Cosmetic foot surgery in the news - Foot Problems Message Board

bigbadfeet · 04-16-2004, 10:13 PM

I just saw a story on the news regarding cosmetic foot surgery. It's the 2nd one I've seen in the past week or so.
The first one wasn't very precise and I came away wondering exactly what kind of surgeries these women were having. However, the story I saw tonight was about this young woman who wanted to be able to wear the latest shoe styles, but she couldn't because of wide feet. They showed her sitting in the Dr office with both feet in a whirlpool.
Then they cut away to the surgeon who started explaining bunion and hammertoe surgery.
It turns out that this woman had bunion surgery, but apparently only because she wanted to be able to wear fashionable, pointy-toe shoes. Then she said that she was able to start wearing high heels two weeks after surgery.
I'm wondering how long it will be before she needs surgery again.

Oh! I remember something about the first story. It mentioned botox injections and I think collagen injections in the ball of the foot to make high heels more comfortable since so much of your weight is carried on the ball of your foot.

I haven't worn high heels in years and I don't miss them, but then, I'm not a dress up kind of girl.
I'm curious...how many of you would be willing to undergo cosmetic procedures just so you could wear heels?

Janet (BigBad)

apegirl · 04-17-2004, 12:42 AM

Well, I know I wouldn't go through this simply for vanity's sake. But is it awful for me to admit that I like the way my feet are so pretty and straight now? (And if you squint just the right way, the scars practically disappear!). I've been following the news lately as well. They put either collagen or your own butt fat into the balls of your feet to cushion them for high heels. As well as bunion surgery, women are having their middle toes shortened to fit into shoes (kinda reminds me of that particularly gruesome version of Cinderella where the ugly stepsisters slice pieces of their feet off to fit into the glass slipper). Well anyway, pre-surgery I could fit perfectly into the pointiest shoes imaginable because my big toes were at such an angle that my feet came to a point anyway. And although I was screaming in pain after an hour, they looked great (as long as I never took my shoes off <shudder>). I don't even know if my feet will fit in high heels anymore, but you can bet I'll try for very special occasions. Occasionally. For a half hour or so. Maybe.

Linda

katkuntz · 04-17-2004, 06:19 AM

Never ever ever!! I agree that heels are fashionable, but they are horrible for your body! They are hard on the feet, knees, and back. Not to mention how easy it is turn turn and snap your ankle while wearing them. Give me some comfy sneakers any day!

Ally073 · 04-17-2004, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbadfeet

I'm curious...how many of you would be willing to undergo cosmetic procedures just so you could wear heels?

I would have to admit that I will get my left foot done in another years time just so they 'match' as it doesnt really give me any trouble (apart from the bony ugly) I always wanted my bunions removed from the age of 13 but told myself to wait until they hurt. Once I started to get too much pain in my foot, I actually got ... (hate to admit it) .... excited because I knew that I could finally have pretty and functional feet ... or foot at this stage.

sealover · 04-21-2004, 01:45 AM

I would NEVER elect to have cosmetic surgery on my feet for vanity's sake, either. You never know if there will be complications from a surgery, and then you'll be wishing you never had the procedure done.

As far as collagen or fat injections to build up the balls of your feet, I have researched and have spoken to 2 podiatrists about the injections because an area of fat pad on the ball of my left foot is atrophied (thinned out) due to 2 cortisone injections. Well, the bad news is that the collagen and fat injections are only temporary. Fat injections do not stay in place because the natural fat layer is held in place by fibrous tissue often referred to a septae, and any fat injected there will migrate. Collagen injections in the balls of the feet are VERY expensive! I've seen a TV program in which a well-known NY podiatrist injects collagen to add cushioning, but she never stated how long this collagen lasts (my podiatrists told me it lasts about 2 weeks). I was quite disappointed to learn that the injections are only temporary as I need a permanent fix for my problem. So one solution would be to buy inserts for shoes or padding that you wear on the balls of your feet to help add cushioning.

If anyone has had the collagen injections in their feet, please let us know how much it cost and how long the injections lasted.