Height reduction surgery, also known as limb shortening, is an option for individuals looking to modify their stature for cosmetic or personal reasons, as well as those with significant leg-length discrepancies. The procedure typically requires only a few days in the hospital, followed by several months of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Careful planning, realistic expectations, and dedicated aftercare are essential for a successful outcome. This guide provides an in-depth look at every stage of the process, from pre-operative considerations and surgical methods to post-operative recovery and potential risks, equipping you with the necessary information to make an informed choice.
Height Reduction Surgery
Height reduction surgery is a specialized orthopedic procedure that shortens one or both legs by surgically removing a small portion of bone. Through precise bone cutting and stabilization using internal devices like rods or metal plates, this surgery can enhance overall body proportion and may help relieve both physical and psychological challenges.
The amount of reduction is designed in order to keep the proportions balanced in a safe and healthy way.
From Femur: 5-5.5 cm
From Tibia: 2 to 3 cm height reduction can be achieved.
How is Limb Reduction Surgery Done?
After administering general anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small incision to access the bone and performs an osteotomy, carefully cutting it at a predetermined location. A section of bone is then removed to achieve the desired reduction in length. The remaining bone ends are brought together and stabilized using either an intramedullary rod placed within the bone canal or a metal plate with screws affixed to the outer surface. Both techniques ensure proper alignment during the healing process, with the hardware typically removed after about 8 months. Once the incision is closed, the patient undergoes initial recovery, which includes a few days of hospital monitoring to manage pain and reduce the risk of complications such as infection.
Hospital and the Recovery Process after the Limb Reduction Surgery
The hospital process usually takes 3 days. In the hospital, the patient stays in a single room with a bathroom, also there is a couch for the caregiver to stay with the patient. During the hospital process, the patient gets 1 or 2 physical therapy sessions, and how the exercises should be done is explained to the patient, the patient’s medical dressing gets changed and the things that the patient should give extra attention to are explained to the patient in detail.
After the hospital process, it is advised that the patient stays in Turkey for 2-3 weeks if they come from abroad in order for the medical team to observe and to be able to check up on the patient. Also spending the first weeks after the operation with an experienced physiotherapist can speed up the recovery time. In addition, during their stay, the patients can also utilize our other healthcare services.
During the first 6 weeks, the patient needs to use a walker or crutches. Later on they can start walking unaided with the doctor’s supervision. It is expected for patients to walk unaided 6 weeks after the surgery. When the patient succeeds to walk unaided, they can start gradually going back to their normal lives.
The full consolidation of the bones takes 3 months after the surgery. About 8 months after the surgery, the patient gets nail removal surgery, and the process is finalized after that.
Who is a Good Candidate for Limb Reduction Surgery?
Limb reduction surgery is usually suitable for young adults and adults who stopped growing. Most people usually reach their tallest height at 18 or 20. For the doctor to decide how much bone should be taken out, the surgery candidate should have stopped growing completely. Therefore, it is suitable for adults who stopped growing.
What are the Risks and Complications that Might Occur after these Procedures?
These surgeries, like all surgeries, are not risk-free. Although it is not very common for these risks and complications to occur, these are some of them that might happen with limb reduction surgery:
- Edema
- Muscle Weakness
- Infection
- Vascular Trauma
- Slow Bone Union
- Non-Bone Union
Incisions in Limb Reduction Surgery
For limb-reduction surgery, some incisions are opened on the legs of the patient.
This is how the incisions look on the legs after the surgery. The scarring is minimal with limb reduction surgery, however you can still get fractional laser treatment if you don’t like the way it looks after the process.
Height Reduction Surgery Cost
The height reduction surgery price is 22,850 USD.
If you plan to get your cosmetic limb reduction surgery, please contact our patient consultant to start your process. After your consultation with both the patient consultant and the doctor, they are going to show you the way to prepare for the surgery.
Our First Limb Reduction Surgery
We have performed 7 height reduction surgeries so far; which are the first and only height reduction operations performed in the world. Our first patient was an American who were in her early 20s. She had been hesitant about the procedure but eventually, she has chosen the WannaBeTaller/ Height Reduction team and our doctor Yunus Öç to get her limb reduction surgery.
This is the pre-surgery image of our patient, which has been taken with our doctor.
Our patient’s pre-surgery height was 173 cm. Her post-surgery height is now 168 cm, and her height decreased by 5 cm by the femur. Before the surgery, our patient stated that because of personal reasons, she was feeling that she was too tall and wanted to get this surgery.
This X-Ray image is from the surgery when the bone was being cut
And this is the full X-Ray image of our American patient’s legs before and after her limb reduction surgeries;
The surgery went efficiently and the doctor did everything by the book. Our patient’s recovery process is going well and comfortably at the moment. We wish her every happiness with her new height.
You can view the bone that was cut through our patient’s leg. It is exactly 4.9 cm.
If you still have doubts about whether height reduction surgery is real or not, you can check out our Youtube video, in which we explain in detail how the limb reduction surgery is performed;
And, this is the before and after image of our patient who had limb reduction surgery, side by side our doctor. You can see her height change.
You can also reach more information about limb reduction surgery from the FAQs part and by asking our patient consultant.
Our team is the first company that has performed this operation in the world and it has the highest record of cases. Below, you can see the examples of some of our patients in the video.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Can height be decreased by surgery?
Cosmetic limb reduction surgery is possible and our doctor Yunus Öç has successfully done it. If there is a length difference between your limbs, it is also possible to do limb reduction surgery for them to be at the same length.
2.Is height surgery a risk?
Like every surgical operation, limb reduction surgery has also its risks and complication possibilities. You can read about those in our article.
3.How successful is height reduction surgery?
The success rate of height reduction surgery is not known because there are only a few examples in the world, but the height reduction surgeries that our doctor has done so far has been completed successfully.
5.How much is height reduction surgery?
Currently, it is 22.850$ in our company. Our all-inclusive package covers:
– Meeting you at the airport upon arrival
– VIP transportation throughout your entire journey
– Accommodation in a 4-star hotel for 2 days before the operation
– An English-speaking caregiver to assist you during your hospital stay
– A complimentary Istanbul tour, including historical and touristic visits, a boat tour, and meals at famous restaurants
– Medical examinations before the surgery
– 3 days of hospitalization
– Assistance from a physiotherapist and related medications during your hospitalization
– Provision of a walker, crutches, and wheelchair
– Free consultations with doctors and consultants whenever you need
– All hospital charges related to the operating room and recovery room
– Fees for the hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, and surgery assistants
Our dedicated team provides personalized care and support at every step. From your arrival to your complete recovery, we ensure every aspect of your journey is comfortable, safe, and successful.
For detailed information and appointment:
Phone & WhatsApp: +90 531 988 30 90
Email: contact@heightreduction.com
Instagram: @heightreduction
