FAQ About Limb Lengthening Surgery

Among the many ortopedics surgeon in Turkey that does limb lengthening surgery, it is extremely important to have the surgery with an expert. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yunus Öç has a 15 years of limb lengthening surgery experience.

The most common exercises to become taller are stretching exercises. If you want to make good progress, you should stretch your legs, torso, and pretty much your whole body every day. However, there are more exercises than just stretching that are useful for our purposes such as swimming, sprinting, and biking. Make sure you have a healthy diet that provides your body with all kinds of nutrients. Your body will need it to stay healthy while going through the process. If you cannot get taller naturally, then limb lengthening surgery can be considered a permanent option as well.

Limb lengthening is a sophisticated surgical procedure that involves the insertion of either internal or external fixation devices & rods within the limbs. These devices are meticulously adjusted at regular intervals to facilitate gradual bone elongation. This technique, while highly effective, necessitates a considerable period of recovery and rehabilitation. The process allows for an incremental height increase of approximately 1 millimeter per day, equating to an expansion of nearly one inch per month. This controlled and steady bone growth ensures the procedure's effectiveness while maintaining the integrity and health of the limb.

Height is determined by a variety of factors, including genetics, sex, certain medical conditions, nutrition, and exercise. It is a matter of record by everyone. The good news is that growing 2 to 6 inches is possible after the age of 18 if your growth plates are still active. With the great efforts you show, you can achieve your desired height gain. The bad news is that after puberty finishes, you won’t be able to grow much taller. In this case, doing things above will be like flogging a dead horse. Here comes the last question: How can I grow taller if it is not possible to do it naturally? The way to achieve the desired height is through having limb lengthening surgery. Apart from this, there is nothing that can give long-lasting results considering the closed growth plates. Before diving into having such surgery, make sure to do some research in order to comprehend the whole process.

You can gain up to 3 inches with a single bilateral limb lengthening surgery, Or be exact:
Femurs (Thighs): 6 - 8 cms
Tibias (Calfs) : 5 - 7 cms

However, you may even opt to have two separate limb-lengthening surgeries with a gap of 6/12 months, and gain up to 6 inches or 12 - 15 cm.

Our affiliated doctor can practice limb lengthening surgery with 2 advanced methods (LON and Precice 2), each varying in costs, post-surgery recovery time, and patient comfort.

Please note that the height gains are similar with all methods. The reason is that the height gain is dependent on the flexibility of the patient's leg muscles and nerves.

Anything more than 8 cm on the femurs and 7 cm on the Tibias, increases the risk of muscular or nerve damage.

Cosmetic limb lengthening is a procedure in which major bones of the legs (either femur or tibia) are surgically cut. Then if a patient chooses a fully external surgery method (e.g. Iilizarov or Holyfix), metal fixators are attached to the legs. However, if a fully internal surgery method (e.g. Precice 2 or Stryde) is preferred, only motorized intramedullary nails are inserted in a bone canal. There is LON as well which is both external and internal, and the procedures above are performed at the same time. With the help of these devices, the growth of the bones is achieved daily, which is 1 mm.

There are currently two surgery methods offered at Wannabetaller, and their prices vary accordingly.

• LON (Combined Method) – 22,850$
• Precice 2 – 48,500$
• Precice Stryde – Not Available

After deciding to have a lengthening surgery, you should be very careful about your choice of doctor and method. You can make the right decision for yourself by examining the doctor, patient’ diaries and method information in detail. You can  contact us by clicking “Contact us” section for detailed information.

In the process of limb lengthening, it's common to observe a minor reduction in the expected extension amount, typically up to 5 millimeters, primarily due to the natural compression forces acting on the bone. However, these reductions are usually not substantial enough to affect the overall outcome significantly. Given this, it is crucial to minimize the load on the legs until thorough bone consolidation is achieved. This caution is vital to ensure that the newly lengthened bone segments have adequate time to strengthen and heal properly. In addition to all of these, if problems such as osteoporosis occur in older ages, there is a chance that their bones may shorten.

Lengthening surgery is restricted for people who smoke. Starting smoking after the procedure negatively affects the healing and delays it. Likewise, alcohol has bad effects in this process, as well; and these indulgences should be restricted until recovery is complete.

