Cosmetic Foot Surgery by Our Expert Surgeons
The footlift, also known as a “loub job”, is a form of cosmetic foot surgery that involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the plantar fat pads. This technique aims to restore comfort, cushioning and harmony to the foot, particularly in patients whose feet are heavily stressed by the frequent wearing of high-heeled shoes.
The loub job is a simple, quick and minimally invasive procedure, with results visible rapidly. In addition to providing a discreet aesthetic benefit, it delivers lasting relief to the foot and makes wearing heels more comfortable on a daily basis.
This procedure, mastered by the International Elite Care surgeons, is designed for patients seeking an elegant, effective and modern solution for foot care.
Types of Cosmetic Foot Surgery: When Is a Footlift Recommended?
Among the various types of cosmetic foot surgery available, the footlift is recommended for patients experiencing pain, functional discomfort or aesthetic concerns at the forefoot, particularly when these problems are linked to repeated pressure or excessive loading.
Pain and Functional Problems
The footlift primarily benefits women who experience forefoot pain when wearing high heels.
Over time, the natural fat pad beneath the foot can thin. This atrophy leads to a loss of the foot’s natural cushioning. The bone becomes more exposed, which can cause pain when walking, everyday discomfort and difficulty wearing certain types of footwear (stilettos, thin-soled sandals, rigid-soled shoes, etc.).
By restoring the volume of the plantar fat pads, the footlift rebalances weight-bearing, reduces mechanical stresses and markedly improves functional comfort.
Aesthetic Concerns: Plastic Surgery of the Foot for Skin Lesions
As a form of plastic surgery of the foot, the footlift is also recommended for patients troubled by certain skin manifestations linked to pressure zones, such as:
- corns,
- calluses,
- interdigital corns (“eyes of the partridge”).
These skin thickenings, often found on the forefoot, result from friction and excessive pressure. By increasing the volume and suppleness of the plantar fat pads, the procedure reduces pressure on sensitive areas, delivering a visible improvement in the appearance of the foot alongside greater comfort.
The footlift is a solution suited to patients seeking both lasting relief and an aesthetic improvement, with a safe, physiology-respectful approach.
How a Footlifting Session Works
Footlifting is a straightforward, quick and well-controlled procedure, carried out during a specialist consultation. It fits easily into the patient’s daily routine and requires neither hospitalisation nor general anaesthesia.
Preparation
The session begins with a medical discussion to identify precisely the sensitive or painful areas of the forefoot. This personalised analysis ensures targeted treatment, adapted to the morphology of the foot and the patient’s expectations.
The Session
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. The feet specialist first applies an anaesthetic cream or ointment to ensure optimal comfort during the injection.
Hyaluronic acid is then injected into the plantar fat pads, at the painful or pressure-exposed zones. The hyaluronic acid used is most commonly a volumising product, sometimes combined with a local anaesthetic to limit any discomfort during injection.
The entire procedure is quick, with an average duration of 10 to 30 minutes.
After the Session
Once the injection is complete, the patient can stand and walk immediately. A return to normal activity is generally possible the same day, with simple recommendations to preserve foot comfort in the hours that follow.
Hyaluronic Acid in the Foot: How It Works and Its Advantages
Injecting hyaluronic acid into the foot is a medical technique specifically adapted to plantar tissue. The acid is introduced at the forefoot, most commonly into the plantar fat pads.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally present in the human body. In aesthetic and functional medicine, it is used for its volume, cushioning and flexibility properties.
When injected into the foot, it acts as a protective cushion capable of absorbing the pressures generated by walking or wearing shoes, particularly heels.
Good to Know
The hyaluronic acid used for a footlift is not the same as that used for the face. It is a denser, more resilient product, designed to withstand the significant mechanical stresses exerted on the sole of the foot.
The goal is twofold: to restore functional comfort by reducing plantar pain, and to improve the appearance of the foot by diminishing the pressure zones responsible for corns or calluses.
This effective, reversible and minimally invasive approach is particularly suited to patients wishing to improve their quality of life without undergoing major surgery.
Footlifts vs Lipofilling: What Is the Difference?
Footlifts and foot lipofilling share a common aim: to improve forefoot comfort by restoring the natural cushioning of the plantar fat pads. They differ, however, in the technique employed.
A footlift (loub job) uses hyaluronic acid injections into the plantar fat pads.
