Originally developed in the 50s by a Soviet orthopedic surgeon named Gavriil Ilizarov, the surgical leg lengthening procedure has come a long way in recent years. Today it is embraced by an ever-increasing number of people who want to be taller and look more beautiful. I had no idea that leg lengthening had already become a booming business, but it happened before me the interview with a surgeon who practices this procedure, doctor Kevin Debiparshad.
And I discovered that in the USA hundreds of men undergo this torment every year (paying from 75.000 to 150.000 dollars for an operation). Over the last 20 years this practice, especially for men, increased by 29%. Here's everything you need to know about the surprisingly mainstream rise of this operation which to me is absurd.
What is cosmetic leg lengthening?
Aesthetic leg lengthening is a procedure surgery which involves breaking the leg bones and gradually moving them apart thanks to a device called the Ilizarov frame. This progressive operation allows new bone to grow in the space between. The process can add several inches to a person's height and is typically done in two or three stages, each taking about six weeks to complete.
Are there any contraindications? Let me first tell you which ones aren't there. According to theUniversity of Florida this operation it is fully successful in only 4 out of ten cases. As with any surgery, leg lengthening also carries risks. The most common complications include infections, nerve damage, and failure of the bones to heal. With one substantial difference: if it happens to our legs, it can affect a lot of things.
Why do people undergo surgery?
There are many reasons why people choose aesthetic leg lengthening, but the most common is simple: they want to look their best. In our appearance-obsessed culture, appearing taller and more attractive by adhering to a “standard” can provide an important confidence boost. While there are other ways to achieve a similar effect (how about wearing heels?), more and more people want a “permanent” solution like this.
Doctors, financiers, actors, CEOs. An anchorman. Silicon Valley engineers (mostly Microsoft): Dr. Debiparshad traces the profile of his patients and I can't place them in any particular stereotype of discomfort.
However, all patients seem to have a common characteristic: lengthening their legs makes them feel like a fuller version of themselves. “Many patients see it as an investment in themselves, and not necessarily to attract partners,” says Dr. D. “Height is such an important part, I think, of who you are and how you perceive the world and how the world perceives you. Being able to change that has a big impact."
I can't understand what it feels like to want to do this, I don't want to judge. However, from my point of view, $75.000 or $150.000 is a lot for a risky “cosmetic”.
