Cosmetic Foot Treatments

Rumor Patrol: Plastic Surgery "Trends" for the Feet and Thumbs

By Danielle Briones

Published on January 28, 2008

Considering the popularity of cosmetic surgery along with the controversy that has plagued the field, it comes as no surprise that plastic surgery fabrications have become common in blog posts and entertainment news reports. Interested in finding out which stories are fact and which are fallacies? The DocShop Rumor Patrol team is investigating some of the most common allegations to determine which are true and which are false!

Rumor #1: Liposuction of the Foot

Apparently the battle of the bulge is not limited to common problem areas such as the hips, thighs, abdomen, and love handles. In fact, many Americans have expressed an interest in having fat suctioned from their feet and toes in order to have the dainty feet and svelte toes that can easily slip into a pair of size-seven Christian Louboutin slingbacks. But do plastic surgeons really perform this type of procedure?

Expert Opinion:

La Jolla plastic surgeon Scott Miller, M.D., sat down with the DocShop team to provide his expert opinion on foot liposuction.

"Toe or foot liposuction is just not a viable procedure," Dr Miller says, laughing. "That's just a rumor gone out of control."

Dr. Miller went on to explain why cosmetic liposuction of the feet or toes is not considered safe.

"Liposuction really comes down to the anatomy [of the area]. There's the skin, there's the fat, and the muscle, and the bone. So the question is, where is the fat, how does it bulk, what's the anatomy there, can you get at it without disrupting the nerves?"

Rumor Patrol Verdict: FALSE!

"You can't get at the fat of a normal foot or toe without putting the nerves or muscles at risk," Dr. Miller explains.

So, according to Dr. Miller, foot or toe liposuction won't help you smash your feet into a pair of designer heels. Could cosmetic foot or toe surgery be a better sole-slimming solution?

Rumor #2: Cosmetic Toe or Foot Surgery

Toe and foot surgery has traditionally been used to treat foot conditions that cause pain or inhibit function. But men and women who don't like the appearance of their feet have requested that surgeons perform cosmetic foot surgery so they can have narrower feet, shorten or lengthen toes, and even entirely remove the pinky toe. So what's Dr. Miller's take on these rumors?

Expert Opinion:

"Those procedures are pretty significant and pretty involved," Dr. Miller says. "To do them strictly for cosmetic purposes... the first time there was a complication, it'd be awfully hard to explain."

Rumor Patrol Verdict: FALSE!

"I don't believe that [there are] any practitioners who are going to put patients at the risk that would be involved with toe shortening or removal unless there's a problem. While I think this does happen," Dr. Miller admits, "it's done in response to problems, be they bunions or hammer toe."

Rumor #3: Restylane Injections into the Balls of Your Feet

Entertainment news outlets have reported that some of our favorite female celebrities have had Restylane® and other fillers injected into the balls of their feet for awards shows. Why? So stars can gracefully strut the red carpet in four-inch Jimmy Choo stilettos for hours on end - without grimacing in pain.

Expert Opinion:

Dr. Miller says that cosmetic surgery patients can have Restylane® or other fillers injected into the balls of their feet; however, the treatment shouldn't be performed on a regular basis.

"[Celebrities have] done that generally for pretty independent, specific events. In other words," Dr. Miller explains, "the cost and the procedure is such that you wouldn't do it on an everyday basis. But certainly there are people who, for the bigger awards shows, have done that."

Rumor Patrol Verdict: TRUE!

"People have injected fillers into the balls of feet for comfort," Dr. Miller affirms. "To get through the event and soften the blow."

Rumor #4: Thumb Whittling

In the spring of 2007, the North Denver News reported that a Colorado man had his thumb bones whittled down so he could more easily use his iPhone® and other handheld electronic devices. Bloggers immediately responded to the piece, berating the field of plastic surgery and predicting that the practice was now rising to a new "functional" level. The general public soon realized the Denver publication had posted the story as a satirical piece. But still, we wondered: Would a credible doctor be willing to perform this procedure on a patient?

Expert Opinion:

"You always have to subject any sort of thought or procedure, at least I do as a provider, to logic and a sense of reasonableness. What would be involved in that procedure?" Dr. Miller questions aloud. "Like the toe shortening, what would be involved in that procedure would be techniques that would have the potential for infection, for muscle injury, for nerve injury," Dr. Miller concludes. "You would not do them on a normal extremity."

Rumor Patrol Verdict: FALSE!

According to Dr. Miller, thumb whittling procedures are not in our immediate future.

"I think that we're going to have to let Darwinism and natural selection gradually decrease the length of our thumbs if it proves that's a survival advantage," Dr. Miller jokes.

The Rumor Patrol Wrap-Up

Dr. Scott Miller joined the DocShop Rumor Patrol team in busting three plastic surgery rumors and affirming one.

"The aesthetic procedures that catch on are the procedures that either solve a little problem with a little solution or a big problem with a little solution, or even a big problem with a big solution," Dr. Miller says. "But when you're solving little problems with big solutions, people don't get very excited and trends don't catch on."

