Can anyone tell me about their experience of bunion surgery

[ToThineOwnSelf]

As the title says really, have been putting this off for years, partly due to the recovery time.

Can anyone give me (ideally) positive stories of having this surgery, or general advice?

I would probably get it done privately in London.

TIA

I had it done in January this year on one side. I was pretty much housebound (on crutches and not able to drive) for 6 weeks but it went by pretty fast. Went back to work with some adjustments initially but I am pretty much ok now. I have had issues with the soft tissues not healing too well but that’s just me. The bones are fine. Just waiting for the right time to do the other foot now. I don’t want another 6 weeks off work right now so I’m putting it off for a year or so.

I had my right foot done (privately) in November as a day case. By my 6 week check up I was walking, driving and in normalish shoes (wide fitting). The swelling and aches do take several months to subside but I don't regret it. Luckily the other foot is fine so no surgery required.

Both my mom and friend have had it done. Mum had one for at a time, friend had both so recovery was a little longer as she was off her feet. After speak to both the consensus was that get both feet done at once is better. Have it under general or definitely be sedated for it. The local anaesthetic injections are painful and my mum wished she'd had it under general.
Recovery wise, very strong painkillers are needed. However, the results are beyond amazing. My mom had been in pain with them for years and is so glad she had it done. I'd say go for it, both at the same time if they both need doing x good luck!

Can I ask - I have bad arthritis in my big toe joints, toes are straight but painful.
Surgery would be similar to bunion surgery.
Anyone similar?
Starting to think I need to get them done as it is painful to walk

I had it done in 2017 and it was very successful and I’m glad I did it. However, may not be relevant as used a method that I don’t think is used in uk ( doesn’t involve breaking and resetting bones- cuts soft tissue and then uses casts to heal it tighter so it holds the joint straight). The recovery was very long- 3 - 4 months of minimal walking. It was v limiting . However, my feet are completely straight now.

Thanks for sharing this. I also need both feet done eventually but wasn't keen to do them both at the same time!

Good to hear it's a day case only!

Interesting point about both feet at once, I need both but one is worse, I guess it depends on your circumstances like how long you can have 'off' things...

That's interesting - can you say where you had it done?

I had both feet done at the same time, by keyhole ten years ago. I had it done using local anaesthetic (my choice) and was also sedated. I was completely off my feet for 2 weeks, which was tricky, and on crutches for another 6 weeks. I did need strong painkillers in the first few weeks of recovery. Feet remained a bit swollen and shoes were difficult for a good 6/9 months, I bought Ugg boots and soft Hush Puppies pumps. But it's been worth it a million times over. So, so pleased with the result, aesthetically, pain wise - I hadn't even realised the walking on broken glass type of pain that I used to get on the soles of my feet after about an hour of walking was caused by the biomechanics of having bunions, as well as the soreness from the bunion area, and how much easier it is to find shoes that fit. No regrets from having it done.

Both done at the same time privately about 10 years ago. GA and overnight stay, but the op was done late afternoon. Like others have said, a few dopey days on strong painkillers, two weeks pretty much no weight bearing, another 4 weeks recovery. Has worked a treat, I wish I’d done it 10 years earlier.

I put a decent amount of effort (and £ over private health insurance) finding the local bunion expert. And experienced a shocking minute of body dysmorphia when the bandages first came off and my duck-shaped feet had transformed into pudgy straight baby feet. I had the break-and-staple option, although I didnt realise that until I saw the before-and-after X-rays.

Had it done privately a few years ago. Has to keep off my feet for about three weeks and then be slow for a while after that. Swelling took a long time to go down. Absolutely worth it though