One Week Update. 7 day progression to the hour. What I have learned so far (little to no good beta out there).
I have kept mine open the whole time. To bandage them would have been a complete mess. You are basically walking a fine line here....
encouraging them to heal, but not too quickly to prevent the drainage from the slow burning acid procedure (permanent removal process). I find that in the morning, they are dry and healed over (I keep my feet elevated). Although this looks and feels good originally, as morning progresses they start to swell and need to be scrubbed open so the acid burn continues to drain. Pain from swelling pretty much helps you face the scrubbing even though that is pretty damn painful. Still don't walk normal yet. Body or nerves in the toe don't allow you to make a full heel to toe stroke. Looking to hopefully get out for a run in week two and climbing would seem at least 3 weeks out total and then I expect some
serious sensitivity adjustment.
The pro? no question doing 9 at once. You can imagine I pay little notice to the 7 smaller ones. If a guy had one smaller one done, he/she would pay a ton of attention to it.
Con? I don't think my doc in our small town anyway, has really done this procedure on to many younger active types. So they offered little in the way of expectations or what to do. I am thinking many folks who get this done are under nurses care anyway.
Biggest Lesson? He gave me a prescription for pain and antibiotics. The antibiotic they said no big deal, just take when/if you see a lot of redness. Well one clearly got infected (big right toe in photo). I believe if removing 9 at once, they can go ahead an just tell the patient to take a round of antibiotics. I have been very prudent and careful, but impossible to avoid infection with the acid burn seeping open the wound all day. Next update two weeks. Hope this is helpful for fellow adventure sorts curious about this procedure/idea.
Is it worth it? Dude, I sure hope so!