Bunion surgery?

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VegGal
VegGal Member Posts: 507
edited November 2019 in Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity

Hi everyone,

In my attempts to be physically active to help prevent a BC recurrence, I have had a gradually worsening bunion situation on my left foot. Three podiatrists later, all conservative means exhausted, I am scheduled for surgery in 2 weeks. 

I find that I am terrified!  I think all the PTSD stuff from the 4 breast surgeries is combining with the fear of the unknown and the fear of bone pain.  Yet I want to feel better before gardening season begins. 

Has anyone on here had bunion surgery?  I am having a pretty extensive surgery, with a cast, etc.  If you have had foot surgery, how does it compare to the pain of mastectomy/recon?  Any advice?

Thanks in advance. 

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2019

    BUMP for VegGal. Can anyone help?

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    I know a few people who've had bunion surgery, - the first few days required some pain meds, and after that, keeping weight off the foot was all that was needed. Took a few weeks before able to wear regular shoes. Yes, discomfort for a few days, but I dont think it compares to mast/recon!!

    Keep us updated. I, too, should have bunions repaired. =/

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited January 2019

    Thank you, NYCG. I will keep you posted. 

    Is anyone else sick of "fixing" things?

    Ugh!

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited January 2019

    VegGal,

    One more thought, - before doing the bunion procedure, ask your breast/plastic surgeon if he advises antibiotics due to the silicon implant.

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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited January 2019

    I'm in agreement; tired of fixing things...

    My best friend and her daughter both had bunion surgery. Her daughter had not much to say about it; my friend said she was in a lot of pain. Still, I don't recall her saying much after 10 days, so for them, anyway, it wasn't brutal.

    Good luck.

    p.s. I stress even going for a physical. For me, the PTSD is ever present when medical stuff comes to the fore.

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited January 2019

    Thanks, Wallycat!

    I, too, have the PTSD at any appt. I currently am waiting for an ultrasound on a nodule on my implant, so I am on high alert. If it goes any way wrong, I don't know what I will do. I am pretty cranky right now. 


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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited January 2019

    VegGal, nerve blocks are an option for bunion surgery. Ask your anesthesiologist. Patients often have no pain, sometimes up to 48 hrs after surgery. I hope all goes well with your ultrasound results. Take care

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  • sbelizabeth
    sbelizabeth Member Posts: 2,889
    edited January 2019

    VegGal, I had an extensive surgery for a bunion before BC. I have a fairly high pain threshold, yes, but when they asked in the recovery room to rate my pain, I said zero. The area was so crammed full of long-acting local anesthesia I felt nothing for a couple of days. When the "secret sauce" wore off it was occasionally achy but no big deal.


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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited January 2019

    SBElizabeth, thanks for taking the time to respond. I will definitely make sure I get the long acting numbing. I had it with my BMX and surgery was Friday morning and it worked until early Sunday morning. Hopefully this will, too!

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited January 2019

    I did it!  Surgery was this morning and I am still numb. Not looking forward to when I'm not. 

    Can you tell that my surgeon believes in gadgets to aid in healing?  I've discovered that female urinals are a "thing" ...and they ROCK!  TMI?

    image

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  • SophiaMarie
    SophiaMarie Member Posts: 352
    edited June 2019

    How are you doing? After bc, I had my bunions fixed and my knees scoped - I didn’t want anything to hinder my getting back into living! I hope you’ve healed well and are glad you did it!

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited June 2019

    I am doing well...I think. Have some nagging doubts about my surgeon. He never did a post-op x-ray to confirm that the bones fused and he discharged me at 7 weeks!  Now I have some questions about my toe which still swells and feels numb, etc. Debating whether to go back to surgeon and risk being dismissed or seek a second opinion. 

    It's always something!  Thanks for checking on me. 

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  • SophiaMarie
    SophiaMarie Member Posts: 352
    edited June 2019

    hmmm... it can take 6 months to a year for all the swelling to go down, but I am surprised that there wasn't a follow up X-ray. You could try getting in with him again - but if you're not too excited about his care, I'd go ahead and get a second opinion! Don't suffer. I had one foot do great, the other had recurrent issues. I wound up going to someone else and now I'm pleased with the result.

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited June 2019

    Thanks, Sofia. 

    I have an appointment with a local orthopedics guy I know to do x-rays to check for healing. I also made an appt with a good (I've heard) surgeon in another city in case the local x-rays aren't good, but he's booked out until mid-August. 

    Very soon I will know if there is anything to worry about. I sure hope things are fused as I have a vacation coming up, and it will include some hiking. 

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  • Dragonfeathers
    Dragonfeathers Member Posts: 11
    edited November 2019

    Hi VegGal and all,

    Glad to see how many of you had bunion surgery and good results! I have hallux bunions (on the outside of my big toe), but I was afraid of the surgery so I wear sandals as much as possible. Knowing I'm going to have to have some sort of surgery for breast cancer (waiting on genetic tests to decide which) makes me think I might get the guts up to do bunions, too. (By the way, I agree on your so-much-fixing comment; I joke with my mom that I want my breast surgeon to remove my bunions, skin tags, post-nasal drip, teeth-grinding, and worrywart tendencies during the main procedure. Also, learning female urinals exist is never TMI - thanks! )

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  • VegGal
    VegGal Member Posts: 507
    edited November 2019

    Dragonfeathers, you go girl! I would KILL for a facelift! Nothing major, just a bit of refreshing. Sigh.

    Almost a year out I can say that I am so happy I had my bunion fixed. It has healed great. My right foot bunion is still there, but has never been as troublesome. Time will tell if I need to have it done as well.

    Good luck with all of your upcoming surgery!



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