It's common for people with bunions to wait until the very last minute to have surgery. They exhaust other options, like cortisone injections and pain relievers, before undergoing surgery. On one hand this makes sense, since bunion surgery is painful and can be expensive. But on the other hand, there are some benefits to be enjoyed when you opt to have bunion surgery a bit sooner.

1. You will feel better sooner.

Yes, recovering from bunion surgery is painful, but you know that the pain has an end. If you're just dealing with bunion pain day after day, that can get pretty burdensome since you don't know if or when the pain will end. Going though a week or two of more intense post-surgical pain may be better than going through another several years of nagging, throbbing bunion pain. 

2. You won't have to take as many pain relievers.

Taking pain relievers consistently for bunion pain is not without its consequences. Even if you use safer, over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen, long-term use does increase your risk of problems like kidney damage. If you have bunion surgery sooner, you'll be taking pain relievers for a few weeks after surgery, but after that, you shouldn't need them. This is healthier for your liver, kidneys, and other organs, which need to last you the rest of your life.

3. You can increase your activity levels sooner.

When you're dealing with bunion pain, there is a tendency to do no more physical activity than is necessary. Going for a jog is probably off the table. You may even park closer to buildings to avoid walking further than needed. Over time, this lack of exercise can add up, increasing your risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart attack. If you have your bunions surgically corrected sooner, you can increase your physical activity levels and live a healthier lifestyle.

4. You may recover faster.

If you have your bunions operated on now, the surgeon may not need to do quite as much. There may be less trauma to the surrounding muscles and tendons, which means you're likely to recover faster than if you were to put off the surgery for a few more years. If you want a quick recovery, schedule your bunion surgery sooner rather than later.

If you have bunions, don't put off surgery for too long. There are a lot of advantages to having your bunions corrected sooner, rather than later.

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