Many people associate bunions with older patients, but the truth is, people of all ages need bunion surgery. Today, there are newer approaches to bunionectomy – like the Bunionplasty® procedure – that leave little to no scarring after you’ve healed.

If you’re considering bunion surgery but don’t want visible scars, read on.

Learn about different bunion surgery procedures.

If you’re considering bunion surgery, it’s important to do your homework. As you read more about the different approaches to bunionectomy, you’ll learn about different techniques and what kind of scars you can expect.

Scarring after bunion surgery depends on a few different factors, like the size and placement of the incisions, the surgeon’s level of experience, and the way your body heals in general.

Some approaches to bunionectomy are designed for a more attractive result. For example, the Bunionplasty® procedure uses tiny incisions, some of which can be hidden along the inside edge of the foot. Take a look at some Bunionplasty® procedure bunion surgery before and after photos, and you’ll see how attractive the results can be.

Decide when to have your bunion surgery.

Ironically, many people put off bunion surgery because they’re afraid of scarring. But in general, smaller bunions are easier to correct. If you wait until your bunion gets too big or causes complications, your surgeon might prefer to use an older bunionectomy technique that leaves a bigger scar than you’d like.

Of course, having a large or severe bunion doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a big scar. In fact, the Bunionplasty® procedure can be performed even on severe bunions. If you check out these bunion pictures before and after surgery, you’ll notice that even with an extreme bunion “before,” it’s almost impossible to see any scars after everything’s healed.

Choose the best bunion surgeon for you.

In NYC, Beverly Hills, and around the world, Dr. Blitz is known as the Bunion King® for a reason. He is highly respected by his peers for his minimally invasive bunion surgery techniques. And many of his delighted Bunionplasty® procedure patients go on to recommend him to others because of their attractive results and positive experience.

If you’ve been researching bunionectomy, you’ve seen that there are many surgeons who perform bunion surgery procedures. You might even see some doctors described as “certified” in a particular type of bunion surgery, but it’s important to learn more about them.

As creator of the Bunionplasty® procedure, Dr. Blitz is happy to answer any questions you may have about him or his approach to bunion surgery. He recommends that patients ask about a surgeon’s years of experience, the number of times they’ve performed that procedure, whether their patients have a high rate of complications, and more.

If it’s important to you not to have big scars after bunion surgery, a little education goes a long way.

Updated May 30, 2024

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It’s normal to be concerned about bunion surgery recovery times, especially with older procedures like the Lapidus bunionectomy. Most people with bunions have busy lives, jobs, and hobbies to return to. And while you already know the bunion surgery before and after pictures will be worth the wait, you’ll be even more excited to learn that some bunion surgery procedures have a much shorter recovery time than they used to.

Returning to work depends in which bunion surgery you have.

Historically, surgical treatment of large bunions can require the patient to be non-weightbearing, in a cast and crutches. Many of the surgeons who perform traditional Lapidus procedures still take this approach. But patients who opt for the Bunionplasty® procedure can look forward to a different experience.

In general, it takes about six weeks after bunion surgery for the bone to fully mend. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be laid up in bed for a month and a half. With a bunionectomy approach like the Bunionplasty® 360 Bunion Repair™ procedure created by Dr. Blitz, patients can walk the same day as their surgery – No Casts No Crutches®.

Will I really be able to work after bunion surgery?

Dr. Blitz, who’s known as the Bunion King®, was the pioneer of the “early walking lapidus bunionectomy.” Today, his Bunionplasty® procedure uses his patented technology and patent-pending techniques to re-align and stabilize the bones of the foot. This allows patients to walk immediately after their bunion surgery.

Can you work full time right after bunion surgery? That’s a different question. It depends on what your job is.

If you have a desk job or spend most of the day sitting, you could go back to work the very next day after the Bunionplasty® procedure – especially if your job is remote or you can get permission to work from home. But it’s never a bad idea to take a few days off to rest, if you can.

