NEW YORK, May 20, 2005
Foot Cosmetic Surgery Catching On
Gaining Foothold Among Women Trying To Look Better In Shoes
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Play CBS Video Video Foot Surgery For Fashion CBS News' Susan McGinnis explains the new cosmetic trend that's taking over: getting work on their feet to correct everything from bunions to hammertoes, and more.
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Podiatric surgeon Dr. Suzaenne Levine, with a patient (CBS/The Early Show)
"The surgery," explains Mogul, "revolves around creating a toe that is straighter, somewhat shorter, and a bit stiffer."
Maisano's hammertoes did cause her some pain, or they might have been out of bounds for Mogul, who says he's against performing foot surgery for purely cosmetic reasons.
Other procedures doctors say patients are requesting include having toes lengthened, feet narrowed, foot and toe liposuction, and fat added to feet. Some are even said to be asking to have pinky toes removed, all in the name of fashion.
But, continues McGinnis, not all doctors agree that cosmetic foot surgery is a good step.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says it sees too many patients suffer the consequences of botched procedures.
Baltimore's Dr. Stuart Miller, who's with the AAOS, says a large part of his practice is fixing other surgeon's mistakes: "The complications can be devastating. Some women have had to go through five or six surgeries just to get back to walking on their foot, much less getting into their shoes."
Try telling that to Maisano, who's busy building a new wardrobe of shoes around her new, prettier feet.
"I'm going
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