Back in August, we had a look at leg lengthening surgery and the pioneering work done by Dr Kevin Debiparshad in Las Vegas. This article attracted an enormous amount of interest and our site help-bot was rushed off his feet. This is obviously a topic that fascinates people and also seems to have a huge demand even though you are looking £50k + to add a few inches to your height.
We are pleased to tell you that if you are based in Europe there is no need to make a complicated flight to Vegas with all the travel restrictions today. The UK has its very own leg lengthening specialist by the name of Mr Matija Krkovic
Mr Krkovic Matija Krkovic is a senior Consultant Orthopaedic and Trauma surgeon working at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. And as part of his work in trauma and orthopaedics, he has built a niche in the limb lengthening sector. He has very helpfully written a FAQ which may or may not put your mind at rest as you aspire to greater heights. Being taller can certainly help in life. Time was when you needed to be 6′ tall to be a London policeman, but that requirement has long since vanished. But in areas like the wine and spirits trade, height has inbuilt advantages in being visible in a crowded bar when you are trying to attract the attention of the bar manager. Maybe anecdotal but it makes sense to me.
I can well imagine that being taller could help enormously in the dating stakes. You might be dark and handsome but at 5'5″ you could be overlooked. I am sure that there are radical Incels who will hook onto height like a dog to a rabbit, and insist that their lack of height is the only reason women won't sleep with them. Arguing that height privilege is only given to the detested Chads.
So let us look at Dr Krkovic's FAQ and see if it covers crucial issues.
Is leg lengthening surgery safe?
Dr Krkovic says: In my experience, limb lengthening surgery is a safe procedure with a very low risk of complications. The main risk we find in limb lengthening surgery is that there is no growth of new bone at the site where the bone was broken. This then means we have to return the bones to their original positions and retry the lengthening procedure.
This would worry me a bit if I went through the painful process of having my bones broken and reset and then discovered that the new bone had not grown as intended and it would have to be done again. I can only imagine the frustration of an unfortunate patient. I suffered similar annoyance when a larger and complex tooth implant did not bind with my jaw and it all needed removing and redoing. These things happen rarely but I guess they do happen or Dr Krkovic wouldn't have pointed it out.
How painful is leg lengthening surgery?
Dr Krkovic says: Insertion of the nails and surgical breaks of the bones is painful but not as much as when the leg is broken in an accident. You will require painkillers post-surgery and during the lengthening certainly. Our experience is that the requirement for pain relief in limb lengthening surgery is moderate compared to other procedures in limb reconstruction surgery.
Fair enough, breaking bones is always going to hurt and I am sure that when it is broken in a controlled manner the pain will be less. Also having painkillers instantly on hand and in good quantities would make the broken bone aspect less traumatic.
How much does leg lengthening surgery cost?
Dr Krkovic says: Limb lengthening surgery can be done either as a lengthening of one bone on both legs (thigh or shin bone) or both bones on both legs. The cost for lengthening of both thigh bones is in the region of £50,000 and for both shin bones £55,000. Price may vary from the type of implants used (magnetic nails versus fine wireframes) and your medical history (i.e. pre-existing medical conditions which could make the procedure more difficult).
Ok, so that is the key question answered. How much will it cost? £50k is no small amount. You can have a wardrobe full of build-up shoes handmade in Mexico for £5k. But seriously, if you feel challenged by your height and it causes you stress and disappointment then it has to be worth it. It is good to know that you don't have to travel to Las Vegas to get this leg lengthening done and do give us feedback if you have the operation.
Admin is Blogger David Miller FRSA. M.Sc A respected British journalist based in Helsinki Finland. David's portfolio is at http://livewire.pressfolios.com/ David is contactable via the site or at david@dmiller.co.uk