Foot lipofilling involves harvesting fat from the patient (usually from the abdomen or thighs) and re-injecting it into the plantar areas after preparation.
This technique uses a natural, biocompatible tissue and may offer durable results in certain indications. In return, it is more technically demanding, requires a harvesting step and is a slightly more invasive procedure.
At International Elite Care, a specialist consultation, sometimes conducted remotely, determines the most appropriate solution for your situation. The aim is to guide you towards the treatment offering the best balance of comfort, peace of mind and expected outcome.
Before and After Cosmetic Foot Surgery: Results and Recovery
Understanding what to expect before and after cosmetic foot surgery helps patients to plan with confidence. Immediately after injection, the patient can stand and walk without assistance.
A few recommendations are needed to optimise comfort and the quality of the result:
- Avoid wearing high heels for 3 to 4 days,
- Resume sporting activities after approximately 5 days,
- Avoid humid environments (swimming pools, spas, saunas) for a few days.
In the days following the procedure, the patient may experience:
- slight transient discomfort,
- localised redness,
- moderate swelling over the injected areas.
These effects are normal and resolve spontaneously. The final result is generally visible after around 5 days.
Benefits of a Footlift
The footlift offers both functional and aesthetic benefits, with a rapid and lasting effect:
- Pain relief,
- Aesthetic improvement,
- A non-surgical procedure,
- Quick results and short recovery.
This approach, mastered by the International Elite Care surgeons, forms part of a modern and reassuring pathway suited to the needs of discerning international patients.
How Much Is Cosmetic Foot Surgery?
When considering how much cosmetic foot surgery costs, it is important to understand that the price varies according to several medical and technical factors. There is therefore no single, standard fee, as every treatment plan is fully personalised. The cost depends on:
- the number of zones to be treated on the forefoot,
- the quantity and type of hyaluronic acid used,
- the complexity of the procedure based on foot anatomy,
- the expertise of the surgeon performing the procedure.
As a cosmetic and functional procedure, a footlift is generally not covered by insurance or reimbursement schemes, except where a specific medical indication applies.
At International Elite Care, a preliminary consultation, in person or via video call, allows a precise assessment of your needs and provides:
- a clear, justified indication,
- a bespoke treatment plan,
- a fully transparent quotation.
Your Foot Cosmetic Surgery and Footlift Questions Answered
Can you get cosmetic foot surgery?
Absolutely, the footlift is a well-established, minimally invasive procedure that addresses both aesthetic and functional concerns of the forefoot. It is suitable for carefully selected patients following a specialist medical assessment.
Is the footlift painful?
The procedure is generally very well tolerated. It is performed under local anaesthesia to ensure optimal comfort during injection. Afterwards, mild discomfort may be felt for a few days, but this is temporary and compatible with a swift return to daily life. The vast majority of patients describe rapid improvement, sometimes within the first few hours.
How long do the results last?
The duration depends on the product used, foot morphology and lifestyle, particularly the frequency of wearing high heels. In practice, the effects are long-lasting and can be maintained for several months. Regular review with the surgeon allows a maintenance session to be considered if needed.
Can you get foot plastic surgery, and what options are available?
Yes. Foot plastic surgery encompasses a range of procedures, from hyaluronic acid injection (footlift) to fat grafting (lipofilling). A specialist consultation determines which approach best suits your anatomy and goals. For patients wondering whether plastic foot surgery is right for them, the first step is always a personalised assessment.
Can I travel or return to work quickly after the procedure?
Absolutely. The footlift fits seamlessly into a busy schedule or a short medical stay. Walking is possible immediately and most patients return to work the same day or the next. For international patients, International Elite Care organises the care pathway smoothly to minimise logistical constraints.
Is the footlift suitable for everyone?
The footlift is intended for carefully selected patients following specialist medical advice. A preliminary consultation, sometimes conducted remotely, evaluates the indications, rules out contraindications and proposes a personalised treatment plan. This step is essential to ensure a safe, natural result that meets the patient’s expectations.
Why choose International Elite Care for a footlift?
International Elite Care supports international patients at every stage, from the first point of contact through to post-procedure follow-up. The team directs you to the most qualified and available surgeon, coordinates the medical and practical aspects, and ensures a smooth, reassuring and premium care experience. You benefit from a structured, clear and secure framework to move forward with confidence.
Surgeon performing the procedure
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