Didn't Know

Now that enough time has lapsed after the surgery, I look back and realize there were things I didn't anticipate, things to which there was no information about, and things I just learned along the way. Sharing them with you might facilitate you in your journey. I hope they help. 

HEEL

When reading about the one-stage method, it was said that the bone graph is taken from the heel. This was the area I envisioned being affected by this.

But I found this to be the true area affected by the bone graph surgery. 






















HANDS
I didn't realize my palms would be very soar the first 5 weeks on my crutches.

MEDICATION
I didn't know my specific medication would keep my up and decrease my appetite.

PAIN
I would have never guessed that my hip and hamstring would hurt at times during post-op.

TENDONS (11 wks post op)

I never even considered my tendons before the surgery. I was amazed at how soar they were during my post-op.

I also never thought the tendons behind my knee would become soar from hovering my foot above the floor while on crutches.














EMOTIONS
I knew living alone would present its challenges. I've lived alone for years, but there was no way I could have anticipated it being so hard and at times affecting my emotions.

I knew I'd be stuck inside, but actually going through it, has reaffirmed my thoughts about how I feel about the outdoors. ;o) 

CONGESTION

Never in a million years did I anticipate this! The fact that lowering my leg caused enough pain that I couldn't sit in church, in a restaurant, or in a car normally— was astonishing and highly annoying to me. 

Having to sit in a reclined position, with my leg up, a few weeks after surgery is fine and normal, but 12 weeks after?!

Not only that, but now I'm being told it could be up to 12 months— but hopefully only 6 months?! It makes working a desk job very difficult and challenging.

HELP (update: The congestion lasted about 6mo.)


I put the word out before-hand about my surgery that I would need help to friends and family. I didn't know that on the average the people who said they would help really didn't and those who I never thought would, actually did. Truly I have been blessed! God always comes through somehow. 

COST
I was told the cost was between $8,000–$9,000. It was never made clear that the hospital would be billing $40,000 additional to that. Thank God I have insurance.

SKIN

Awesome! ;o) During the first 6 weeks of post-op, layers of old dead skin came off the bottom of my foot! YAY. My old calluses have been reduced significantly. I am loving that! —Even the corn on my third toe! That's what happens when you don't wear shoes or walk for 12 weeks. ;O)

TESTS
I didn't know that I would be made to have tests done (EKG, pregnancy, etc.) before being able to have surgery. 

SLEEPING
I didn't realize sleeping would be so troublesome. I should have guessed this really, knowing I'd have incisions on so many different sides of my foot. I didn't start sleeping normally until my 14th week.


BUNIONETTE
I certainly wan't worried about the flexibility of my pinky toe after the bunionectomy. Turns out it has less flexibility post-op than my 4th toe. Who knew!? (update:  in time the flexibility came back. Took about 6mo)

TOE

I didn't know that the stem of my toe would be in constant contact with the floor—permanantly, causing discomfort because there isn't cushion there as in the tip of the toe.












SHOES

I didn't know I'd be buying shoes even before my right foot was done! ;0)

GROWTH IN TOE

Thirteen weeks post-op I measured a 10mm length in my Brachy fourth toe. I accepted that. At 23 weeks I re-measured and I have a 12.5mm length! Yay! Pleasant surprise! ;o)






BUNION

I didn't realize this, but because I had Brachy on the same foot as my bunion, my bunionectomy DID NOT get the post-op attention it needed to regain my mobility there. With Brachy you don't do anything with your foot for at least 3 months... this actually harmed the mobility in the joint of my big toe. Normally you'd be working on it about 3 weeks post-op.My surgeon didn't mention a thing about this. If you're having a Bunion addressed at the same time as your Brachy, make sure you start moving your big toe at 3 wks even though your Brachy requires no movement.