One year ago, I had my second and last bunion surgery. My first surgery was on my left bunion (tailor bunion) in May 2019, and my second surgery on my right bunion (bunionette) was December 2019. Both surgeries were on the fifth toe because I was experience chronic long-term pain when walking and using my feet.
You can read more about my bunion surgery recovery notes here.
How do my feet feel on year post Bunion Surgery?
I don’t notice any discomfort with my left foot, but my right food still aches. The ache still feels like “hey, I’m healing, there’s a plate in this foot, and I’m not entirely thrilled with how you move your body.” The pain is significantly better than pre-surgery.
Pre surgery I would avoid movement. I don’t avoid movement now. I just notice a dull ache where the repair was done. My right foot was a bigger fix than my left getting a larger plate and more screws. I’m not entirely sure on my repair but it was done higher up in my mid-foot bone.
I still avoid ladders, and standing on the balls of my feet. I find these activities to be very triggering to the pain and discomfort in my feet.
I am not an active person, and don’t have interest in high activity, so experience with returning to running after bunion surgery is not in my experience back. As a mom of two young kids, I am glad to have done the surgery and be able to keep up with them again.
The biggest life lesson this year is that some of the pain in my feet is related to swelling and lack of hydration. If my feet are increasingly tender at the end of the day, I need to drink more water.
Would you do the surgery again?
Yes, and I would get my right foot done first because the pain in my right was the worst and the impact on my knee and the rest of my body has been less-than-awesome.
I also wish I was in physiotherapy, but with the pandemic, childcare, and access to support services, it’s hard to make that happen – and pay for it.
My Biggest Advice for Anyone Considering Bunionette Surgery?
Stop brushing off the surgery as easy because it’s just the little toe – it’s not just a tailors bunion, it’s a foot surgery and operation on your toe bone!
I see people in my Bunion Facebook groups asking about recovery, and recovery sucks. Yes, it’s better than before, but stop being naive and thinking you’ll be back to regular functioning with six weeks.
For me, bunionette surgery and recovery was a slow game of healing and strength. I had a moment 5 months post operation where I hurt my foot again and was back in my boot to remind myself to slow down.
Yes, my recovery felt faster than those who had the big toe done, but it wasn’t quick and easy, and yes, it was over 6 weeks before I started driving again.
How are my scars?
I’m kind of bummed because my scars are healing up fantastic. My left foot had a scab I picked, and that is a little dark; I left my right foot alone and the scar line is very hard to see.
Can I wear high heels?
Wrong person to ask. I have worn high heels since my surgery without pain, but it was just one day, and it’s not an every-day occurrence for me. It’s also not my first choice for shoes. I only have two pairs of heals since I have a large foot – since 13.
I still wear Wide Shoes
I still wear a wide shoe because the width of my foot is most comfortable in wide shoes, and the surgery didn’t shrink my feet drastically.
Let me know of any other questions or curiosities you have one year post surgery.
I had my bunion surgery in Northern BC. You can learn more about the process and wait here.
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