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Keyword Tags: odd news, plastic surgery

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Comments

1

"Everything in moderation". Although I am generally an advocate for Cosmetic Surgery, the above queries about surgical aesthetic enhancement of body parts such as the foot or thumb remind me of that above refrain I often heard from my mom as a growing child. I think it's wonderful that science has given us the means to improve a body part or sign of aging that has diminished our self-esteem or feelings of well being. But when a person continually seeks surgical fixes to boost their emotional well-being, I suspect surgery will not satisfy their needs. I truly wish that such people would work on their self-esteem from the inside out through some form of psychological intervention.

Lois W. Stern
Author of SEX, LIES AND COSMETIC SURGERY

Lois W. Stern
about 1 year ago

2

I have a very fat big toe. All my life I have always wanted pretty feet of which I don't have. I have dark spots around my toes and they are fat and not cute at all. Is foot surgery an option for pretty feet, and if so how much are we talking? I also want to know the risk if any?

Lanna
about 1 year ago

3

My feet are very different. On my right foot my 2nd toe is longer than the rest of my other toes...I've always wanted to wear nice scandals, but i can't!!! After 30 plus years, I've never been able to wear cute open toe shoes. Can i get surgery done, on this toe? And if so, how much and what doctor you recommend? PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Not so Pretty Feet
about 1 year ago

4

I have always hated my feet. My big toes are slanted towards the smaller toes and the second and third toes are EXTREMELY longer than the others, even than my big toe! I am very young and would love to wear open-toe shoes without feeling uncomfortable and thinking others laugh at my toes. Is there any cosmetic surgery that could take care of my problem? If so, how expensive can they be? Please advice! Thank you.

Fuggly Feet
about 1 year ago

5

All my damn toes are fat. I haven"t worn sandals since my feet were teenagery 16 years ago. I hate when summer comes because i know i have to hide. Why me? is what i say. Ive never let a man see my feet in my life and i'm so tired of it, tired of closed in shoes and men asking to see my feet. I need surgery now. What to do?

Fugged Up Feet
about 1 year ago

6

Help my wife. She has her 2nd toe is longer than the rest of her other toes...She always wanted to wear nice scandals, but she can't!!! After 30 plus years, She never been able to wear cute open toe shoes. Can she get surgery done, on this toe? And if so, how much and what doctor you recommend? PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Luis
about 1 year ago

7

It might help to get some perspective if you remember that at no time in history has a man ever turned down an otherwise in-shape woman because he thought her toes looked fat, unless he was some sort of foot-fetishist. If you're down to the point that you really think a fat big toe is your major problem keeping you from happiness, either you're deep in denial or you're being severely hypercritical of your own body.

Aaron Poehler
about 1 year ago

8

i have fat heels on my feet and dread the summer I long to wear open sandles is there anything that i can do

gloria
about 1 year ago

9

My right thumb is fat and bigger than my left thumb and my left middle finger is different from right. Can I do surgery done to feel happy in my life. I don't like myselt because of my fingers if I don't like my self how someone else will like me.I want to have pretty fingers like other people. If I have my fingers fix, I will be happy in my life. Please someone advise.

Jean
about 1 year ago

10

HI..WHY HAVENT ANYONE RESPONDED TO ANY OF OUR REQUESTS...I WANT A FOOT/TOE DOCTOR TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ME...ASAP...PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!
P.S. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ANY PLEASE POST ON THE COMMENTS...THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!

Not so Pretty Feet
about 1 year ago

11

Generally speaking, you're the one who has to get in touch with a doctor, not vice-versa, and this site does allow you to find a doctor in your area.

Aaron Poehler
about 1 year ago

12

i have a shorter second toe that was slightly amputated in an accident..there is a bit of nail on the end but the toe is shorter and the nail looks wrong..i have trouble showing offf my feet..can i have surgery to fix it?? any ideas?? please help..thanks..

James
about 1 year ago

13

As a foot surgeon I can say that cosmetic foot surgery does exist.
The following two practices are well known in Manhattan for dealing with most of the complaints listed above:

NYC Footcare - Oliver Zong
nycfootcare.com
80 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
212-385-2400

Institute Beauté - Dr. Suzanne Levine
institutebeaute.com
885 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021
212-535-0229

Dr. Shibu Kinatukara
about 1 year ago

14

I would like to find a doctor that would perform cosmetic foot surgery in the las vegas area. Is there such a thing?

sarah
about 1 year ago

15

The side of my big toe is really big, I was wondering if theres a surgery to get that side of the toe like shaved down or something.

shelby
about 1 year ago

16

To Shelby,
The appropriateness of a surgical procedure to correct your condition would depend on what is causing the side of your great toe to appear "big". You really need to see a surgeon so that your doctor can determine if your toe looks "big" due to of an enlargement of the bone, a soft tissue mass, or any one of a number of other conditions.