If your job requires you to be on your feet, or if your commute includes a lot of walking or standing, you might need to wait a bit longer to go back to work after bunion surgery.

In general, Bunionplasty® procedure patients are walking in sneakers at six weeks, and returning to normal activities and footwear like high heels after just two months.

Will my bunion surgery require a cast and crutches?

Unlike traditional bunionectomy procedures, Dr. Blitz’s Bunionplasty® procedure allows patients to walk immediately after the procedure. With the Bunionplasty® procedure, walking recovery means No Casts No Crutches®, just a small surgical sandal.

The Bunionplasty® procedure is performed in an outpatient surgical center, sometimes called an ambulatory surgical center or ASC. There’s no overnight stay, and you can be home and resting the same day. You’ll also learn how to ice your foot after bunion surgery, along with other simple post-op instructions.

Of course, if you have another foot surgery at the same time as your bunionectomy, like hammer toe surgery or a procedure to correct polydactyly, your recovery will be different.

Bottom line: if you need bunion surgery and can’t afford to miss a lot of work, the Bunionplasty® procedure could be the ideal solution for you.

Updated May 30, 2024

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It’s not uncommon for bunions to come back, even if you’ve had a bunionectomy. In fact, they’re more likely to recur if your bunion surgery was simply to shave down the bone, as opposed to a modern procedure like the Bunionplasty® procedure, or even older approaches like the Lapidus bunionectomy and other methods of realigning the bones of the foot.

Why Would a Shaved Bunion Grow Back after Bunionectomy?

The answer is simple: because bunion surgery isn’t just about getting rid of the bump. Many people believe a bunion is simply an overgrowth of bone, but it’s more than that.

A bunion forms because the big toe joint has shifted, and a bone called the metatarsal has slowly moved out of place and started pushing out against the skin. That’s what causes the bump. Shaving doesn’t fix the position of the bones, so the poor alignment (or “malalignment”) grows worse over time. That allows the metatarsal bone to start pushing against the skin again, making the bump reappear.

What Is the Right Way to Perform Bunion Surgery?

In order to properly correct a bunion, the surgeon needs to reposition the poorly aligned bones. While the Lapidus bunionectomy, or lapidus arthrodesis, was once considered the standard of care, Dr. Blitz now treats recurring bunions with the Bunionplasty® procedure, fixing the root of the problem in the underlying bone and returning it to its proper position.

The Lapidus bunionectomy was once considered a “first line of defense” bunion surgery, in part because it had a lower rate of recurrence than other methods at the time. But the good news is that when bunions do recur after a Lapidus procedure, they can still be corrected successfully with the Bunionplasty® procedure.

To help prevent recurrence of a bunion after bunion surgery, Dr. Blitz and his staff develop a treatment plan for each patient and their foot or feet.

Updated May 30, 2024

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How Does the Bunionplasty® Procedure Create More Attractive Results after Bunion Surgery?

In Dr. Blitz’s bunion surgery practice, patients specifically seek out the minimally invasive Bunionplasty® 360° Bunion Repair™ solution to avoid noticeable scarring after bunion surgery. The Bunionplasty® procedure uses tiny incisions that leave little to no scarring, even when correcting a bunion that’s large or severe.

In the Bunionplasty® procedure, special patent-pending  techniques allow the use of tiny incisions and/or incisions that are hidden on the inside of the foot. But these laparoscopy-like bunion surgery incisions still let the surgeon perform the underlying bone work, so that the bunion is repaired correctly.

By using minimally invasive techniques to handle the skin during bunion surgery, Dr. Blitz is able to minimize scarring. He also provides complete instructions for how to prepare for bunion surgery, shows patients how to ice their foot after bunion surgery, recommends nutritional supplementation to support optimal healing, and provides other recommendations, referrals, and general post-surgical care, support, and guidance.

Where Can I Find Dr. Blitz’s Bunion Surgery Before and After Pictures?

