I pretty much gave up wearing high heels after my first knee surgery. The doctors told me that if it hurts (when it comes to my knees or feet) just don't do it.

Bunion correction can sometimes be necessary for one to wear ANY KIND of shoes. My bunions have caused my 2nd toes on both feet to cross over the big toe as it has turned toward the "inside" of both feet.. Wearing any kind of shoe is painful and going without shoes that cover the ugly toes makes other people squeemish when they look at my feet!!! I literally WALK on my big toe with my 2nd toe.. PAINFUL, uncomfortable... and it just gets worse. The bunion itself has never hurt me, but the "knuckle of the 2nd toe on each foot has a huge rubbed place on it from rubbing the top of ANY shoe I attempt to wear and my big toes are becoming "deformed" from being WALKED ON... So ALL foot surgeries aren't for cosmetic purposes, I NEED TO WEAR SHOES.. HELP!!! I need an awesome foot surgeon!!!

No credible Podiatrist with appropriate surgical residency training would perform the cosmetic procedures mentioned in this article. These are fringe doctors who are looking to make a buck at the expense of patients. Bunion surgery is not performed for cosmetic reasons, but rather, for structural and pain reasons; the article does not adequately explain that fact. As far as the woman with the poor outcome, there are multiple reasons from poor surgeon choice to poor procedure choice to non compliance on the part of the patient and everything in between.

Ladies: TAKE THEM OFF! Years ago some imperious boss told his female employees to wear them so he could boast about having the classiest-looking crew-(I made that up)-and somehow it became very lady-like to teeter on spikes all day. Later came the sex industry "look"--ever notice porn actresses wearing them? Anyway, all MEN"S ideas, not yours. Like Muslim women shedding the burqua- (also male idea)-get rid of them!

I don't even own a pair of heels ! I am 5'8" and that is tall enough . When you look at the shape of a womans foot and the shape of high heels , well , it's a wonder any of them can stand up much less walk . And time and nature does take care of it eventually . Someone mentioned Crocs , now there is a shoe you will find medical professionals wearing. I wear them too even though I retired years ago from nursing . My diabetic feet are to be cared for not tortured . Anyone that has surgery for purely cosmetic reasons is a shallow idiot .

I've been wearing heels (high) many years ago - I have worked in large buildings where thousands of steps are taken each day and I have never had a sore foot day in my life. 4" is about the normal heel height for me in both boots and shoes - but I do wear smaller heels from time to time.

Considering what I've read in the past and here, I would have to say I am lucky in one area anyhow...

It's just not your feet that have problems from wearing high heels, but your back, it gets thrown out of alignment

As a bartender for years, I always wore high heels. I never had a problem (they are actually good for arch support if they fit well). The big problem I had was during a period when the "pointy toe" look was in and I ended up with a corn on my toe. It burnt like someone holding a cigarette to it. I had it taken care of and have never, ever bought another pair of pointy toe high heels again. When that is all that is out there, I either do not buy or look until I find a pair with an open toe. At 50, I still get comments on how nice my feet look. I think the pointy toe high heels make the foot look too long and funny looking anyway, so I have never missed them.

I haven't worn high heels in years. I find them uncomfortable and difficult to walk in. Give me a pair of ballet slippers, sneakers, or a comfortable flat, and I can walk all day.

It's insane to have foot surgery to be able to wear high heels. The women who are having the surgery are probably some of the same women who have botox injections. Ladies be happy with yourself the way you are.

Frankenfoot! Yikes, these procedures sound gruesome! Your feet carry you through so much, why torture them with extended high-heel-wearing (occasionally, sure, but all the time?!) and then subject them to these surgeries? Hate to think what will happen to them as they age...

Now that I've finished The Barefoot Book (www.thebarefootbook.com), I intend to campaign for the placement of warning labels on high-heeled shoes. They are truly terrible for your body.