Most bunion surgeries take about one hour, though more complex procedures can run up to 90 minutes. The time in the operating room is only part of your day, though. Between pre-op preparation, the surgery itself, and a few hours of post-anesthesia monitoring, you should plan to be at the hospital or surgical center for roughly half a day.
What Affects Operating Time
The type of procedure your surgeon performs is the biggest factor in how long you’ll be on the table. A simple bunionectomy, where the bony bump is shaved down, is the quickest option. An osteotomy, which involves cutting and repositioning the bone, takes longer because the surgeon needs to secure the new alignment with screws or pins. A Lapidus fusion, used for more severe bunions or when the joint at the base of the big toe is unstable, can take up to 90 minutes because the surgeon fuses two bones together and must ensure proper positioning before closing.
If you’re having both feet done at once, expect the total operating time to roughly double. Some surgeons prefer to stage bilateral corrections weeks or months apart so you always have one functional foot during recovery, but simultaneous surgery is an option in certain cases.
Minimally Invasive vs. Traditional Open Surgery
Minimally invasive bunion surgery uses very small incisions and causes less trauma to surrounding tissue. The operating time is generally comparable to traditional surgery, but the real difference shows up in recovery speed. With traditional open surgery, the larger incision and more extensive bone work mean more swelling, more pain, and a longer healing window. Minimally invasive techniques often allow patients to bear weight sooner, and some people even drive themselves home the same day. Traditional surgery patients typically cannot drive for at least six weeks.
What the Rest of Your Day Looks Like
Bunion surgery is almost always an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. You’ll arrive at the surgical center one to two hours before your scheduled time to complete paperwork, change into a gown, and receive anesthesia. Most bunion surgeries use a regional nerve block to numb the foot, sometimes combined with sedation so you’re relaxed but not fully unconscious.
After the procedure, you’ll spend a few hours in the recovery room while the medical team monitors you as the anesthesia wears off. They’ll check your pain levels, make sure you’re alert, and go over your discharge instructions. You’ll leave in a post-operative shoe or wedge sandal, and you’ll need someone to drive you home.
Recovery Timeline Week by Week
The surgery itself is the short part. Recovery is measured in weeks and months, not hours.
During the first two weeks, you’ll wear a wedge post-op sandal and avoid putting any weight on the front of your foot. Gentle transfers through the heel are allowed when necessary, but your forefoot needs to stay unloaded. This is the most restrictive phase: you’ll want to keep your foot elevated as much as possible to manage swelling, and you’ll likely need prescription pain relief for the first several days.
From weeks two through six, you continue walking in the wedge sandal, still avoiding pressure across the forefoot. Swelling gradually decreases, and most people find their pain becomes manageable with over-the-counter options by this point. Your surgeon will likely see you for follow-up visits to check bone healing with X-rays.
Between weeks six and twelve, once your surgeon confirms the bone is healing properly, you can transition out of the wedge sandal and into supportive shoes with good arch support. This is when walking starts to feel more normal again, though some stiffness and mild swelling can linger for months. Full recovery, where the foot feels completely settled and you can wear most shoes comfortably, typically takes three to six months.
Time Off Work
The NHS recommends planning for two to twelve weeks off work, which is a wide range because it depends entirely on what your job requires. If you work at a desk and can keep your foot elevated, two to three weeks may be enough. If your job involves standing, walking, or physical labor, you’re looking at closer to six to twelve weeks before you can safely return. Talk to your surgeon about your specific role so you can plan accordingly.
When You Can Drive Again
After traditional bunion surgery, most people should avoid driving for at least six weeks. In practice, many patients don’t feel comfortable behind the wheel until eight or nine weeks, once pain and stiffness have eased enough to press pedals quickly and firmly. If the surgery was on your left foot and you drive an automatic, you may be able to return slightly earlier since your right foot handles the pedals. Right foot surgery typically requires the full wait.
Minimally invasive surgery changes this significantly. Because the incisions are smaller and tissue damage is minimal, some patients drive the same day. Before you get behind the wheel after any bunion procedure, test your reaction time by sitting in your parked car and practicing moving between the brake and accelerator. If you hesitate or feel pain, you’re not ready. And if you’re still taking prescription painkillers, driving is off the table regardless of how the foot feels.