With lengthening surgery, the bone is surgically cut in a controlled manner and it is expected to elongate from day to day and form new bone. Also, the muscles must adapt to new bone development. Therefore, it is useful to prefer foods that feed muscles and bones. Attention should be paid to daily water consumption. Healthy planning with fruit and vegetable-based foods helps in recovery. It is also important to get enough protein.

Pre-Op Diet – Nutritional measures can be taken as a precaution for constipation that may occur due to inactivity. Calcium, B12, Vitamin D, and collagen supplements are generally recommended after the procedure, as they positively help in new bone growth and they can be taken during the entire recovery period.

Post-Op Diet – During this process, taking care of healthy eating speeds up recovery. It is helpful to note that enough minerals, vitamins, and proteins are taken while creating the nutrition plan; as it is important to consume healthy foods that will speed up the healing process.

Once a patient’s growth plates have sealed (this usually happens at the age of 16-18), the bones cannot grow anymore (it is biologically impossible), and the only way to grow taller is height increase surgery.

Post-operation period is significant in terms of having a smooth process and recovery. After undergoing cosmetic limb lengthening surgery, patients should diligently follow their surgeon's post-operative instructions, including pain medication management, limb elevation for swelling reduction, wound care, and infection monitoring. Weight-bearing should be initiated gradually as directed, and physical therapy/exercises should be followed to regain limb function. Adequate nutrition and supplementation, if recommended, are essential. Regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are crucial for monitoring progress, and patients should maintain patience and realistic expectations throughout the healing process, which can take several months or longer to achieve the desired results.

We do not offer discounts on various occasions and special days. We provide discounts on surgical fees exclusively in exchange for advertising collaboration. For detailed info about discount possibility, please Contact Us: +90 531 988 30 90, support@wannabetaller.com.

Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery and the following distraction process is and must be done within safe and acceptable limits. These maximum limits are 7–8 cm for the femur and 6–7 cm for the tibia. If a patient doesn’t have already too thin and/or unusually long legs, then this amount of leg length increase is not likely to cause body disproportion. Up to now, none of our limb lengthening patients have had a complaint in this regard. Besides, our affiliated doctor uses X-rays to measure your bone segments and calculates the ratio between your femur and tibia (thigh and shin bones). This ratio helps assess your current body proportions. Based on these calculations, the doctor provides an estimate of how much height increase can be achieved through cosmetic limb lengthening surgery. They then advise you on the recommended height increase you can aim for with the surgery to achieve better overall body proportions.

Pain is a very individual thing in limb lengthening, but most patients have the most pain in the first week or so after the effect of anesthesia goes away. The process of limb lengthening itself involves gradually stretching the bones and soft tissues, which can cause pain. Physical therapy is essential for maintaining joint mobility and muscle flexibility during this process. Effective pain management strategies, as guided by healthcare professionals, are crucial for a more comfortable experience. However, individual pain tolerance and the specifics of the limb lengthening procedure greatly influence the overall pain level experienced.

After bones have consolidated and become strong enough, and the muscles have been adjusted and strengthened sufficiently by physiotherapy and exercises, it is possible to do any kind of sports, including football, heavy weight lifting, martial arts, and so on. It might take 1 - 2 years after the main surgery to do those with the doctor's approval.

Limb reduction surgery, applicable to both arms (involving the humerus) and legs (involving the femurs or tibias), entails an osteotomy procedure. This involves surgically cutting the targeted bone, removing a segment of it, and then rejoining the remaining ends. The reconnection is secured internally using an intramedullary nail and interlocking screws. This internal approach means there are no visible signs on the exterior of the limb.

*How much height reduction can you expect from each segment?:*

Thighs (Femurs): 5 - 5,5 cm (1,96 - 2,16 inches)
Calves (Tibias): 2-3 cm (0,78 - 1,18 inches)

For more info about this surgery feel free to contact us.

In terms of safety, Turkey can generally be considered a safe country for medical tourists. We see enormous interest from various places of the world, especially from the US, UK, Saudi Arabia, Canada etc. Since high-quality limb lengthening operations and post-op services are very expensive in most of these countries, Turkey appears to be a good choice using both reasonable prices and high quality. Similarly, in countries such as Indonesia, India, Cambodia, and Azerbaijan there are many people interested in leg lengthening surgery in Turkey.