Dr. Shibu Kinatukara
about 1 year ago

17

I have really fat/wide feet and it's so hard for me to find shoes that my feet are not spilling out of. What can I do? Please help

Jay
about 1 year ago

18

i have two really small toes. they tend to hurt. is it possible to lengthen them. and my arch is extremely painful. can you have surgery to fix both problems. I need advice please. im very young and very self cautious. i want to get this fixed asap. please let me know.

bad foot
12 months ago

19

i have never like my toes and would like to get my second toe cut down a little for a better appearance. i do not care about the cost all i want is to have better looking toes so i can wear open toe shoes. so please contact me with any information u may have on any dr. in the houston area. thanks

ugly toes
12 months ago

20

Hi I always have an issue with one of my thumbs on my hand, one is fatter and different then the other one and I was wandering if is possible to shape the fat thumb to look nice and skinny like the other one?
If is possible please let me know Im really eager to do something about it. And how it works and cost? Thank you

Glenda A.
11 months ago

21

Could you please find a great foot doctor in the Fayetteville or Raleigh area....PLEASE HELP.

Eagerto waer scandles
11 months ago

22

I have been having a difficult time finding a podiatric specialist surgeon doctor that excepts my insurance. what do I do? Do you have some type of payment plan or application we could apply for to see if we can make monthly payments thats affordable. Thanks.

hurting feet
9 months ago

23

I have very ugly feet, since i can remember. i have hammer toes,corn and both of my 2nd toes are longer than the rest of them. i suffer when the summer comes, i have to find shoes that aren't open toe and i can't go swimming because i'm very scared people will laugh at me. i tried several foot doctors but that didn't help at all. Can someone help me out!with a doctor in the Lehigh Valley area with pymt plans..

Shana
9 months ago

24

I'm a girl. Girls are suppose to wear high heels or at least sandals for gods sake. Ever since middle school I've felt so insecure about my feet where I'd never show them around anyone except my family. No man has ever seen them and they are constantly hidden with socks when around friends. I get extremely nervous when attending house parties or get togethers in fear that I might have to take off a nice pair of heels to expose hideous feet. There are days where I literally cry because it is that bad. I'm a petite girl with hideous feet and I know for a fact it is genetics because my father AND mother had big hideous feet. Someone please help me. I need to know if there are any trustworthy foot surgeons out there that can correct my feet. This is the only thing that I dread in life. Please answer me as soon as you can about any doctors in the los angeles area. I would also appreciate an estimation of costs. I know that this will definitely boost my confidence and make me a happier person overall.

sad girl
8 months ago

25

My second last toe is very small it does not look nice .
so i want to know that can i inlarge my toe.
i am 16 years old. i also want to know about the cost & a docter who is present in India.

sana
6 months ago

26

Hi I have had bunions and up turned big toe nails. Is there a surgery that would correct up turned nails on big toe? My feet are ugly and fat and I hate them! I inherited them from my father who inherited them from his mother yuk!! I can't even walk barefoot or go swimming or wear pretty sandals..I've never in my life had a pedicure due to embarrassment! I am 45 and need to fix feet already!!

Cristie
5 months ago

27

i have corns on both of my feet, which causes pain when i wear shoes even if they are not tight. I would like to be able to appreciate my feet more and also be comfortable walking. I also have a low arch in my foot wich is very unattractive. Is there a doctor that could help me with my situation? And about how much would it cost? PLEASE let me know!!

Ashley
4 months ago

28

I recently had my right pinky toe amputated during an incident. I have always had decent looking feet until now and I bother just by looking at it. Can I get reconstructive surgery for my pinky toe? Is there such a thing? I appreciate your response.

DENISE
3 months ago

29

Many yrs ago I had a hammer toe surgery on the toe next to my big toe, the dr took a bone out making the toe shorter and then it got infected and it's swollen at the end of the toe. I believe the big toe had a small bunion and then became more deformed because the toe where the bone was removed could not support it. Do you think there is hope for my short swollen toe? I would love to free my feet. locked up

fangpeople@yahoo.com
about 1 month ago

30

i have a case of brachymetatarsia, Yes look it up. its only on one of my feet, (the fourth toe) i live in sydney australia, im only in my teens and just discovered its an actual condition. I have researched on the internet and there are procedures i can take but none i am aware of in australia? Please help its so embarrassing its more then a physical barrier, so much goes on in your head. My big toes are prettty damn ugly aswell. and i have toe thumbs to and big hands altogether. haha pretty unblessed when it comes to toes and fingers

natalie
about 1 month ago

31

my toes are too small you barely can see them
are there ways to lengthen the whole lot of toes???? because of this the length of my feet are suitable for size 7 shoes but the width are suitable for size 9.
any help possible????

T Samson
15 days ago

32

I had recent surgery where it looks like my toes lost soem fat- so some are too thin compared to the others. Can I have lipo put into some toes?

Gail
12 days ago

33

I would like to have Restylane or filler of any sort just to wear a three inch Heels..I heard it really works..tired of wearing flats,tenny shoes,and flip flops.please help me and is it true?

foxxyDiva
11 days ago

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