Dealing with the Fear of Bunion Surgery - Part 2

Here is a recent email from Snuggles and my response to help you stay calm and relaxed before your surgery.

"I accidentally came across your web site and I am so glad. My surgery is coming up in one week. I'm very scared and nervous but it's long overdue. I fractured my great right toe a year ago and was told it will get better; well I just recently three weeks ago went to see a podiatrist that cared. We did a series of X-rays, and then follow-up with an MRI that told a totally different story. I am do to have an Austin Bunionectomy. Have you heard of this type of surgery? Any advice would be great."

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Dear Snuggles,

Thank you for appreciating the Bunion Survivor Blog information. I’m equally glad to know it’s been helpful to you.

Have you had your surgery yet? If not, I’m sending prayers for an easy surgery and speedy recovery. If you already have had your surgery, I’m sending prayers for speedy recovery and want to know how you are.

To answer your question, I have heard of an Austin Bunionectomy and in fact, had one myself on my right foot three years ago. It is a common bunion surgery. Everyone’s response to the surgery is different; in my case, according to two second opinions, my foot should have been splinted to keep the Big Toe straighter immediately following surgery. Since it wasn’t, the curve (not the golf ball) has returned and the 2nd toe is elevated again and will require additional surgery that I have been putting off. You might ask your doc about splinting.

Regarding advice for you,

1. Recognize being scared and feeling fear about foot surgery (any surgery for that matter) is natural.
   
   
2. You can manage your fear with several different stress management techniques including deep slow breathing, positive self-talk and visualizing yourself walking and running and happy as a penguin following your surgery.
   
   
3. It sounds like you trust your new podiatrist and have done your homework on her/him and feel confident in their diagnosis and treatment suggestions, so relax and focus on your recovery.
   
   
4. Follow your doctor’s directions.
   
   
5. Go back to the Bunion Survivor Blog after your surgery and reread the posts on how to make your recovery easy.
   
   
6. Stay in touch and let me know how it goes.

Warmly,

Mary/Smiling Walker

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What else would you say to calm Snuggles concerns? Click on the "post" link below to share your thoughts. Your feedback is important and helpful.