journey ahead of me.
Good Luck... and please make sure you share your experience with us once you've had your surgery 
Oh... nearly forgot! I have been wondering about sharing photo's on here myself as I think some before and after (and during) photos would be very interesting, I believe we can add an image if we click on the icon at the top of the discussion box on the right (a mountain and sun type image!)
Hi
i asked my consultant about the bunions coming back. He said that only 5% of the bunions come back and usually within the first 6 to 12 months of the surgery. Let's hope that none so us will be in that 5%.
i will try to post some pictures of before and after surgery . I am 4weeks post op . I had scarf surgery on both feet and hammer toe correction on both feet.
Hi Rae
here are before and after pictures . I had scarf surgeryof bunions in both feet and hammer toe correction of second toe on both feet. Feet still swollen and the scar is still visible. This is 4weeks post op.
Thanks Star, very positive reply. Did anyone measure their feet before surgery? Only in some photos, The bunions look as if they're still there!
i wouldn't be very happy if I'd undergone surgery and they hadn't removed the bulge but opened up my foot! Sorry to dampen the positives! Some photos are great though....
Hi Mumbles
after the surgery as the foot is still swollen, sometimes it looks like there is still a slight bulge. It changes from day to day as the swelling goes up and down. Ofcourse in some cases there is under correction and the bulge is left. I have my X-rays and it shows complete alignment which I am pleased about it. As long as you have an experienced surgeon you should not have that problem, so don't worry and good luck.
Hi mumbles
see my before and after pictures. 4weeks post op. Still swollen.
Hi Rae. Before and after. Really pleased with the alignment! 😀 don't know why two are upside down. Just post op,today and before the op
Shiny foot is because I was in the bath so it is wet rather than operation related! 😜