Questions I didn't ask about upcoming bunion surgery

[Lapsedcataholic]

I'm having bunion removal surgery next week and just realised there are a few things I need to know but didn't think to ask the specialist. Wondering if anyone can help.

I'll have to wear a big "healing shoe" for 6 weeks post op, 24/7 including in bed and in the shower.

1. Does this mean I can't wash that foot for 6 weeks?!
2. Is it even possible to sleep ok with the shoe on, or do you wake yourself up every time you roll over? I'm imagining that I'll either tie a plastic bag over it at night, or wrap in clingfilm!
3. Do you need a crutch for the 6 weeks?

I'd be very grateful for any advice from people who've had this surgery. I'm also having the second toe broken and shortened so anticipate a fair degree of pain to begin with? TIA!

Hi there,
I have just had the surgery 9ndays ago, so I can answer any questions from my experience.
Showering wise in haven't had a shower yet but just washed , because although I bought a shower protector for the leg and foot, I am worried about falling/slipping/getting anything wet. It's been fine.
I was also told to wear the show at night but I wasn't able to. It hurt my ankles like hell as it is very heavy and I have very thin ankles and boney feet, so I disobeyed and taken them off.
Having read around I thunk theybask you to do this in case you get up and forget to out thr shoe in, in fairness by foot isnhealing very well even though I take it off at night and when I sit down. For me, sleeping with it is just impossible.
I had bought crutches but never used them. The hospital gave me a walking stick which I used the first couple of days bit haven't needed it since. I wad able to weight bear immediately. This might depend on thr operation, mine was keyhole.
Please ask anything, I know how anxious I was beforehand. I would definitely invest in a dry ice pack, it was s lifesaver the first three days. Also in very lose trousers as you will get paranoid with passing a tight trouser through your foot!
Hope it helps and good luck

Ps sorry for the typos , my phone loves autocorrecting

I found this blog helpful beyondbunions.blogspot.com/?m=1

I couldn't wash my feet for ages, but I was ok sleeping, and couldn't really walk I used crutches and a wheelchair, and found my feet hurt a lot if I didn't have them up, so I mostly stayed on the sofa.

Thank you so much for replies, looks like I'll have to prepare myself for unwashed feet so! Can I ask, how painful was it afterwards? I've been prescribed Vimovo in advance but I've never found them much good for my arthritis pain so I'm a bit concerned they may not do the job.

Which operation are you having? I had keyhole and had very manageable pain afterwards. Took paracetamol for a couple of days. Glad I didn't see that blog before inhad my operation, as none of it really relates to my experience. Maybe they had a different operation.

Hi All, can I ask if you had to pay private for this or if it's on the NHS. My teen daughter will need this when she get to 18 as she has really large bunions unfortunately genetic. They do not cause her pain but she is really self conscious of them.

I went private.