In the recent romance Materialists, Pedro Pascal’s character is revealed to have undergone a $200k leg-lengthening surgery to become taller.
This is a real surgery. And while it’s certainly just one of many cosmetic procedures people can buy, it sounds pretty harrowing and requires months of recovery.
How it works
Doctors break both legs and insert lengthening devices into the femur or shin bones. This can be done internally or externally, in which case metal rods are visible outside the body.
Doctors may perform the surgery on patients whose limbs are different lengths due to a deformity or injury, but cosmetic clinics cater to those who simply wish to be a different height.
The Guardian spoke to patient "Frank," who, unhappy with his original 5’ 6” height, went to Istanbul’s Wanna Be Taller clinic and chose the cheaper external braces. He had to turn a key that forced the rods apart, allowing new bone to grow into the gap. Five times per day achieved one quarter centimeter.
Obviously…
… this is not an easy surgery. It’s painful, and requires months of meticulous aftercare.
Patients must undergo physiotherapy and relearn to walk. They have to massage their muscles and tendons as they stretch. If the surgery doesn't heal properly, patients may never walk again. One Walla Be Taller patient died from a blood clot 16 days post-surgery.
Frank’s sum, including recovery, was ~$32k — significantly cheaper than what other clinics in other countries charge. Vice found that the surgery typically costs between $80k and $250k. All that, for 2-3 inches.
Why?
Patients, especially men, say being short comes with a stigma. They feel diminished by taller men and overlooked in work and especially in love.
Dating apps, including Hinge and Bumble, allow users to filter out potential matches who don’t meet their height preferences. It’s become a common joke that men frequently exaggerate their height to score dates with women who might dismiss them for being too short.
Experts believe that women’s preference for taller men is evolutionary, but not equal across cultures and certainly not an issue in modern society. Height is also typically not an issue outside of heterosexual relationships.
Far be it from us to try to fix this in a single newsletter, but, uh… short kings, we think you’re great just the way you are. And not just because thinking about having our legs snapped in half makes us cringe.
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