Bilateral Bunion Surgery

[BalletBunni]

Hi everyone, I just wanted to share the experience I have had with a bilateral bunionectomy. I am 9 weeks post-op and the procedure I had was a scarf/akin osteotomy.

My bunions were inherited, and I had them all my life. I am a 28 year old female, I dance (ballet/jazz/neo), and also practice a martial art, which all contributed to making my bunions even worse. All the horror stories that I had heard about bunion surgery and the recovery process had put me off seeking proper medical advise until about 6 months ago when the pain started causing me to lose sleep at night. I was lucky and found a fantastic surgeon who has corrected the structure of my feet, removed the pain and as a bonus made my feet look normal and perhaps even pretty!

I am already back dancing, walking and going to the gym with my ability at about 80% of what I was before surgery. For me the surgery has been a complete success so far, and I have been told that within another 3-6 weeks I should be close to performing at my normal standard.

If anyone has any questions about the procedure or recovery I would love to try and give you some answers

[amy]

wow I would love some advice! I am trying to decide what to do!! 1 or both or even at all?
can you let me know if you are around and I will type more! thank you!!

[BalletBunni]

Hey Amy, yep I'm around... Feel free to ask anything you like!

These are the first questions you should ask yourself before making a decision regarding bunion surgery:

• Are your bunions causing you pain?

• Does the pain stop you from doing activities you like?

• Do you find it difficult to find comfortable shoes?

• What sort of performance do you expect from your feet after surgery?

• Do you have someone to help you with the recovery process? (Especially important if planning on having both feet done).

[BalletBunni]

Hey Amy, yep I'm around... Feel free to ask anything you like!

These are the first questions you should ask yourself before making a decision regarding bunion surgery:

• Are your bunions causing you pain?

• Does the pain stop you from doing activities you like?

• Do you find it difficult to find comfortable shoes?

• What sort of performance do you expect from your feet after surgery?

• Do you have someone to help you with the recovery process? (Especially important if planning on having both feet done).

[amy]

hey! THANKS for getting back to me! I can say yes to all 4 questions!! I am really just wanting to know from a logistical point of view how it is possible to get 2 done at once.....I read that people have been carried to the toilet? how long were you completly off your feet?
what state are you in? how are you now? sorry so many questions- i don't know where to sart..
look fwd to hearing from you!!!
amy

[amy]

I don't know if my last post work..thanks for getting back to me!!
I am worried about the recovery- I will be staying with my mum and dad- but how personal will the care get?? I mean how long are you off your feet completly? can you go to the loo and shower on your own? My sister is worried I will get bet sores or something....
would love your help!!

[BalletBunni]

Hi Amy,
I live in Tasmania, but I had my surgery in Melbourne. I went to see Dr. Mark Blackney - at The Park Clinic http://www.theparkclinic.com.au/

The surgery was performed under general anaesthetic, and I also received a nerve block from the knee down, so I couldn't feel a thing for around 12 hours after the surgery. They kept me sitting/lying in bed with my feet elevated and I was told to keep my feet elevated for the next 10 days.

When the nerve block began to wear off it felt like pins and needles and the nurses started me on my pain medication. I was on doses of Digesic and Ibuprofen alternating every two hours, and they recommend that you start the medication sooner rather than later to avoid experiencing any severe pain as it is harder to subdue once it has kicked in.

I stayed in hospital for two nights, and they had me heel-walking (in post-op shoes) as soon as I could feel my feet. I was able to go to the toilet unassisted, but while my feet were numb they used a special wheel chair with a hole in the middle that they place over the toilet and once I could "walk" I used the crutches to hobble to the bathroom. The worst part about getting out of bed was having to lower my feet below waist level. The sensation of blood flowing back into my feet was horrid. There was a lot of pressure and throbbing. So I tried to avoid going to the toilet until I really needed to!

I stayed in Melbourne for another three days in a self contained apartment, and my mother was there to look after me. She prepared all my food and helped me with drinks etc. The nurses had taught me how to use plastic bags and tape to cover my feet for showering, but once I got home I chose to have baths because it was easier and much more comfortable to lower myself into the bath and keep my feet up on the edge of the tub.

For about a week I found it difficult to sleep through more than about 3 hours, but after having a drink and some more medication I could go back to sleep. I also found it irritating that I had to sleep on my back with my legs elevated for 3 weeks without being about to roll onto my side... The incision on the inside of my feet made it uncomfortable for my feet to be in any other position.

My husband made my breakfast and lunch for me every day, so I didn't have to stand for too long in order to prepare food. But I was fine after the first week to manage a little walk to the kitchen and heat things up in the microwave. I only had to use the crutches for two weeks before the physio told me to stop using them altogether.

Overall I didn't experience any pain as such. The throbbing and swelling is the only thing that inhibits too much activity, but after this type of surgery you are expected to take it easy and rest anyway. It took 2 weeks before I ditched the post-op shoes for Crocs (that is also when my stitches came out), but I spent the better part of three weeks in bed... I had a lot of dvd box sets to watch!!!

If you would like to check out some photos of my recovery or read more please check out my blog at http://bunionsbyballet.blogspot.com/. I do not regret this surgery at all and I would definately do it all again if I had to!

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you and that you find this information useful. Feel free to ask more about anything that you are unsure of. Good luck and let me know how you go!!!!

[sabina]

Hi BalletBinni - I was a professional ballet dancer for 20 years and am now facing bilateral osteotomies on not just my first toes, but 2nd and 3rd as well. It was great reading about your experience with the surgery. Just a couple of questions...1/Since you live in Tassie and had the surgery in Melbourne did you end up flying back to Tas and if so how long after the surgery? 2/ Where were you for your post-op follow ups and physio? The reason I ask is because I live on the Sunshine Coast,QLD but would like to have the surgery done in Sydney with possible follow up in Brisbane. Thanks Sabina.

[BalletBunni]

Hi Sabina,
I stayed in Melbourne for 5 days after my surgery (2 nights were in the hospital, 3 nights in a hotel), then I had a quick visit with Dr Blackney to get the ok to fly home on the 6th day.
My 2 week follow up appointment was in Hobart with my GP and he took my stitches out. The same day I had physio (with my normal physio), who had the exercises and post op information faxed through from Dr Blackney's office. I think I had physio once a week or something after that... just to make sure I was walking properly.
At 8/9 weeks I flew back to Melbourne for my last post op appointment with Dr Blackney, and he said he wouldn't need to see me again... Unless I wanted to get something else done hehe
I hope that helps!!! Good luck with everything

[sabina]

Thanks so much for your reply - that helps a lot! Cheers, Sabina