The recovery for cosmetic foot surgery is primarily the same as any other foot surgery. Where the lifestyle difficulties and length of recovery time both increase are the more complex surgeries, usually involving more attention on the bone, joint and tendon structures of the foot. For example, a toe or digital procedure allows the patient to walk after surgery and then back into a shoe when the incision is healed between 2 and 3 weeks. A joint procedure like the common Bunion surgery has different stages and requires different surgical procedures. For example, a moderate or severe bunion surgery with a large first metatarsal phalangeal joint angle requires an osteotomy or surgical bone fracture.
These procedures require the patient to remain completely non-weight bearing for 3-6 weeks depending upon both the procedure performed and the patient’s overall healing capabilities (age, medical conditions, medications, etc.). Returning to shoes, especially high heels, is a gradual process between 4-8 weeks depending on the patient’s overall health status, incision placement, scar tissue remodeling, and joint range of motion.