5 year update
Hi everyone. I want to give a big "Thank you" to those who have found my blog and have posted comments, questions, and shared your personal stories about the surgery. Recently, I've been getting several comments (yes, 5 years later!) asking if I'm still happy with my results, if I've seen any recurrence, etc. Instead of posting the same response over and over, I thought I'd post about it, my first on this blog since 2006.
I have absolutely no regrets about having both feet done at the same time or getting the surgery in the first place. At the time of my surgery, I was 20 and on summer vacation from college. AKA...no responsibilities! Now, at 25 and working a full-time job, I highly doubt I would have done both at the same time as I was pretty dependent for at least a week or two before being able to care completely for myself/figure out the routine. I'm lucky enough to have a wonderful family who was always willing to help, but if your circumstances are different from mine, you might not want to have the double. Have one done, wait a year or so, then tackle the other side. It will make life easier and less painful (even though the worst pain only lasted a week or so).
I've had no recurrence and my feet look wonderful. I can't begin to tell you what a confidence boost it was/is to be able to wear flippy floppies without trying to hide your feet all the time like I did pre-surgery. When I posted last, I thought my feet were healed, but they were actually still swollen! The swelling didn't completely subside for several months and my feet don't look that fat anymore :-) I do have a slightly visual scar on both feet but they're barely noticeable. In the summer, I have to add extra moisturizer due to swimming in pools and walking barefoot/in sandals so much. Other than that, the only person who asked what the scar was from was the lady giving me my pedicure!
Anyways, that's my 5-year update. If you have any additional questions, don't hesitate to ask. I will always answer. I have the same email address so all comments are mailed to me automatically. Here are some pictures from this past summer (May 2011 and July 2011) and since I never posted a picture of myself...me! Sorry for the 2nd pic, it shows up the right way on my computer but I don't know how to rotate on here!
posted by Trendi at 5:57 PM
19 Comments:
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Hi Natalie,
I just recently found your blog. I have found really mixed reviews on a double bunionectomy so it was refreshing to read about your experience. I am getting surgery soon (the pain has gotten to be too much) and am nervous about potential complications and the recovery. Was your doctor comfortable with the double or did he recommend having the surgery one foot at a time? How are the bones fixated? One of my biggest concerns is finding a good doctor but there are so many in the area that its been tough trying to figure out who is reputable. Most patients who post reviews either had a good or bad experience. Finally, did the width of your feet change materially after the procedure? I am so used to seeing my foot with the bump now that I am not really sure what is a normal width. Anything you can share would be great. I hope you are doing well!
Katia, My doctor encouraged me to get both done at once for the reasons I stated in the post: young, not working at the time, with family around 24/7 to help me the first week especially. The bones are fixated with a metal pin in the big toe. I went to the head of podiatry at a large Chicago-land hospital. I'd recommend a large, well-known hospital since you are dealing with cutting off part of and resetting the bone. Also, I've seen nasty scars in some pictures so you want someone with lots of experience. Make sure you ask lots of questions, e.g. How many bunionectomies have you performed (recently), What will the scar look like, How long will I be unable to walk/run/get the foot wet, etc. Also, as you can see in the pictures the width of my feet has definitely decreased. The first time I saw them I almost fainted lol from being so disturbed from seeing my feet so thin! No more blisters though, and I got used to them very quickly :-) Thanks for reading and I'm happy this was helpful!
Thank you!
Thank you for sharing this. I had a bunion surgery on my right big toe on Monday and I found your blog in the middle of the night while I was crying wondering if the pain was worth it. I have to admit my first week checkup (actually on day five) tomorrow morning is scaring me but at least I have an idea of what to expect. I honestly did not think it was going to hurt this bad.
I haven't been able to walk yet but I think the way it is wrapped is causing me to put a lot of weight over my whole foot rather than my heel. I worry I am not pushing myself enough but it hurts so I don't know.
I'm getting lonely and bored so I am jealous you had such great support from your family. Plus I think being alone is causing me to think too much. I keep coming back and reading parts of your blog and it really helps.
Anyway I really just wanted to say thank you for sharing your experience and keeping it out there long enough for me to see it. I wanted to let you know that you are really helping me through this.
Renee
Hi Renee,
Thank you so much for your comment, and I promise that the pain will go away soon! The first few days were the absolute worst and I spent the first nights awake praying for a few seconds of relief. My first post-op visit went poorly, I was shocked from the look of my feet and the release of the bandages caused all the blood to rush to my feet and I almost fainted! In retrospect, I laugh, but at the time, I was heartbroken. After giving them more time to heal, they looked much better, so what you see tomorrow morning is NOT how they'll look a week from now :-)
Also, I remember how scary it was to walk. I literally had my parents on either side of me holding me up like a toddler throwing a tantrum because I was so scared to stand/put weight on my feet, crying, whining, the whole deal lol. If you don't start walking ASAP though, scar tissue can develop and you may lose some mobility in your toes. My sister had surgery on her toes (not bunion) and she made that mistake, now they only bend at the bottom knuckle!
And trust me, I was bored too. I missed the whole first month of summer vacation! I went crazy from doing so many Sudoku puzzles! It's so worth it though, no more embarrassment, pain, wide shoes!
Thanks again :-) nat
Hi Natalie,
I just had my surgery a week ago and also experienced a lot of pain. Now the pain is more manageable but I also have a weird, tingly sensation that shoots up my leg any time I move my foot. Did you also experience the same thing? In the first couple of days, I had my foot elevated/iced as much as possible so I am hoping that might be why I have this weird feeling in my foot and that it will go away in time.
Katia, I couldnt remember any tingling sensation in my legs, but when I went back to my "I love Vicodin" post from may 2006, I wrote that I had tingling in my feet. I assume it's just the nerves healing and shooting all crazy signals :-)
I'm glad the worst of the pain is over. Now you just have post op visits to look forward to! Good luck.
