It’s one thing to be thrilled about a stylish pair of stilettos; it’s quite another to have your feet surgically changed to wear them. The cosmetic surgery fad has spread from the face to the feet, as severe and reckless as it may appear. Men and women are undergoing foot procedures to give their feet a “facelift” and are riding the wave of this trend.
Every year, an increasing number of individuals improve the appearance and feel of their feet. People turn to somewhat invasive cosmetic foot surgery to make sure that their feet look great in open toe sandals and look great in their favorite footwears. Instead of living with painful and ugly issues like bunions, hammertoes, corns, and calluses, seeking professional help is a much more preferred course of action.
Here are some essential things to know before considering cosmetic foot surgery:
What is Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
As the name suggests, cosmetic foot surgery is performed on the lower extremities for aesthetic rather than therapeutic reasons. When performed on an otherwise functional foot, the procedure’s only purpose is to improve its look. Like most cosmetic surgeries, these procedures were created as by-products of medically required procedures and used for aesthetical purposes only.
What are some Cosmetic Foot Surgery Procedures, and what do they do?
The type of surgery or procedure that the patient will undergo generally depends on the foot condition and preferred outcome. Traditional foot surgeries use a somewhat different strategy than these techniques. During cosmetic foot surgery, special attention is paid to incision design and the application of a plastic surgical closure.
Additionally, specific suture materials with minimal tissue reactivity are employed to assist and reduce scarring. Patients should freeze and elevate their feet vigorously during the first four to seven days to minimize edema, discomfort and speed up healing.
Here are some Cosmetic Foot Surgery procedures available in most clinics:
Bunion Surgery for Cosmetic Reasons
The uncomfortable lump on top or the side of the big toe joint is removed during bunion surgery. It’s often done to relieve discomfort in the big toe joint or get rid of ugly foot disease. When feasible, the incision is made on the side of the foot for aesthetic reasons rather than on the top of the foot, which leaves a noticeable scar.
Hammertoe Surgery For Cosmetic Purposes
This surgery is used to treat painfully constricted toes. It may also be used to get rid of unattractive corns. The incision may occasionally be made between the toes to reduce visible scars. The usual incision location on the top of the toe leaves pronounced scars.
Toe-Shortening Surgery For Cosmetic Purposes
The second toe (next to the big toe) is the most common toe to be shortened. However, any toe may be reduced. Incisions are often carefully positioned between the toes, similar to hammertoe surgery, to minimize noticeable scarring. The pinkie toe is slimmed, and unpleasant, ugly corns are removed with this surgical technique. Patients may now easily and painlessly wear fashionable shoes after this treatment.
Facelift For The Feet
A combination of the preceding techniques is used to narrow the foot and improve its look. Patients often comment on how “roomy” their shoes are and that wearing elegant shoes or heels is now a comfortable alternative.
Nail Surgery for Cosmetic Purposes
This surgical technique removes ingrown toenails and fungal toenails, which make fashionable shoes unpleasant.
Pros And Cons Of Undergoing Cosmetic Foot Surgery
Cosmetic operations for the foot have clear advantages and disadvantages. However, most ethical surgeons will warn you that the disadvantages outweigh the benefits unless there is pain or specific health issues.
Here are some of the Pros and Cons of Cosmetic Foot Surgery
Pros
- Experience more comfort.
- Natural deformities are repaired, boosting one’s self-esteem.
- Satisfies the desire to modify foot aesthetically.
Cons
- There’s a risk for all sorts of surgical complications.
- It may lead to an irreparably broken foot.
- Expected or the desired result can’t be assured.
- The surgery can be excruciating.
- There’s a long time before full recovery, depending on what type of surgery is undergone.
- Very costly.
In a nutshell
Cosmetic foot surgery is a type of surgery that deals with aesthetical problems and preferences on a patient’s foot. These surgeries are done not for therapeutic reasons but for personal aesthetic preference and dealing with some conditions tagged as “Cosmetic.” There are numerous procedures and techniques present and introduced in the market. Though many doctors don’t recommend undergoing such surgeries for it poses severe consequences, the public is still riding the trend. Anybody modification procedures have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision solely lies in one’s hands.
