Going Too Far?

Most Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center patients think of breast implants, liposuction, and face lifts when we think of cosmetic surgery, but apparently there are now people having “limb lengthening” cosmetic procedures! I don’t know about you but I find this a bit disturbing. Previously limited to those patients with limb deformities and limb length discrepancy as well as dwarfism, some people are now electing to simply be taller. Earlier this year, a New York man went from 5 foot 6 inches tall to 6 feet tall! A Filipino man who wanted to be Superman had surgery to go from 5 foot 7 inches to 6 foot 3 inches tall!

Cosmetic leg lengthening procedures are gruelingly painful. It includes breaking the legs, and stretching them with an implanted rod that is timed to stretch the tissue slowly over 2 to 3 months. Sounds like the Inquisition, right?  After the tibia and fibula bones of both lower legs are broken and stretched, new bone is slowly grown. Yes, the body knows how to grow around this telescoped rod placed into the legs. Orthopedic surgeons are calling unhappiness with how tall you are “height neurosis” or more commonly “height dysphoria.”  Many orthopedic surgeons simply will not perform the procedure for cosmetic reasons.

All of this takes months and the procedure is extremely painful. The patient him or herself controls the stretching of the legs by turning screws that are connected from the telescoped rod in the bone to a brace around the legs. In fact, a psychological evaluation is required to have this “Ilizarov” method of leg lengthening because it is so painful. Careful pain management and physical therapy are critical to the procedure. You can read about the procedure in detail at a website called Short Person Support.

If you want less painful cosmetic enhancement, as well as a wide variety of non invasive procedures to choose from, come to Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center for a consultation.

Call Melinda to set up an appointment with me at 501-227-0707