The idea of “toe-besity” is enough to make you giggle. But there are many people out there who are unhappy with the appearance of their toes and opt for surgical procedures to alter them. While “fat” or odd-shaped toes are as much of a source of embarrassment for people as a bulbous nose is, we wonder if getting cosmetic surgery on your toes have repercussions in the long run.
The most common cosmetic surgeries people have on their toes usually involve shortening them so that they are balanced with the rest of the toes—like when the second toe is longer than the big toe, says New York City plastic surgeon Sherrell J. Aston, MD. People are also opting to get liposuction on their “obese” toes, particularly the little one.
Dr. Aston stresses that these types of procedures are really frowned upon by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA). “The potential problems that can occur after that type of surgery involve nerve damage, scarring and chronic pain. Most orthopedists say that it’s not something they’ll do as it’s very high risk surgery.”
New York City podiatric surgeon Dr. Hillary Brenner agrees, saying, “I don’t think it’s ethical unless you’re having pain. You’re undergoing risks—there’s the risk of anesthesia, infection, deformity of the toe if the surgery is not done right, a risk of reoccurrence and the risk of surgery in general. It’s trauma to the foot.”
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