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I had my 1st post-op visit yesterday with my podiatrist and it went really well. I had been instructed not to remove my dressing until I saw him and although I was sorely tempted to examine the surgical site, I resisted the temptation to do so. However, while I was sitting on the exam table waiting for him to come in, I figured what the heck – and I removed the dressing myself.

To my great delight, I had no swelling of the forefoot and only minimal swelling of the toes. My 3rd toe is numb but I expected that. The incision site was clean and sutured using a one long suture that lies just under the skin rather than bunching the skin together with separate stitches.

I told him how I had virtually no pain or swelling post-operatively compared to last year. He knew I had been given a basic surgical shoe (flat, wooden soled shoe w/one velcro strap) to wear last year. His practice though is to put his patients in a rocker-bottom surgical air boot designed to minimize swelling (and the pain associated with it) as well as protect the foot. I can actually walk in it without crutches. (Last year I had to use crutches for about a month.) I’ll need to wear the boot for a month until I see him next.

Because of OSHA regulations, I was required to have a closed-toe boot in order to see patients. No problem – he’s ordered one for me and in fact, called me on my way home to tell me about a slight change that needed to be made in the order. In other words, he took the time out of his busy practice to call me personally about the modification – he didn’t leave it to an assistant – not that that wouldn’t have been ok. It’s just an example of his attention to detail that makes all the difference.

The pathology report isn’t back yet but my podiatrist told me the neuroma was pretty large. I’m glad to have it out and I look forward to healing quickly and uneventfully. Besides, we’ve planned a 3 day skiing vacation in February and my goal is to get my foot back into ski boots by then.  And as for flying, well I expect to get back in the air as soon as I’m out of my boot. I can’t wait!