It only took me 6 years to do it "right"...

the last photo of my right foot, one hour before surgery... 

On October 20, 2020 I had my 3rd bunionectomy. With my last experience(s) in 2014 being a disaster, it took me years to get up the courage to do the surgery on my right side. My bunion on my right foot had really progressed in that time. My big toe was pushing pretty strong on my other toes and was starting to cause quite a bit of discomfort. The dull pain had begun to shift to the right side of my right foot, underneath my smaller toes. This is a result of my gait shifting to accomodate the bunion. Knowing full well that this would turn into a much bigger issue and certainly a more extensive surgery - I made the appointment for the procedure back in 2019. 

My feelings going into this surgery differed greatly from my first two. Firstly, I had 100% faith in the ability of my surgeon. Although this eased a bit of my anxiety, I knew the right foot would be much more difficult to recover from- even though I sustained two surgeries on my left foot as a result of a botched first surgery. I was absolutely correct. This surgery has been a test to my mental and physical well being in so many ways. On top of the uncertainty and abnormal year we have had already, this was the cherry on my sundae. This is my adventure with a full Lapidus procedure on my right foot. I have documented everything with photos and journals, all for you to read and see...

WEEK 6

Two more weeks in my boot... yay! I had a setback at 4 weeks when my bandages were removed. A good portion of my lower incision was moist and not healing well. Dr. Dreeben was quick to get me on another round of antibiotics, to avoid any sort of infection. The oozing had me a bit worried, but at my last check in this past week - healing was great.

This surgery recovery has been tremendously different than my first awful experience. Firstly,  I have been able to put weight on my foot in a surgical boot from nearly day one. This has made a big improvement in my overall morale and activity level. Although I am still limited to floor exercises, stationary bike (boring), abs and arms - I feel generally more active just being able to walk. Dr. Dreeben has also been very different about incision healing. My bandages are still on. She changes them every week and cleans my foot, before re-wrapping and taping my foot.

I asked her when the bandages come off and she does not take them off until completely healed. I have to say, my incisions look much lighter and much better than my previous incisions. I think keeping them covered has been great for the healing process. Last surgery I had my bandages off much sooner and was getting my foot wet, even with part of the crust still intact (gross).

8 weeks is ideal time for bone healing. This is the magic number for bone surgery... sometimes longer, usually not less. Once my boot is off at 8 weeks, I will go directly into a normal shoe. This could be a running shoe or a wedge - depending on what my comfort level is. Much to my husband's dismay - this will probably mean a Birkenstock.

The Unveiling - graphic image

Hoorah! My bandages were changed yesterday and I was able to see my foot. I had to have my husband take a photo and show me after we left the office, so as not to faint.

If you see closely there are 3 incisions. One is directly on top of my previous incision, where my surgeon went in and correctly repaired the bunion and removed the hardware. The second is below the main incision - where she rotated the bone and properly aligned it before inserting ONE screw. The third incision is between my big toe and the toe next to it, this is where she cut the tendon that pulls constantly on my big toe. Because of the strength of that tendon, it should have been severed in my first surgery - but my less than competent surgeon Dr. Keenan Carreiro, never even mentioned it.

Overall there are more cuts this time, but the swelling is almost non-existent. I am almost 100% off my crutches, except for at night if I have been on my feet all day - I will use one crutch to take some pressure off. My recovery has been like night and day. It is so obvious to me now, that my first surgery was a complete and utter fail.

One more week and I will have another check up and another x-ray. So far, I could not be happier.

xo

Goodbye Again

The beauty of insurance requirements has pushed my 2nd surgery on my left foot up to December 29th. Within the last few months my hardware has given me a significant amount of difficulty. The bottom screw has backed it's way out and is putting pressure on my skin, causing a bruise. Although I am managing to get some occasional runs in, there is noticeable pain and discomfort. Not to mention I still have a fat bunion.

My hardware removal and 2nd bunionectomy attempt are with a new surgeon (duh), who has operated on my Mom multiple times, and is highly regarded in her field. I made a huge mistake by not going to her in the first place, but I have faith she will get these two feet where they need to be.

My husband is looking forward to me wearing shoes other than Birkenstocks and Asics... until next week, when my percocet induced posts begin!

cheers and Merry Christmas
xo

lipstick on my piggies...

As if being unable to walk isn't enough, healing has rendered my foot so gross. Not only do I have a crusty incision scab, but because of all the trauma to the foot and skin by the surgery, what skin I do have is either bruised or peeling off. It's pretty.

In an attempt to make myself and those around me less appalled, I decided to paint my toenails today. I used my favorite Butter polish and sat on the patio for a moment of pampering. I have to say that even though this may not be the best shade (skin colored stuff is apparently in style), it does make a difference in how I feel about my current foot situation. 

At this point I have little to no pain, hate my boot and am scared to death to put weight on my foot. I have spent hours on my main blog, groomed my eyebrows to perfection and mastered hopping on one foot... all which are very important in their own ways - but I am counting the days until I can put these walking contraptions on the shelf and get back to my somewhat normal life.

For any of you reading this that are planning your surgery, here are some good things to put on your "to do" list...

xo

bree mercer james

• Invest in a hands free crutch
• Make sure you have a great basket next to your area of rest (couch or bed) to fill with all you may need.
• face wipes
• body wipes
• deodorant
• magnifying mirror
• tweezers
• cuticle nippers and cuticle oil
• lip gloss or lip moisturizer
• any and all medications
• magazines/books/kindle
• writing pad
• various serums and moisturizers
• aquaphor
• qtips and kleenex
• phone/laptop and chargers
• if you knit or make jewelry, have a stash
• hair brush
• dry shampoo
• patience...