Regarding visa requirements, Turkey offers varying entry conditions based on nationality. Some nationalities are eligible for a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival, while others may require a visa in advance. It's important to check the specific visa requirements for your nationality well in advance of your planned trip.

If you belong to a nationality that requires a visa to enter Turkey, it is advisable to contact the Turkish embassy or consulate in your home country to gather accurate and up-to-date information on the visa application process. They can provide you with guidance on the necessary documents, processing times, and any fees associated with obtaining a Turkish tourist visa.

Contrary to popular belief, limb lengthening surgery has less percentages of risk compared to many surgical procedures. One of the least possible risks are non-union, slow union of bones, and fast bone union, which may be a reason for another operation or getting treatment to fix this. Moreover, one of the most common complications can be infection, and it mostly is seen on the surface or around the pin sites ( LON Method). Yet, it is quite treatable without causing serious problems. We must note that internal methods such as Precice 2 or Stryde have lower infection risks compared to the other methods. Please visit our blog and read more about complications & risks;

https://wannabetaller.com/limb-lengthening-side-effects-complications

Before undergoing cosmetic limb lengthening surgery, it's essential to consult an experienced surgeon, and a medical team, undergo medical evaluations, set realistic expectations, choose the appropriate technique, plan for recovery time, make necessary lifestyle adjustments, arrange a support system, consider the financial aspects, and prepare mentally for the surgery. In addition to all these, you can get adjusted to sleeping on your back if you go for the LON method because you will be unable to sleep on your sides during the limb lengthening process. Also, you can request a Pre-Op Exercise file prepared by our physical therapists from our patient consultation expert. With those exercises, you will prepare your muscles and nerves for the distraction.

Online Consultation with the doctor costs 100 $. If you want to arrange an online consultation with him at the earliest possible date and time, you can schedule your consultation by contacting the patient consultation expert. The payment is made through the bank.

As the Wannabetaller Team, we are dedicated to supporting our patients through their limb-lengthening journey with quality services and an expert team. This transformative procedure entails overcoming challenges such as post-surgical pain, reduced mobility, and the need for diligent wound care and physiotherapy. Our patients face adjustments in daily life, including dependence on assisted walking and adapting to the limb-lengthening process. Despite these hurdles, our comprehensive support and guidance aim to make the recovery smoother, emphasizing the importance of following medical advice, seeking emotional support, and maintaining a positive outlook. We stand by our patients every step of the way, ensuring a caring and professional environment for their recovery and growth.

You can walk at home or get out to walk with devices on your legs. It is advisable to walk as long as it is not too extreme. At the same time, you can also do your works that you do not need much to stand up.

Scars that are formed on the legs after surgery depend on the method of operation. The most scars occurs in the ilizarov method and the least occurs in the internal fixation method. As a matter of fact, these scars can be reduced and became unnoticeable by aesthetic methods.

Limb lengthening procedure and the following recovery process may take some time, but eventually you can get back your pre-surgery health and do sports that you want. For many types of sports, you may have to wait up to 1-1.5 years after your surgery. The main thing to do is to be patient, stick to the instructions of your LL doctor, take physiotherapy sessions and care about your overall health.

For cosmetic reasons, it is preferable not to lengthen over 6-8 cm per segment. We believe that safety and health of our patients need to come first. It is extremely dangerous and risky to attempt lengthening femurs more than 8 cm and tibia more than 7 cm. If a patient desires to gain, for example, something between 10-15 cm, it is more reasonable to get 5-8 cm on femur, then later 5-7 cm on tibia, rather than attempting to lengthen 10 cm on one bone section. The flexibility of your legs is also important. The more flexible your legs are, the more relaxed you will be during the lengthening.

There are Ilizarov, Holyfix, LON/LATN, Precice methods which are used in limb lengthening surgery. LON is currently the most preferred method by our patients due to its short recovery period and relatively low price. However, Precice 2 is a much safer, more comfortable, and less risky method, although it can be pricey for some patients. For detailed information, please visit Limb Lengthening Surgery Methods