The Bloomin' Bunion: Bunion Surgery & Recovery Blog: Preparing for Bunion Surgery

You will be an invalid for 7 weeks. Make sure to get some exercise, enjoy a leisurely jog with friends or do some yoga to help with balance. Make sure your designated caretaker is happy and ready. This person is going to be chauffeur, chef, laundry person, bless their heart. Disinfect your domicile, clean your bedding and wash your pets.

Do some research about your procedure and come up with questions for your doctor and don't panic. My procedure was "Closing Base Wedge Osteotomy" the Google results was this video and upon finishing it I immediately wanted to cancel the surgery. I had to press through and talk myself out of canceling. Closing Base Wedge Osteotomy is for moderate to severe bunion deformity. It requires cutting and realigning the first metatarsal bone with pins. Here's a less graphic presentation. This might not be the case for you dear reader. The video did help me give more respect to my recovery period. Knowing that I have a bone in my foot that has been cut in two and pinned back together will discourage me from bearing any weight on it early on. It can be pretty deceiving since the pain meds make you feel like nothing is wrong with your foot. It is also good to have knowledge

The week before surgery I stopped taking any blood thinning supplements like cod liver oil or vitamin e pills. Purchased some cute maxi skirts and pajamas. Also picked up the pain meds and crutches. Our friend lent us his wheelchair.Pants will be hard to wear. I'm going to miss pants and walking.

Here's a shopping list of items that you will need post surgery:

From the Pharmacy

Cold Compress
Calcium Supplements (make sure to get your doctor's approval)
Baby Shampoo
Pillow
Shower Bench
Stability Ball
Aleve
Baby Wipes

Fashion: Say goodbye to leggings, jeggings or anything tight. You will need clothes that will easily slip on and preferably with pockets since your hands will be occupied with crutches.

Palazzo Pants
Maxi Skirt
Loose Pajamas

Here are some product recommendations. If you purchase via the links that go to amazon.com you will be supporting this website.

Reusable Cold Compress Once you are out of your surgery you will need to use a cold compress to help with inflammation. The cold compress will also help with pain. Make sure to wrap the cold compress so that you will not get your stitches wet.

My Pillow Pets Wiggly Pig 18 Inches You will need to keep you leg elevated while you're in bed this little Piggy will help keep all of your little piggies comfy and free from inflammation. Finally a great excuse for buying one of these.

Caltrate Gummy Bites Make sure to get enough calcium so that your bones will mend successfully. In addition to your prescribed pain medication calcium supplements can cause constipation so you will need Phillips' Original Milk of Magnesia Liquid.

Ez2care Adjustable Lightweight Shower Bench, White Be very careful to not get your stitches wet when you bathe since the surgery will most likely cut to the bone, and it can cause a nasty bone infection. The shower bench can serve as a handy footrest as well.