Looking at a doctor’s bunion pictures from before and after surgery is a great way to get a sense for the kinds of results that the surgeon can achieve. Of course, every patient is different, so your bunion before and after will be specific to your foot shape, bunion size, skin tone and texture, and other factors. Once you’ve had the Bunionplasty® procedure, created by Dr. Blitz, you’ll be able to share bunion surgery Before and After photos of your own, and show off your new feet with confidence.

Updated May 30, 2024

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Meet Dr. Blitz, Bunion King^® and Creator of the Bunionplasty^® Procedure

Dr. Neal Blitz is considered the best bunion surgeon in NYC by patients and colleagues alike. But you don’t have to be in New York to get the benefit of his expertise. Dr. Blitz is founder of the Beverly Hills Golden Surgery Center, an elite outpatient surgical facility where he performs the Bunionplasty® procedure.

Why Is Dr. Blitz Called the Bunion King^®?

Dr. Blitz was named the “Bunion King of New York” by MD News, an award-winning business and practice-management publication for leading physicians and surgeons. Dr. Blitz is the creator of the Bunionplasty® procedure, and became distinguished in bunion surgery after developing a medical implant that revolutionized bunion surgery recovery.

Today, Dr. Blitz’s patented medical devices and patent-pending bunion surgery methods allow patients to walk the same day as their surgery, No Casts No Crutches®. In fact, many patients walk immediately after their surgery, wearing just a small surgical sandal – even if they’ve had both feet corrected at once.

When you compare that to traditional bunion surgery approaches that require six weeks in a cast, it’s easy to see why Dr. Blitz is considered the best bunion surgeon in NYC.

What Else Does Dr. Blitz Do Besides Bunion Surgery?

Although Dr. Blitz is known as the Bunion King®, he is a renowned foot and ankle surgeon who performs a variety of procedures – including failed bunion surgery revisions performed by other surgeons. Many of his patients come to him with questions like “why would a Lapidus bunionectomy fail?” Dr. Blitz always takes time to explain the complications he sees from other surgeries, like shortened big toe during bunion surgery, or toe drift after bunion surgery. With clear information and a warm, friendly manner, Dr. Blitz ensures his patients are comfortable throughout.

In addition to bunion surgery, Dr. Blitz performs hammertoe surgery (The Glamour Toe Procedure® for hammer toes), tarsal coalition surgery, big toe arthritis surgery and other big toe procedures, a variety of toe surgery procedures, and other reconstructive foot and ankle surgeries.

Where Can I See Dr. Blitz’s Bunion Surgery Photos?

Over more than 20 years of his career, Dr. Blitz has performed more than 17,000 procedures, and maintains the largest known gallery of bunion surgery before and after pictures. Dr. Blitz’s Bunionplasty® 360° Bunion Repair™ solution uses tiny and/or hidden incisions. In addition to correcting the bunion, his Bunionplasty® procedure results in little to no scarring, so the patient’s foot is even more attractive after everything has healed. 

How Will I Know if Dr. Blitz is the Best Bunion Surgeon for Me?

You don’t have to travel to NYC or Beverly Hills to find out – patients who are interested in bunion surgery can learn more about Dr. Blitz here. You can even schedule a no-obligation telehealth consultation to meet with Dr. Blitz from the comfort of your home.

Updated May 30, 2024

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It’s understandable to be concerned about what happens after a bunionectomy – or any foot surgery, for that matter. Many of us take walking for granted, until something happens and we can’t.

But if you’re worried about not being able to walk after bunion surgery, there’s good news. There are minimally invasive bunion surgery approaches, like Dr. Blitz’s Bunionplasty® procedure, that allow a patient to walk the very same day as their bunionectomy.

What Makes a Bunion Painful Enough to Need Bunion Surgery?

A bunion (or “hallux abductovalgus”) forms when a bone in the first toe shifts towards the second toe. When these bones are out of alignment, they cause a bump on the inside of the foot. That bump gets bigger as the bones continue to shift over time.

