Have surgery coming up on the 24th for my right foot.

What procedure are you getting done? How long will you be non-weight bearing? Personally, I didn’t want to buy too many things I wouldn’t need after but I did get crutches and a knee scooter. I was NWB for 6 weeks.

Get books or something to keep ypu busy Elevation pillow has been amazing purchase for me!

I bought both a water cooler ice pack that pumps water through and foot ice packs that I can freeze and are able to go directly onto my wrap. Both have been used so much. I always took my cooler one in the car if I would be gone for multiple hours and used it at night time since I can wake up and turn it back on without having to crawl back to the freezer for the ice pack ones. And the other ones are nice at home during the day

Pre surgery— hydrate really well up until you can’t drink anymore. Helps with IV’s etc. scooter, elevation pillow, shower cover, Big nonstick bandages and a roll of gauze: just in case. Prunes, pineapple juice or things for constipation. Prepare some foods for the first week.

Just bunion?

...There is some good advice here, but you've got to have "hope" It will be rough, especially the first few weeks...but each day will get a little better. You MUST rest and sleep when you can and use this as an opportunity to look after yourself. It'll be worth it in the end.

Citrucel! take a couple times the week before and then after.

I've had two lapidus procedures (2 years apart). You're getting lots of great advice here. You'll feel better about your life if you can find some tasks to do while seated. You'll feel as if you've actually accomplished something between healing naps.😂 I cleaned out emails and unsubscribed to so many. Elevation/ramp pillow keeps pressure off your knee. Waterproof cover for showering, cold therapy machine (insurance covered one for me)--both so helpful. I'm a rule follower and it helped my recovery to do just as my doctor ordered. Best wishes!

Get some ALA (alpha lipoic acid ). Do a search in this group and on Google on alpha lipoic acid Helps with burning/tingling/zap type of pain. It has helped me so much. I initially bought the Thorne brand (pricey). When I went to re-order the Thorne brand was sold out so I got another brand from Double Wood Supplements. I’ve gotten other supplements from them before, so I trusted them, but the shipping took longer than anticipated and it took a few days to get to me and I ran out of pills. Within a day of not taking them the burning pain came back so I did a same delivery from Vitamin Shoppe and within a few hours of taking it the burning /zinging/zapping pain stopped. I wasn’t 100% sure that it was doing anything at first but it was the worst way to find out that it was working lol

Elevation pillow, a big water bottle, books so you’re not always watching tv or doom scrolling haha I started reading Frieda McFadden books, she’s a psychological thriller writing and they are good reads.. your fav snacks, ice pack(s), prep food ahead of time to make it easier that way. Music, relaxation sound tracks, games on your phone/computer. I stole my sons Nintendo switch a few times haha I got those adult colouring books also to keep me occupied. The way my house is built, I got my husband to move the bedroom downstairs into the den area so I was able to chill with my family and friends that came to see me so I wasn’t stuck in the bedroom most of the day… I got both feet done at once. For showering, get a cover to wear, I got mine on Amazon. A shower chair. Gauze and bandages for after I got my casts off. If I think of anything else I will add that also Good luck!

Prepare and seal meals, then freeze them for quick dinners Lots of water the week before surgery so you’re hydrated it helps with anesthesia and recovery Also cozy pjs bc you can’t cover your foot Good luck 💝

My advice is, don’t put off Doing the other one soon, because the longer you wait, the worse it gets and you run the risk of the smaller toes turning into hammer toes! That’s what happened to me anyway. 

Elevation wedge was used loads and I still like using a bit 5 months post op

Cooling jackets are important contain swelling and worth the investment as well as a walker boot. Davidtollafieldauthor.com

Pillow to elevate your leg, ice packs, shower stool, fresh jammies , books, crosswords etc. Good luck be kind to yourself its a hell of a recovery. Xx

Thank you for the comments! i’m super nervous. I’m 29 and have been putting this off for awhile. Mostly nervous that I have to go back for round two so really hoping round 1 is bearable because I am not taking much time in between feet so it sounds like I will be off my feet for quite a while. The procedure is the Lapidus Procedure

Following

Have you looked at what your feet will look like in an x-ray after surgery? Have you looked into a Lapipasty? They actually try to correct the foot instead of cutting slash and re-attach. It depends on the person and what they do with their feet.

I made sure I cleaned my house, did some meal prep to make things less stressful after. Get some good books lined up, some movies and shows. Many pillows to elevate you foot, comfy place where you’ll be laid up, a knee scooter was helpful for me. I was a disaster on crutches. Best wishes to you!