Week 7

The other night I went to the gym and went swimming for the 3rd time since surgery.  It's week #7.   After the swim, relax in the sauna.  WONDerful.  Luxury treat.  I stretched out on one of the higher  benches, slid my feet out of the Chaco flip-flops, and propped my heels up.  Divine.  I peeked down to the toes.  Short of some strategically-placed scars, there's nothing to hide anymore.  Unbelievable.

Comments

[Andrea Packard]

Hello! I find your diary very interesting considering that I also am looking at having bunion surgery in the very near future. Where did you have your procedure done? I am 28, live near the Poconos in Northeast Pennsylvania and the doctor suggested a lapidus procedure to correct my bunions. I, on the other hand, am leaning more towards having the same procedure you had. I know several people who had bunions removed on one foot and never went back to get the other one removed. I want to get it all done in one shot and I don't want an ugly scar on the top of my foot. Just wondering if I am going to have trouble finding a doctor close to where I live who will perform the scarf-akin (or similar procedure) bilaterally. It seems you have had a successful surgery and I would like to go down the same road, if you know what I mean. Please respond back or email me. I have been following your journey and you seem like a very intelligent woman with a lot of valuable information to offer...

[Lynn]

Hi Andrea, thanks for writing. I will do my best here to answer your questions in a clear and unbiased manner.

I also, had heard many stories of people who had bunion surgery on one foot, and dreaded having the other foot done. I also, had been offered a Lapidus procedure.

Here are a few things you might try, which I did, to get to my final decision:
- Get a few different doctors' opinions.
- Be honest with your doctor about your ability to take time off work (or not), your willingness to be inactive (or not), and your desired activities (dance, yoga, biking, running, working, standing, etc.).
- Choose a doctor that treats you, the whole person, not just your x-ray.
- If you believe the Scarf procedure may be a good option for you, but you have trouble finding someone trained to do it, you can email the doctors in other places and ask them for a referral in your area. In the Bunion Links area, you'll find information from doctors around the world who offer the procedure, sometimes as their primary method.
- During your doctor visit(s), ask them about the outcome. The most illuminating question I asked was "what are the best and worst case scenarios for the outcome of this surgery you're suggesting?"
- Ask for references. Ask to talk to 2 or 3 patients who have had the same surgery. Of course, this won't really guarantee that your surgery is going to go "perfect," but it will show that your doctor is open to questions. It also does help to hear the stories of how THEY did it. I talked to one woman who had a bi-lateral Scarf Bunionectomy, and was able to get back to running by the 4th month. However, she also strongly stated that she had a LOT of help from her family.

Please keep in touch! I'd love to hear how it goes for you, and exchange notes & tips on the recovery!

[Andrea Packard]

Thanks for all of the helpful advice, Lynn! I have only been to two doctors so far in search of an answer as to what needs to be done about my bunions. However, I have suffered for 10 years off and on with foot-related issues due to the inherited condition (my mom has them, my nana and her identical twin both had them, thus my twin sis and I were blessed with them as well). It runs in the family for sure. I do know one thing to be true though--bunions do not cure themselves and they only worsen with age. That is the main reason why I would like to take care of them sooner rather than later. I will definitely keep you updated if I end up having surgery and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

[Lynn]

Hi Andrea, You're welcome. Just looking back over these comments, now about 3 months after my surgery. I can honestly say I wish I had done this back 10 years ago when I was your age! It is true, that it will only worsen with age. You'll be alright, no matter what surgery you choose. Make sure you have a lot of support from friends and family.