Short Men Seek Surgical Stretching

Bone-breaking procedure gaining takers, at $100K a pop
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted May 31, 2008 10:25 AM CDT
Short Men Seek Surgical Stretching
Many men who are shorter than the average feel that their height is holding them back and keeping them from getting on top in a tall man's world.   ((c) laffy4k)

Short, and even not-so-short men who feel their height is holding them back in life are turning to surgery in growing numbers, Details reports. Clinics abroad offer cosmetic limb lengthening that can add a few inches of height, but the bill can top $100,000 and the procedure, which involves breaking and stretching the bones, leaves the patient crippled for months.

Experiences of the surgery vary. Some men end up flying home bankrupt, limping, and no taller than they were before, while others come back and delight in having gained an extra few inches. “I’m not bitter anymore,” said one man who turned to surgery to stretch his 5"6 frame. “I’ll be a better father and husband and son. I just want to be the best person I can be." (More surgeon stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X