Foot surgery - and scared to lose my gym routine

I've had plantar fasciitis for years and have been actively treating it for 1.5 years. I have tried ALL of the conservative treatments there are (please, no one suggest icing and stretching and Dr. Scholls or I'll lose it, LOL), and losing weight has not helped at all. I saw a new podiatrist on Wednesday who told me surgery is my best bet for fixing this issue. The problem in my case is that the plantar fasciia (tendon-like tissue on the bottom of my feet) is too tight, and my gastrocnemius muscle (one muscle that makes up the three muscles in the calves) is too tight. He suggests two procedures on both sides to release the tightness in my feet/legs (endoscopic plantar fasciotomy and gastrocnemius recession).

The recovery doesn't exactly sound fun. I will have restrictions on exercise. At least two months before I can do anything high impact such as running, jumping, squats.

I'm about 90% sure I'm going to do it - waiting to hear back from the doctor so I can ask him some more questions. Besides the fear of it not working and the cost (still paying for my VSG), I am terrified of getting out of my gym routine. I've worked so hard these past couple months. I have personal training twice a week; I exercise 6 days a week. I am seeing results, I enjoy it, I don't want to stop and most of all I don't want to undo all of this progress. Two months without squats sounds unimaginable. But I know these foot issues will continue on for way more than two months, and they will limit me far more than the surgery will. I have to think of my long term goals over my short term ones.

I know I can handle the pain, I know I will have to be really careful with my eating, my trainer is willing to work with my restrictions. I know I can do it. But I am still just scared of messing up, I guess. At 6 months out, 7 or so by the time I have the surgery, I'm still in the magical "honeymoon period."

I just had to put this out there. Has anyone else had to have a surgery so soon after VSG? Did it throw you off your game? Are my muscles going to waste away from not using them like I am now? Any advice? Anyone want to just tell me to chill out? *sigh*

Does your gym offer rowing or any other form of upper body or core exercises that you could transition into so you could keep going to your gym?

Oh yeah, they have rowing machines - I kinda forgot about them because I don't like them very much, haha. Yes, there are plenty of things I should be able to do. Thanks for the suggestion.

In my opinion, having the surgery to help your plantar fasciitis will help in the long run. Yes, you might have a little bump in the road while you're recovering, but you'll be able to do more after you've healed! I have tendonosis in both of my feet (adult onset flat feet) and when I had the surgery I was at the point I had to wear a foot brace on both of my feet. It was recommended that I have surgery, but I decided not to. I couldn't imagine being the size i was at that point and being laid up for 2 months, with no weight bearing, then to turn around and do it with the other foot. My feet have gotten better since losing all of the weight and now I only have to wear custom insoles. Also, I'm now working in a job where I'm on my feet for 5 hours a day and they don't hurt. I realize we don't have the same foot issues, but there is hope!

Also, just to ease your mind a bit, if your sleeve is as "tight" as mine, don't worry too much about the honeymoon period. My capacity is still quite small and some days it's a chore to get in enough calories to keep in maintenance and to not continue losing. So, now I'll tell you to "chill out"! You'll do fine! :)

 

 

Cindy, I'm glad to hear your foot condition improved with weight loss. Foot pain is no picnic. I was hoping mine would get better - it was a big part of what finally pushed me to have the VSG surgery, but at least it sounds like there's a solution. And yes, my sleeve is tight at 6 months - I can't eat more than 2 ounces of meat. Thank you :)

You're welcome. I hope the surgery works for you. Good luck! :)

 

Before you cut...have you tried NMT therapy? I went through a course of it and it was magical. I also had issues with excessive tension in lower leg/foot/toe fascia, resulting in occasional plantar fascia flares,but I am sure nothing as bad as you have.

I just hate to see you lose momentum in your progress.
Laurie

I'm not familiar with NMT therapy. I googled it and it looks like a form of massage? I haven't tried that, but my chiropractor has been doing the Graston Technique on my feet for quite awhile. It's like really intense massage, where a metal instrument is used to rub out scar tissue. He actually did it on my calves yesterday after I told him about what the podiatrist said and I freaking have bruises from it. Ouch.

I think I'm going to have to just have the surgeries. I'm ready to be done with PF. I don't want to lose momentum either, but the PF is really limiting what I do anyway. I feel like I'm choosing between the short term and the long term. It sucks, but I think I know what the right decision in.

It sounds like the equivalent of NMT. Sorry that it didn't work - you must have a lot of damage in there. It sounds like you still have some good options for workouts even after surgery. If it'll cure you, go for it!

I did find that my hammer toes were the culprits, actually - the shortening there caused tension all up the chain even to my hips and back. Once we got them relaxed, everything else relaxed and my balance improved greatly. But, I don't think I had the level of damage it sounds like you have going on.

You've got this under control, girl! Just monitor and modify your intake when you aren't as active- you know the levers to pull!

Laurie

Interestingly, I have no actual damage. He took several xrays of my feet and they are completely normal! The problem is just that my plantar fascia and gastroc muscle are abnormally tight and force my foot into the wrong position. At least, that is LIKELY the cause of my pain.