The change in the positioning of the bones can become painful, especially for people who are constantly on their feet. As the bump grows and presses against the skin, clothing, and shoes, it can cause extreme pain, along with redness and swelling.

Can I Have Bunion Surgery and Still Be Able to Walk?

There’s good news: Dr. Blitz’s Bunionplasty® 360° Bunion Repair™ solution allows patients to walk the same day as their bunion surgery. Many are able to walk out of the surgery center wearing just a small surgical sandal – No Casts No Crutches®. That’s true even if they’ve had a bunionectomy in both feet at once, or the bunion is large.

That doesn’t mean you can run a marathon the day after your bunion surgery, of course. You’ll need to go slow, and Dr. Blitz recommends that patients plan to take it as easy as possible while recovering from this type of bunionectomy.

But for people who prefer to be constantly on the go, Dr. Blitz’s bunion surgery techniques can get you back on your feet fast. After the Bunionplasty® procedure, many of his patients are walking immediately in a surgical sandal, wearing sneakers and walking comfortably after six weeks, and back to their favorite activities and shoes after two months.

Updated May 30, 2024

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Addressing hallux varus, an uncommon outcome of failed bunion surgery.

Hallux varus is an unfortunate, uncommon result after bunion surgery. About 30% of Dr. Blitz’s practice consists of patients who seek him out after a failed bunion surgery. Performed elsewhere, their procedures have left them with a shortened big toe that deviates outward instead of in. In many cases, surgery is the only effective way to address the new problem.

Whether it’s a simple realignment or a severe hallux varus that could cause arthritis, Dr. Blitz not only works to repair patients’ feet – he’s dedicated to getting them moving again, and to restoring their daily lives.

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Correcting complications. Restoring relief.

When bunion surgery leaves a hallux varus, it’s natural to just want a normal foot again – or to regret the original surgery in the first place. Dr. Blitz’s approach seeks to avoid fusing the joints or further restricting motion, so he can deliver the results patients deserve.

Before & After Photos

Mild / Moderate

Large

Mild / Moderate

Failed bunion surgery and hallux varus.

Dr. Blitz has identified and characterized “failed bunion surgery syndrome” as a grouping of unfavorable outcomes, including hallux varus. While hallux varus can be congenital, that presentation is rare. It occurs most often as a result of overcorrection during bunion surgery, but can also happen with no defined reason. In Dr. Blitz’s experience, hallux varus may result from these technique-related factors:

• Too much bone was shaved from the bunion site
• The sesamoid, a small but important bone, was removed
• Over-tightening of ligaments leads to a muscular imbalance
• Bone procedures were overcorrected

Even with revision bunion surgery, a walking recovery is possible:

1

Day 1

Depending on the complexity, many patients can walk the same day in a surgical sandal.

2

Week 6

Longer periods of walking in sneakers or other comfortable, supportive shoes.

3

Month 2

Return to pre-bunion daily activities and footwear.

A novel approach to a complex problem.

Unfortunately, many new patients come to Dr. Blitz feeling like they’re a few steps behind. Their bunions may have returned after another surgeon has operated – and they may now be facing additional problems as a result, like hallux varus or even acute big toe arthritis. Dr. Blitz begins by evaluating the foot to determine whether soft tissue or bone work is needed, and takes a thoughtful but aggressive approach to repair. Why? Waiting too long can make the revision more invasive, and recovery more challenging. Dr. Blitz prioritizes avoiding big toe fusion, which can be necessary in long-standing hallux varus, because of its lifelong impact on mobility.

Dr. Blitz combines his surgical expertise and patient-focused care to deliver results – and relief:

Realign toe

Restore proper positioning with his state-of-the-art yet time-tested revision bunion repair techniques.

Avoid fusion

Extreme measures are a last resort; addressing the problem now preserves mobility of the big toe joint.

