Another day! 4 weeks and 5 days post op.

I have had to learn the hard way many times too! 

I am counting down the days to getting the pins out! I am so tired of walking like a duck, taking a bath with my feet hanging out of the side of the tub, wearing these boots, shoes or whatever they are, people staring like they have never seen these shoes, boots or whatever they are and sleeping on my side and back.

When I had bunion surgery in 2002, I don't remember feeling this anxious to get it over with, but I'm thinking it could be because I got out more and the pins were out by now.

I don't have any regrets...at all. Just ready for the pins to come out so I can start feeling a little more normal again.

I've been so confused about what to do about my scars. My doctor didn't give me any directions about how to treat and that's kind of frustrating me because I am reading so many different things on the internet. I don't remember what I did to the scars way back when and I don't think I did much, if anything at all; and although you can see the scars a little, they look good. 

Yesterday I started feeling anxious about doing "something" to my incisions to help the healing along and I applied the Newgel scar gel. the next morning I got all paranoid thinking I had scabs on my incisions still and because it tingled after applying it, I decided that wasn't a good idea.

So, after reading a ton of stuff about what to put on the incisions once the stitches come out, to help the incisions heal faster, of all thing, I decided to get some Aquaphor Healing Ointment. I have read that people use Vitamin E, A&D Ointment, Vaseline, Shea Butter & Aquaphor. Oh! And even lotions like Eucerin. I read that keeping it moisturized helps it heal faster. I want things to heal so I can start putting my Newgel+ scar gel on my incisions (again) and I can't apply it until the scabs are gone and the incisions have closed.

Well, with the exception of my pinkie toes, my incisions look like they have closed. In fact, I only see scabs on my second toes. My doctor told me my pinkie toes may look like the incisions have re-opened, but they have not. I can't remember why he said they look this way, but I am going to ask when I go see him next week Monday.

So, one by one, I greased my toes up with the Aquaphor Ointment. I mean, I slapped it on! Feeling good about it, I put clean socks on both feet; then kicked back to watch T.V. Not even 3 minutes later... Oh my goodness! Somebody ring the alarm! My feet are on fire! I need water!!! Water!!!

At first I thought, it's just an intense tingle from the "healing" agents, but then I thought no, this can't be good. What if it's irritating my incisions?!?  I immediately filled a pan with water and washed my feet. I had to get it off! 

No where did I read this would happen! I even read the ingredients and researched each one of them. Maybe it was nothing/normal, but I wasn't taking any chances. I paid $10 for a small jar of this stuff and now I realize I should have just gotten the Vaseline or even the Vitamin E! I bought it from Walgreens and I sure am going to try to return it and get something else. 

So, now I have decided to purchase Vitamin E, Bio Oil or Natural Shea Butter. Really leaning toward Shea Butter. I read that it has some great healing agents.  I just don't like the idea of not doing anything, especially since my incisions on a couple toes are raised and hard. I don't like this and I am too afraid to not do anything. 

I also decided to order the NewGel+ Sheets. I did not order them at first. I only ordered the gel in the tube because I was afraid that my incisions were too small for it to be worth it, but then I started thinking of the benefit of the sheet being on my toes 24/7. The gel may get rubbed off from my shoes, socks or whatever. I had excellent results using the sheets when I had breast implants placed. I would hate for my results to be less than and feel like it's because I did not use the sheets. Better safe than sorry!

I also think the sheets will form a barrier of protection from my shoe, which I may not need, but you never know. The Newgel+ product is more much expensive than many other brands, but this stuff is MAGIC! I'm not kidding; and I dare not try something else just because it's cheaper! No, not on something like this.

I also want to mention that my feet continue to swell, often. But I am walking soooo much better. I don't even need the crutches to be honest. Today they are swelling more often than usual, but I know that this is a normal part of it all. I have little shots of pain here and there, but no major pain at all. The toe that hurts more than any other and it's not constant pain, is my left foot pinkie toe.

I think things are going well so far. I am still having issues with my left foot in terms of appearance. I am really not happy that he did not try to make my second toes look as close to one another as he could. I'm hoping that once the swelling goes down and I heal more, it will look better, but for now I am definitely paranoid about it. I have dealt with foot insecurities for at least 20 years and I didn't do all of this without the desire to end those insecurities. Praying for satisfaction and patience.

Happy Memorial Day!