How was surgery for you?

That sounds awful!

I have never heard of this. That sounds horrible. Can you find another doctor?

That sounds horrible. I am in the UK and had general anesthesia as well as nerve blocker. Upon wakening I had loads of pain do requested painkillers and was given some strong ones. I'm sorry you had that experience. Sounds awful and unusual but maybe normal where you are?

My friends mum had hers done awake and I feel she was very very brave... we are uk based. I've had the surgery and wouldn't want to have that done and be aware of it.

😮 I was asleep

Oh my, I was under and had a nerve block. Never had pain till day two, and then by day 4 I was just taking Tylenol. I hope you can find someone else!

This sounds like a nightmare. Was this done in the UK or the US? Did you not want twilight or a stronger block?

I was totally out!

Not normal I've had both my feet done I was put to sleep I had no pain in both feet ever

I was knocked out.

Does no anesthesia lessen the risk of blood clots?

😢 I’ve heard that they’re done while the patient is awake but thankfully I was completely out🥰 I could never ever do that 🥴😱

I love this post! Raises a bunch of questions and uncertainties that most doctors don’t address with their patients. First, sounds like your experience was not good, something no one should have to deal with - especially without knowing. I will preface by saying that I perform this surgery daily without general anesthesia, the numbing part, injections, depending on how many toes are being worked on is the worst. No doubt. Takes less than 20 seconds normally, and 5 pokes. I will weigh pros and cons from my experience, but admittedly, this is not that of the patient. What I, personally offer, is different than what you’ve had, and more similar to sedation dentistry - offering Valium, lorazepam for anxiety, and nitrous oxide/laughing gas, to help with the pain of the injections. Nonetheless, here is what I have found. General anesthesia- don’t feel the foot injections. That’s a positive. In my experience, that’s about it. The negatives I see - cost, anesthesia comes with it the cost of the doctor, in addition, the cost of the often required tests - lab draw, (which is also more needle sticks), urine test, chest x-rays, EKG, not to mention the IV poke - which I have needed for other surgeries (took 3 attempts to get a good vein that didn’t roll, or blow - bruised arm for 3 wks). If other comorbidities - diabetes, fasting leads to medicine adjustments, if blood thinners, often heparin bridge which is needle pokes to stomach 1-3 times daily for 1-4 wks. If RA - often need a C-spine x-ray, and medicine adjustments if on anti rejection medications. Also, the fasting. And recovery. Your experience of having numbing not last long, is not what my patients get at all. My patients are often numb for 24-48hrs. Also, they never wake up out of anesthesia in pain, because 1, I they are never put to sleep, and 2, I could not perform the surgery with them awake without a good block. I have heard horror stories of patient la waking up during the surgery in pain, as well as in the recovery area in pain with a cast on that needed a further block and a cast change. Some docs insert popliteal pain catheters in the pre-op area, which is often ultrasound guided, but another poke or too. I’m sorry you had the experience, definitely not good. But, I will say I have patients travel from all over, 17 states last year, and other countries because I don’t use general anesthesia (I also don’t use hardware) and let my patients walk - typically takes under an hour, and some fly home same day). General anesthesia comes with added risks of pneumonia, chipped teeth from intubation, scratched cornea from taping your eyes closed, stroke, UTI (if a catheter is used), amongst needing a ride home and hours/days in hospital. Some younger patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia, can be fatal. All these rare, but zero if not put to sleep. If you want your other foot fixed, but don’t want to be put under, feel free to reach out. We offer free phone/email consults.

I would have to be out!

I was totally out, that sounds horrible! Editing to add though, I don't think it was general anesthesia however. If I recall correctly they just sedated the crap out of me and I did have an IV. I was not aware of anything happening.

I did both bunion and Taylor’s bunion on both feet at the same time, I was put to sleep and had block put in, don’t think I could have handled it otherwise, I’m in Australia

I was under general anesthesia. I can’t imagine being awake for entire procedure.

I had both feet done (4 months between surgeries) this way and have zero regrets. My Dr gave me a Valium to take when I got to the clinic and I was fine. As mentioned above, the numbing injections were the worst part- I felt nothing but movement and it was over quickly. I saved thousands by not going to a hospital and I really don’t like the way anesthesia makes me feel. Everyone is different for sure! I knew what I was getting into too beforehand.

What did they actually do??

I’m so sorry!!! Yes, AntiAnxiety meds before, anesthesia totally knocked out and nerve block! Narcotic pain meds after for a few days.

I was totally out! That process seems barbaric to me! This is 2025 get the anesthesia

That's exactly how I'd prefer to have it done and I'm a nurse anesthetist!

This sounds dreadful, sorry to hear you had such a terrible experience with your bunion surgery. I was also awake for my op, I felt a little pushing and pulling about but I felt absolutely no pain. Before the op I had two or three local anaesthetic injections near my ankle and very light sedation which made me feel relaxed. The procedure didn't involve any hardware and after refreshments I was able to walk out of the hospital wearing a post operative shoe. I didn't need crutches. The numbness didn’t wear off until the following morning. I don't know where you had your surgery but my surgeon was Mr Bianchi at The Private Clinic, London, UK

No ... that's not a great experience. I was asked what music do I want. Given snacks and water beforehand Sitting up in a chair that had a warming blanket I could not see anything - there was a drape. Also - the nerve blocker for me worked for about 24 hours not 2 hours. I am 2 weeks post op - get stitches out tomorrow and pin out in 2 weeks. Minimally invasive ... with a pin.

I was under a general anaesthetic for the first one and spinal nerve block and sedation for the second foot. Your experience sounds like torture