Restore motion

Advanced techniques improve the foot’s function for better balance and more natural movement.

What is Hallux Varus?

Hallux varus is a structural problem that impacts the big toe. While a bunion causes the big toe to lean towards the others, hallux varus does the opposite. It forces the toe to point away from the others, causing pain, ingrown toenails, weakness or instability, and difficulty walking or standing – not to mention making regular footwear uncomfortable or impossible to wear. Left untreated, hallux varus can lead to painful, restrictive arthritis of the big toe. Because hallux varus typically appears as a result of overcorrection during bunion surgery, revision surgery is often required to restore the toes and foot.

Published in leading medical journals.

Clinics in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery

Archives of Plastic Surgery

Foot & Ankle Quarterly

Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine

Podiatry Today

You deserve to walk like yourself again.

It’s time to give yourself – and your feet – the life-changing benefit of the Dr. Blitz experience. Get moving again today.

Schedule a Consultation

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The best bunion surgeon is just a screen share away.

From his NYC private practice or Beverly Hills offices, Dr. Blitz conducts telehealth consultations in a way that’s secure, accurate, and just as informative as an in-person visit. He puts even the most nervous patients at ease, going out of his way to create a connection and make sure his patients get what they need from the conversation. He’s also happy to consult or provide a second opinion. And should you decide to travel for bunion repair or other foot surgery with Dr. Blitz himself, his trusted staff will walk you through every step.

Schedule Your Consultation

Learn About Our Fly-In Program

Get the many benefits of telehealth with Dr. Blitz.

Convenient

Whether you’re in another hemisphere or right across town, Dr. Blitz is happy to begin with telehealth visits for your safety, comfort, and convenience.

Unbiased

Although Dr. Blitz requests your medical history, he provides his own expert perspective and delivers a well-informed opinion based on the most modern standards of care.

Reassuring

Dr. Blitz puts even the most concerned patients at ease, so don’t worry. He’ll let you guide the conversation, and he takes the time to answer all of your questions.

Experience

Dr. Blitz knows what he’s doing – he’s been performing telehealth visits for years, because patients around the world seek out his expertise.

Education

To help separate the facts from fiction and clear up misinformation around bunion surgery, Dr. Blitz offers the most medically up-to-date insights about your condition.

Examples

Dr. Blitz uses a variety of tools, methods, and even physical foot models to explain the details of each diagnosis, surgical procedure, and recovery.

Hope

As Dr. Blitz discusses the recovery timeline and outlook, patients get excited – and emotional – to hear that transformation is actually within reach.

The Dr. Blitz telehealth difference.

Dr. Blitz delivers the information and experience all patients deserve, from the moment his staff receives a request for a virtual visit.

Schedule Your Telehealth Consultation

One

Fill out our form.

Provide basic contact information and any other details you’d like to share before your virtual visit.

Two

Upload photos of your feet.

Follow the guidelines to take well-lit images that show the problem area in sharp detail—phone cameras work perfectly.

Three

Prepare to take the next step.

If you decide to move forward with surgery, Dr. Blitz and his staff will help schedule your procedure and provide all the info you need.

Please be advised that any information provided prior to an office visit is for general education purposes and should not be construed as medical care and treatment. As such, all communications prior to an office visit are not intended to create a doctor patient relationship. Should you require medical advice please contact our office to set up an appointment.

Insurance

Dr. Blitz’s dedicated staff will contact your insurance company to help determine your coverage.

Insurance

Fly-In Program

Our Fly-In Program makes this top foot surgeon’s care available to patients around the globe.

Fly-In Program

Published in leading medical journals.

Archives of Plastic Surgery

Clinics in Podiatric Medicine & Surgery

Foot & Ankle Quarterly

Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery

Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine

Podiatry Today

You deserve to walk
like yourself again.

It’s time to give yourself – and your feet – the life-changing benefit of the Dr. Blitz experience. Get moving again today.

Schedule Telehealth Consultation

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