foot surgery

[lorli]

Needing help, I am having foot surgery bunion removal on little toe side and excess bone removed from the top, on August 8th and going to Disney on August 14th. I will be in surgical boot. Anyone out there had a similar experience and can advise on what to expect?

 

[1stluvispooh]

Well I have had foot surgery. Not a bunion removed although my mother has had that particular one. My suggestion would be to get a ECV. You will not quite be a week from surgery when you go and even though you will be in a surgical shoe you won't want to do a lot of walking. It's amazing how a small change in how you walk tires you out! ( Trust me a spent 9 weeks in a walking cast! ) You may also want to elevate your foot during the day! If it were me I might reschedule.

 

[rpbert1]

DW had a bunion removed last year around May .We where told she would be fine for travelling to Florida end of June.
DW had the boot, she was on crutches still during our Holiday, although could manage without crutches although her foot was extremely sore, her surgeon said he had a lot more work to do when he cut her foot to fix it, finished with 3 pins and think they put 2 plates in.
We got a wheelchair when we arrived at the Disney resort, although we did not use it around the resort POFQ as it was quite small and handy to get about.
I would get one for when you go to the parks, as people are very inconsiderate , and if you get the slightest knock could be extremely painful to say the least, and with the amount of walking involved.
We went to the guest services in the MK and explained about the surgery DW had ,and they gave us a GAC card, she wore her boot to give her foot some protection in case anyone hit it, especially at the parks.
Hope you have a great time ,and be very careful

 

[rpbert1]

We used the Disney transport to the parks, and the drivers where excellent.
I offered to take the wheelchair down and let DW get on the bus using her crutches , but they insisted on her coming on in the wheelchair, everyone had to wait till we where on before the driver would let them on,[I am sure we got called some names] especially the day we came out of MK, we where at the Back of the line ,and when the bus stopped no one was allowed on and he came and got DW and put her on first. So you will be well looked after

 

[allie_to_you]

You'll probably definitely want to get an ECV. I had bunion surgery and while I healed quicker than I thought I would, I certainly wouldn't have been able to walk around Disney for days. It can definitely be painful

 

[bennythepug]

Hate to send you bad news.....but from my recent experience-

I had bunion surgery in April and had to wear the boot for 10 weeks. It was a long and painful recovery. I did not work again til mid-way into the 2nd week of recovery. (back with limited walking and elevating the foot)
You won't be able to get it wet, and have to wear one those plastic sheilds while you bathe. not to mention you won't be able to swim

I scheduled mine during april vacation (I'm a teacher) so I would heal in time for disney- in July. I'm glad I did, that boot is hot, heavy, itchy and extremly uncomfortable- although neccasary !!!
wondering if you Dr knows your plans? Would'nt think he would okay something like that. I was still on some heavy duty pain meds - weeks into recovery. It's no picnic. That's why I waited 10 yrs to finally do the 'other' foot. good luck- I'd re-schedule

 

[lorli]

Thanks for all your input. The good news is I had a similar surgery 8 years back but much more invasive than the one I'm scheduled to have. It is a bunion on the little toe side and they will be shaving a bit of the bone off. The docoter said I would be able to walk on it and go to Disney, I could have even gone back to work after 2 or 3 days, I too am a teacher. My dh says if he needs to he will push me in a wheelchair. I will leave that part up to him. I have to try and get so much in over my summer, I'm just getting tenure and changing position within the same district, so not willing to take time off of work. I guess I was looking to see what to expect. Wish me luck.

 

[kmjmom]

I had to use a wheelchair after ankle surgery this spring. Please be aware that the wheelchair rentals are a heavy wheelchair. My DH was getting quite a workout the day he pushed me around. The wheelchair I had for home was much lighter and I had less difficulty making my way around independently. Good luck and have a magical trip!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Out of curiosity, did you have the bunions removed because they were painful? Why I ask is that I have large bunions, on both my feet on the side by my big toe. Other than the fact that they make my feet look really ugly, they do not bother me. They somewhat run in the family (I have the same feet as my aunt). I have never talked to a doctor about them, but have heard horror stories about getting them removed, much like what I read on this thread. I haven't contemplated surgery, since the time off from work wouldn't be impossible, but I would just hate to get that far behind. Plus, again, for me it would be for cosmetic purposes (I never go out in public in flip-flops!!!) Is there a medical reason to have them removed?

 

[lorli]

Out of curiosity, did you have the bunions removed because they were painful? Why I ask is that I have large bunions, on both my feet on the side by my big toe. Other than the fact that they make my feet look really ugly, they do not bother me. They somewhat run in the family (I have the same feet as my aunt). I have never talked to a doctor about them, but have heard horror stories about getting them removed, much like what I read on this thread. I haven't contemplated surgery, since the time off from work wouldn't be impossible, but I would just hate to get that far behind. Plus, again, for me it would be for cosmetic purposes (I never go out in public in flip-flops!!!) Is there a medical reason to have them removed?

The easy answer is yes, I experience pain when on my feet, and i'm on my feet an awful lot as a teacher. The not so simple answer is, I went to Ortho because of foot pain on top of foot associated with a bump. I explained that the bump there and the bump on the side of my foot compete for where the pain comes from. The bump on top of my foot apparently is excess bone. Dr. said, we can shave them and eliminate the pain of both. After explaining the surgery of other bunion, he assured me that this one was not as severe and would not require as much recovery. To me it was a no brainer to eliminate the pain.

 

[HarbinsMom]

I recommend an ECV. I have RA and have had 2 knee surgeries this year alone. I HATE, HATE, HATE, having to be dependent on anyone. I use a cane to walk (and have for 20 years) and on one of our WDW trips I was hurting so badly DH rented a wheelchair. I gave it up after 1/2 a day. This time, I was told by my doctor and physical therapist the only way I could go to WDW was to use an ECV or wheelchair. Every day but 2 days we hopped from park to park, an ECV was available. We did have to use a regular wheelchair for a few hours 2 days and it almost threw me over the edge. I guess I have a bit of claustrophobia because my DH or DS would push the chair and I'd be getting major anxiety because I wasn't in control. Well, maybe it's a control issue rather than claustrophobia! Anyway, I think you'll enjoy your trip if you have a chair of some sort. Enjoy!

 

[bzzymom]

Back in 1999, my mom had bone spurs removed from the top of her foot about 2 months before a trip to WDW. She was not in a boot, but wore comfortable sandals. We informed WDW of her recent foot surgery when we made reservations at POFQ. We asked to be on the ground floor, near food court. We were given a room on the end which was very close to the food court and very short walk to the bus stop. She tried walking the parks, taking several breaks, sitting on benches, chairs. She doesn't ride the thrill rides, so she shopped a little and sat. Her food began to swell after the first day and a half, so she rented a wheelchair on the second day in the afternoon. The next day, we went to AK, and I pleaded for her to rent an ecv. She did and it was a Godsend for her.