Need input about foot surgery!

[Kellydelly]

I just graduated from nursing school and hopefully will begin working on my feet soon (there is no nursing shortage now that I'm done with school, of course!). I have bunions, and they are starting to hurt all the time, not just with heels. I know I should get at least one of them fixed right now, before I get an RN job. I am wondering if anyone could share their experiences, good and bad? I am terrified but if I'm going to do it, now seems like the time. I'd love to hear about other people's surgeries. TIA

 

[dakcp2001]

Just wanted to wish you luck! I am graduating from Nursing school in May and I am planning to relocate to get a nursing job, since no one here hires new nurses. In my area there are hiring freezes everywhere!

At least you will have time to get your foot all fixed up! WHat state are you in, that they are not hiring new nurses? I have heard that Ma, NY, FL, and Ca are the wrost right now.

 

[Mommy2three]

I had foot surgery done to remove a bunion on my foot. It was a twilight sleep, although I don't recall any of it what so ever...When I was brought home I could walk from the car to the house, my foot was completely numb. But when I woke up the next day I thought I would still be able to get up and walk myself to the bathroom....boy was I wrong...my foot was no longer numb and it hurt! My dh was off taking the kids to school and I had to GO! When I stood up i fell right down on my butt and ended up scooting myself all the way to the bathroom and it was difficult to stand up so I could get on the toilet...and difficult to sit back on the floor so i could scoot myself back to the recliner....i was in tears the whole time it was so painful...I learned my lesson and did not get back up without help, and even ended up using crutches....if i remember i think i was ok after a week...but all that pain was well worth it for me! I am now pain free in that foot!

 

[Saphire]

Hi there! I had surgery on both feet (two years apart) and I am so happy I did it. I also work on my feet doing physical therapy and some days the pain was excruciating. Now, no more pain and my feet look so much better! The hard part is the recovery, it takes about six weeks to completely heal and in the meantime you could not work doing an active job like yours, so it would be a great idea to get it done before starting work. You have to use crutches for a few days, then wear a boot for a few weeks because your foot will be wrapped and won't fit in your own shoes. There is a lot of pain after surgery, but it is tolerable and you get narcotics like percocet. You can't drive for several weeks if it is your right foot, which you must consider. Most likely, the bunion pain will just get worse over time, so I think you should go for it and get one of them done at least.
Congrats on getting your degree! Good luck with deciding about surgery.

 

[wdwmom2]

I had bunions on both feet, operated on a couple years apart. I had a great podiatrist. After the surgeries, I had minimal discomfort (no pain), and had to wear a walking boot for a few weeks. I have had no issues with my feet ever since having the procedures done and would do it again in a heartbeat!!

 

[minniecarousel]

Get it done sooner rather than later!

 

[donac]

I just had the bunion on my left removed in June. I went into the hospital at 10, taken into operating room about 12:30 and was in recovery by 1:40. It took longer than the 45 minutes because they were scraping out some arthritis.

Before I went to surgery I went and got a pair of crutches and a quick lesson. Do it before so when you are released you can just leave.

Doctor gave me prescriptions for pain and I had it filled before the day of the surgery. When I got home from the surgery I started the medication. The next day I was in a lot of pain. The script said every 8 hours. I was ready to call the doctor when I was going through some paper work from the hopsital I found another prescription for the same thing only for every 6 hours. ONce I was on every 6 hours I was fine.

I was in a cast from my toes to the middle of the foot. It was changed three times as the swelling went down. I was on crutches from Friday to Wed and then went to a cane for the next few weeks. I was in a black boot thing for about 5 weeks. I couldn't swim for about 5 weeks and after 4 weeks I started physical therapy.

After 7 weeks I spent 4 days in DW and made it almost pain free. My knee went out since I was walking a little strange but I did the 4 days without a wheel chair.

Good luck. Make sure you find a great doctor.

 

[disneymarie]

I had foot surgery done to remove a bunion on my foot. It was a twilight sleep, although I don't recall any of it what so ever...When I was brought home I could walk from the car to the house, my foot was completely numb. But when I woke up the next day I thought I would still be able to get up and walk myself to the bathroom....boy was I wrong...my foot was no longer numb and it hurt! My dh was off taking the kids to school and I had to GO! When I stood up i fell right down on my butt and ended up scooting myself all the way to the bathroom and it was difficult to stand up so I could get on the toilet...and difficult to sit back on the floor so i could scoot myself back to the recliner....i was in tears the whole time it was so painful...I learned my lesson and did not get back up without help, and even ended up using crutches....if i remember i think i was ok after a week...but all that pain was well worth it for me! I am now pain free in that foot!

ditto here, but I DID BOTH at the same time, how dumb. I took the surgical shoe off too soon and years later had the area were it grew together shaved down. Instead of a straight bone, it had a flat mushroom head under the spot.

Totally glad I did it, Oh, it was the little toe side, not big toe. If your under 40 I would do it, if you are older then that I would consider just getting a good shoe and correct how the foot sits in it, as heel or arch supports.

When the numbing wears off it is a painful two days.
good luck,

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My mom had bunions removed from both feet. The first was just over 11 years ago (I remember because she was in a boot when I had my DS11). She didn't have any problems recovering and her foot turned out perfectly. She had the other foot done just over a year ago. The healing process didn't go as well with that one. She knows she took the boot off too soon but she got tired of it. She also thinks it had to do with her age - she was 62 for the 1st surgery and 72 for the 2nd one. It's all healed now, but definitely took longer than the first one.

I would definitely get yours fixed before you start your career. Spending a lot of time on your feet will only make the bunions worse and then you'll have to spend an extended period off work having surgery.

 

[Muushka]

Ahhhh, one of my finest memories....
waking up in recovery to a kind nurse with a warm blanket and a cute room with kitties on the border above.......

Yes, I have had foot surgery. I had a hammer toe, very painful. I was put under, operated on and never looked back. Glad I had it done.

Good luck!

 

[taylor3297]

I had bunion and hammer toe correction done on both feet one year apart. My doctor told me to stay off my feet for two weeks (this include sitting in a chair). Foot had to be elevated at hip level. After two weeks I was allowed to be on my feet for 4 hours a day, and after that he increased the time each week. With this restricted approach, I didn't have much swelling and my foot healed rather quickly. I have never regretted getting it done. Also, I never wear heels anymore. Though you have the correction done, if you don't wear good shoes, the bunions can come back.

 

[rabyoga]

I have to have surgery to help with my Neuroma... I'm not upset about the surgery.. But the recovery time, I can't last 6 weeks without working out ! I'm starting to look at those sit and be fit videos to help give me my exercise fix..
I know it's worth it. I will be able to really work out (like I want to) when my foot fully heals.
Wishing you well on your surgery.