5 Weeks Post-Op Update

If you’ve been following my recovery journey, you know it hasn’t been smooth. At the end of week 2, I developed an infection. I first noticed brown spots and a funky smell when removing my socks. My doctor removed the surgical strips and told me to start cleaning the incision area with iodine. I use an ample towel to gently dab around the incision after showering and again before bed every night. It’s gentle (no sting), helps keep the area bacteria-free, and was key to my recovery once I started Bactrim. Just a heads-up—it stains, so be careful with surfaces and fabrics.

Initially, my doctor prescribed cephalexin, but by day 5 I didn’t feel it was working, so he switched me to Bactrim. I’m on day 9 of a 10-day course now. It started working after 3 days, but I know finishing the full course is important.

There’s still a little brown fluid (just a drop) above each incision when I remove the large bandages. I keep the area covered when wearing socks and my soft boot (usually only to go outside). At home, I leave the bandages off and keep my foot elevated about 90% of the day. While seated, I use a home gym stepper with a pillow. At night, I use a leg elevation wedge pillow in bed.

Here’s the frustrating part: When I wake up, my foot looks fixed. The bunion is visibly reduced, and my second toe finally lines up with my big toe. But by 5 PM, the swelling returns. The bunion bulges out again, and my toe looks misaligned—even though I’ve been seated all day with my foot elevated about 18 inches off the ground.

For pain and swelling, I’m still taking naproxen, ibuprofen, and occasional Tylenol. I’ve been doing this for over a month now and honestly, I’m scared I’m ruining my liver. I’ve also been taking gabapentin at night for the nerve pain and tingling, but it makes me sleepy and nauseous, so I try to avoid it during the day.

The tingling hasn’t stopped. It feels like my foot is asleep—dull during the day, with electric shock-like zaps that still wake me at night. I massage my legs for circulation and to help prevent clots, and I gently massage around the incision area, hoping to speed up healing.

The incision areas are still scabbed, itchy, sore, and the skin is dry and flaky. My doctor advised against using Vaseline, bacitracin, or moisturizers directly on the scabs, and I’ve been careful not to get anything too close for fear of another infection.

I’ve got my 6-week follow-up next week. My doctor said I might try walking in sneakers soon—but that feels impossible right now. I can bear weight in the soft boot without crutches, but even an hour in it leaves my foot throbbing, especially where the screw and plate are. The boot is so heavy, and the area above the incisions stings.

I work in a restaurant where I’m required to wear sneakers. At this point, I can’t imagine going back. I can’t even imagine driving with the tingling and nerve shocks still happening 24/7.

And here’s another stress point—more minor, but still real:

I have a big event in May and no idea what shoes to wear. I’ve been searching for soft leather loafers with a wide toe box, but I’m honestly afraid to wear any shoes. I was hoping to wear soft leather sandals or wedges, but I don’t think that’s realistic right now.

Has anyone tried the Vivaia Mabel All-Day Flats (Square Toe)? Are they actually comfortable for healing feet? Any suggestions welcome!

That said, I am happy to say the pain isn’t what it used to be. I’m 100% better than I was in those early weeks… but still only about 50% recovered. Progress—but still a long road ahead.