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Leg-lengthening surgeries become a norm in big tech engineers

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Limb lengthening surgeries are a curious and complicated procedure that uses the body's own capacity to regenerate new bone ligaments blood vessels soft tissues and nerves to support and surround the new structure

Limb lengthening surgeries are a curious and complicated procedure that uses the body’s own capacity to regenerate new bone, ligaments, blood vessels, soft tissues and nerves to support and surround the new structure.

Photo: iStock

New Delhi: The tall, dark and handsome conundrum appeals to many but there are some aspects that are irreversible after a certain age, at least naturally irreversible. But with the evolving healthcare scenario, becoming taller or darker is no longer an impossible or impractical dream. Surprised? Yes, a leg-lengthening surgery, which is now becoming a fad among Silicon Valley engineers from big tech like Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft, is helping people become a lot taller. This comes from a US-based cosmetic surgeon, who specializes in leg lengthening – according to a GQ report, the expert said that employees of big tech are spending thousands of dollars to become taller.
The leg lengthening surgery, as the name suggests, can help make one become taller – however, the process is painful and lasts for up to a month-long. Depending on how tall the patient wants to grow – 3-6 inches – the procedure can cost from $70,000 to $150,000.

What are limb lengthening surgeries?

Limb lengthening surgeries are a curious and complicated procedure that uses the body’s own capacity to regenerate new bone, ligaments, blood vessels, soft tissues and nerves to support and surround the new structure.

To know more about how it works and the risks involved, Times Now Digital connected with Dr Mohit Kukreja, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Expert at Wockhardt Hospitals, and the expert shared insights on the evolution of the procedure and the risks that come with it .

“Limb lengthening surgery begins with an operation called an osteotomy, which involves cutting the bone and then distracting the cut edges, a process called ‘distraction osteogenesis’. We try to achieve 1 mm per day by distracting it 1/4th of an inch 4 times every day. The body continues to deposit new bone as the cut edges move away from each other until the desired height is achieved,” he said.

“The process is achieved by an external fixator or internal lengthening nail. The internal nail which telescopes to achieve length with a remote control by the patient has gained recent popularity. More common indications are congenital leg length inequality, growth plate damage in childhood, non-union or malunion after a fracture,” Dr Kukreja added.

What are the risks of leg lengthening surgery?

Dr Kukreja went on to say that this procedure gained a lot of popularity in recent times for adding extra few inches to people’s height. However, it does not come without its risks. The surgery is a life-altering procedure if not a life-threatening one and like any other cosmetic procedure, is driven by aspirations and worth the risk for many. Well-documented complications include:

  1. Long-term damage of nerves
  2. Joint stiffness
  3. Chronic pain
  4. Pulmonary embolism

A word of caution

“Although compared to other cosmetic procedures like facelift, rhinoplasty and breast augmentation, I would add a word of caution since the element of risk is not in the same dimension and somewhat higher. It’s indeed heart-renting to know if anyone is made to feel low because of their height and feels aspired to voluntarily pay an Orthopod for breaking their bones just to get that extra dose of confidence and feeling of completeness,” says Dr Kukreja.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness program or making any changes to your diet.

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