We have all spent time preparing our feet for the summer sandal months but some women are taking the foot prepping sessions to the next level. The growing trend of cosmetic surgery has taken a surprising turn, this time to tackle the problem of fat toes or, how the cosmetic surgery world has dubbed it, ‘toe-besity’.
The condition can be treated with an operation known as a “foot facelift” which can shorten toes, suck out fat or straighten out any lumps or bumps or misshapen toes.
The procedure has been popular in the US for some time, with clinics there reporting a booming trade. One US clinic confirmed hosting 1,000 operations last year.
But this morning, The Irish Sun reports the surgery becoming popular on this side of the Atlantic too.
UK Image Enhancement Consultant Wendy Lewis said she has seen fat taken out of women’s toes via liposuction, fillers being put into heels for better cushioning, laser hair removal for hairy toes and the second toe being shortened by surgery.
Clare, 28, who works in the fashion industry told The Irish Sun she recently spent €5,000 on toe liposuction and toes straightening at a private clinic.
“It sounds like a lot of money but to me it was worth it,” she said. “I had never dared to wear open sandals before, or even painted my toenails because I was so ashamed of my plump toes….People may think that your feet don’t really matter but they actually made me feel really depressed.”
Another woman, Jessica, 24, had a full “foot facelift” on her right foot last year and is returning to get the same done to her left foot later this month. The schoolteacher spent €2,500 on the operation and said she was delighted with it.
“For the first time I have toes that I am proud of,” she said. “The operation took between three and four hours and afterwards I was bed-ridden for two weeks, with my feet kept in the air. Everyone wants pretty, dainty feet and I am so looking forward to showing mine off.”
