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Hi! I just joined this group as I’m only now thinking about getting surgery. My bunion is extremely minor, but does cause some tolerable pain when I put on shoes and walk. I’m 44, so I’m thinking now is the best time. Why wait? Has anyone else been in this position? What did you do? Do you have before and after pics you’d be willing to share? Thank you so much!
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I decided to get it done last year at 42 and I now regret it as although the recovery was fast and initially seems all good, I then realised my big toe is very stiff, I can’t bend it as before surgery anymore and pain is now developing on metatarsal area. So basically I now have different pain than before surgery, but still in pain
I looked into having surgery in my 40’s too but the Dr wouldn’t even consider it until it was constantly painful and I was 60🤷🏼♀️ It isn’t 💯 better after surgery so I’d really think about it 🤷🏼♀️
I feel the same. My R foot is worse than yours and do have pain that limits the amount of walking I can do. I want to travel and in Europe you do walk a ton. I’m almost 58 I think sooner is better than later for my healing process and mobility.
I am 43, almost 6 months post op on my left foot (all 5 toes done) and 4 weeks post op on my right foot (bunion and bunionette done). Back to wearing normal sneakers and sandals with no pain whatsoever on my left foot. Still in the boot on my right foot due to swelling. Its been an easy process so far with minimal pain. Just remember it can take up to a year for your foot to settle after surgery so you have to be patient with yourself.
Hello. I just had this done last Tuesday. I think if you are in pain and your Dr. thinks it is a good surgery for your condition , go for it. You are still young and will heal faster than if you wait. I was in pain for about 6 years before I did it. Here are some photos 9 days post op.
I joined this group thinking the same thing. Mine is more cosmetic than anything but after seeing the results in this group and the fact that I wouldn’t be able to wear my fave shoes or all my designer shoes, quickly made me change my mind. I have yet to see one before and after that has me saying “yep this is for me”. They look scary and at 48, I’m not ready to give up my cute designer shoes for wide toe box sneakers. lol
I am 8 weeks post op. I'm 52 and had a minor bunion but it was affecting my daily life activities. Dr recommended I get it done since I'm healthy and the bunion will continue to get worst. It was already affecting my second toe. Still recovering but glad I got it done. Can't wait to get back to "normal" though. Follow all your Dr's advice for healing.
I'm 45 have a bunion it's causing me pain and discomfort wearing shoes even wide fitting shoes so I'm on the waiting list now to have it operated on .
Did you have an MRI? Your xray shows a straight toe, so maybe you just have a bit of arthritis. I had both, but reformer pilates helped a lot with the arthritis. I still did surgery, but I’m hoping that exercise will be enough for my other foot.
I was the same age when my bunion started getting worse. I have surgery will be 49 and 50 next week. I don't want the bunion to be worse and harder to heal. Bucket list item checked tom
oh wow! That’s not good!
try PT unless they fused your toe? Also get a foot massager! They help a lot!
I had several PT sessions, I had steroid injection in the joint and manipulation under anesthesia but all unsuccessfully.
is it fused? I’ve seen posts where people have had the hardware removed if that’s a possibility?
it is not fused. I am seeing another surgeon in few weeks for a second opinion so I will discuss removing the screws
oh wow! That’s nuts 60?! Wonder the reasoning behind that. I’d think you could have surgery at any age if you’re in pain.
seems it had to be constant pain🤷♀️ or I should have said constant pain but it wasn’t constant until I was older🤷♀️
every time I put shoes on and walk I evaluate my pain as if to say “I can put this off…”🤦🏼♀️
I can totally relate. I’m not too worried about the pain after the surgery. More worried that it won’t work or I’ll have different pain and I’ll regret it.
my pain isn’t horrible, but I think walking is so important for long term health and if I can’t walk 5 miles without pain making that impossible, I feel like I have to do it now, when I am still agile. But I do worry that maybe it will be worse pain after surgery? That is terrifying.
wow! Those results are amazing! After 6 months, you can wear any shoes you want, right?
My surgeon said that after 12 weeks, I could wear whatever shoes were comfortable. I wear Ipanema sandals and Superga sneakers most of the time (I don't wear high heels normally so have not tried those). Everyone is different and I suppose some people prefer wider shoes but the whole reason I had the op was so I could wear "normal" shoes and to not be in pain at the end of the day. I'm very happy with everything so far.
my x-ray seems almost normal. I guess that’s why I’m so hesitant
I guess my thinking is it’s only going to get worse, not better
have you tried wider shoes and toe spacers and foot strengthening exercises?
I have not. I guess I just don’t want to have to be selective about the shoes I buy and wear. For years when I would go shoe shopping with my mother she would say “oh I can’t get these because of my bunion” and I don’t want that to be my life.
surgery is not always 100% I guess it depends on your risk tolerance .
mine was way out there. Yours doesn't look bad at all. If you aren't in pain, i would not do it. Surgery sucks no matter what type it is.
there is a possibility that they may worsen. I tried spacers and wide shoes for a while. Pain was still there and I decided it was time. I am active and was frustrated that I couldn't workout without the pain. Not sure what your Dr. recommended. Good luck in whatever you decide. If you do decide to do it soon, my advice is Do your research and get a Dr. Who has done alot of these surgeries and who you are comfortable with.
NiccisDivas2025 I’m 63 and don’t wear designer shoes. I’m a Hoka sneaker senior now. I can handle the pain with the right footwear. No surgery for me!
NiccisDivas2025 wait! Why do you say you have to wear wide toe box shoes after the surgery? I thought you could wear any shoes you wanted without pain. Isn’t that the point? Oh my gosh! I’m so confused…!
I can relate. I'm 69 and have had bunions for many years and are now getting a little worse (affecting my toe beside it). Other than that I just wear my hokas and use toe dividers. The thought of not walking or exercising for 6 weeks is enough to say no to surgery for it.
all of the comments I’ve read in these groups say that they have to wear these comfy old people sneakers because they can’t tolerate narrow shoes or heels etc. I refuse to go through the pain of surgery only to feel worse after. I can see why some severe cases need it but it’s def not for mild bunions imo.
NiccisDivas2025 how much pain are you in on a daily basis?
NiccisDivas2025 SMART‼️
it looks really good.
Your toe looks fairly straight. Most corrections we get are put in that position! I would not look at surgery unless you are in horrible pain. My mom has had bad bunions all her life yet they cause her 0 pain. Hoka makes wonderful wide & extra wide sneakers, particularly I like the Bondi 9s. Lots of people wear Hokas every day now and totally acceptable, also “cute”. I buy .5 size bigger in the “regular wide” shoes to have access to more colors. You can also use the rubber toe spacer in your shoes.
I was in a very similar position to you and decided to get the surgery thinking the same thing - why wait for it to get worse… I can honestly say it is one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made in my entire life! I been walking 2 miles prior to surgery… Even though it was uncomfortable to ice skate and play pickle ball, I was able to do most things that I loved doing. Now I am just over three months out from surgery and it hurts even to walk around my house. I’ve been doing physical therapy twice per week with little progress. Here is what I all had done. 
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