Hey, I've been researching double bunionectomy religiously lol- I came across your story and would love to ask a few questions. I want to have both done at the same time..I've always had these painful bunions - theyre not too bad but bad enough that its time to do something about it-anyway I graduate college may 18th which works out perfect for me because my significant other will have two weeks to help me out. However- I have a 2 year old- by the time I have my surgery hell be almost 3. I will have hubby exclusively for 2 weeks but after that it will be me part time with the little one (im sure my family will help out) but still I will be home with the baby. Im just about ready to have a teaching position in September- so this surgery is important since i'm always on my feet as a teacher. I really cant take the pain anymore and the motrin isn't helping anymore. What do you suggest? how long til you were able to do some activities? how long was it before you could fully resume all activities? I'd really appreciate any advice! thanks!
By the way my email is justinax143@juno.com if youd prefer to email me back thank you!!
Hi justina! Thanks for the comment. If you read my blog (may-July) you can see the timeline of what I was able to do like walk, run, swim, etc. by reading the posts.
Natalie - I just came across your blog as I am preparing for a single bunionectomy in two weeks.
I was surprised to see that you were walking around freely without any special shoe 4 weeks into surgery. My podiatrist said I would be on crutches for 4 weeks, then an ortho boot for another 4 weeks, then in a soft sandal for ANOTHER 4 weeks. This seems like a long time. (I'm only 25 years old.) What all did you do that really helped along the recovery?
Also, how severe was your bunion on your left foot? Yours looks a lot like mine. My dr says he has to cut the bone to realign it, then shave off the bump on the side, then also realign the top bone of my toe to make it fit with the bottom bone. Is this similar to what you had done?
Thanks for any insights/advice!
Georgia
Hi Georgia, thanks for the questions!
My podiatrist told me up front that I'd be walking immediately. He did not give me crutches, and I had both done! He also said it would only take a few weeks to be up and moving. I definitely think that you (like me) have age on your side. Your bones will heal quicker the younger you are. Second, I'd recommend to start walking as soon as possible as tolerated and allowed by your doctor. My sister had a similar surgery but didn't walk because she was scared, she now has permanent scar tissue and has lost significant mobility in her toes.
Regarding the severity of my left bunion, I think my podiatrist did what yours is planning on doing. He shaved off the end and had to reset it straight with a pin. I haven't had any trouble going through airport security :-)
Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Put weight on the affected foot (if your doctor says it's ok!) and hopefully you'll be walking around as soon as I was :-)
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Your blog is very enjoyable! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I originally had a bunionectomy scheduled for January 2011, however when I went for my pre-op physical, my husband and I discovered we were expecting our first child:)
After the pregnancy, the pain got worse and both of my feet were never the same. With our 10 month old baby girl barely crawling, I too had a double bunionectomy on July 16, 2012.
I only experienced severe pain on days 3 and 4, otherwise I feel pretty lucky! I've slowed down on the pain meds and only take them if necessary. I can walk (heel bearing) without crutches for short periods of time. For the most part I'm strolling around the house in an office chair. I understand everyone heals at their own pace. Patience, patience, patience lol!
Did you lose any flexibility in your big toes? Are you able to wear high heels? And finally, what do you think is best to treat the scars?
Thanks,
Noreen
Hi Noreen,
You're welcome x3 for the blog! Glad you enjoy it :-)
I lost no flexibility in my big toe because I was active and forced myself to put weight on it as soon as the MD said it was okay. I can wear any kind of shoe without problems, but originally I had to be extra careful with anything with straps (including flippy floppies) because the skin where the scars are was sensitive for many months. As for dealing with the scars, I exfoliated often and would put LOTS of moisturizers, including almond oil, vasoline, etc. and wrap my feet in plastic bags at night. Sounds nuts, but it really, really helped. I actually still do this occasionally if I want a deep moisturizing treatment when my feet are super dry.
Hope that helped,
Natalie
Hi Natalie,
Thank you for writing this blog. I realize it's been quite a while since you had your surgery, but I'm just looking for information now. I am having my surgery in 8 weeks and I'm so scared! I've never had surgery before. I am really afraid that it's going to hurt. I think a little part of me is also afraid that I'll go under anesthesia and never wake up.
I couldn't find your personal email address, but if you wouldn't mind writing me back, I'd appreciate it!! sbguitar2@aol.com
Sara
Hi Natalie, great to read your blog.. I actually spent last night reading all the comments. I took the plunge and had a bilateral bunionectomy on oct. 26th. I also had to have the second toe on both feet realigned. The only pain at this point is boredom! I've been mainly walking with my boots I was given. Instructed not to bear weight yet. Go back to the dr. Monday and hopefully I'll be able to start some exercises. Hardest thing has not being able to work out. Lifting weights and doing crunches in my rolling office chair. Anyway, thanks for all the positive comments and pictures. Hopefully I'll be wearing flip flops this summer!
Hi Connie!
Congrats on the surgery and getting through the pain! I know, I was so bored in those next few weeks as well. I didn't have much to take up my time as it was over summer break in college. I did a lot of Sudoku haha and was so happy when the doc finally said I could get them wet so I could go in the pool. Anyways, I hope your appointment tomorrow goes well, and thanks for reading!
Natalie
Hi. Great blog! I'm having my bunions done in just over two weeks so I've just read this in one sitting! I've started a blog too. It is at www.beyondbunions.blogspot.com so feel free to have a read. I'm in the UK so not sure how different my experience will be. I am 37 and have a three-year-old so I don't think my recovery will be as restful as yours! Glad you love your new feet. I can't wait to feel like that about my feet! Emma x
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