If you're unhappy with your height, you know how challenging normal daily life can be. Along with being self-conscious about your short stature, wishing you were taller can lead to embarrassment, anxiety, and low self-esteem while performing everyday tasks, such as going to work, and especially during important events, such as going on a date for the first time.

Fortunately, you don't have to suffer from the pain and embarrassment that comes with being shorter than you'd like forever. Through cosmetic height lengthening, Dr. Shahab Mahboubian, D.O., MPH and his experienced team can help you grow taller and more confident. Here's what you need to know about how cosmetic height lengthening surgery can benefit you before scheduling your consultation with Dr. Mahboubian.

What is Height Lengthening Surgery?

Height lengthening surgery is a cosmetic surgery that that is used to lengthen the bones in a person's legs. This procedure can be performed on the person's thigh (femur) and/or their shin (tibia), depending on their unique needs. While height lengthening surgery began in the 1950s as a means to correct physical deformities in children, advances in technology have allowed this one-of-a-kind treatment to also be available to adults for cosmetic purposes to help them achieve a taller stature.

Who is a Good Candidate for Height Lengthening Surgery?

The best candidate for height lengthening surgery would be a person who:

• Has stopped growing

• Doesn't smoke

• Lives a healthy lifestyle

• Is psychologically stable

It's also important for people considering height lengthening surgery to have the support of their family, particularly since your recovery time will be longer than most other cosmetic surgeries and include extensive physical therapy.

How Many Inches Can You Grow with Limb Lengthening?

Height lengthening has dramatically evolved in the past 50 years. With modern limb lengthening techniques, Dr. Mahboubian can help you grow up to 6 inches taller! For most people, it is recommended that the femur be lengthened by 2-3 inches in one surgery, then performing an additional surgery on the tibia one year later to lengthen one's legs by another 2-3 inches. 

What to Expect From Your Height Surgery

Having your legs lengthened through cosmetic height surgery can be a life-changing event. As such, it should be taken very seriously and should be performed by an experienced surgeon on a well-informed person. Here's what you can expect before, during, and after your cosmetic height surgery.

Before Surgery

First and foremost, you will have an initial consultation with Dr. Mahboubian. During this appointment, the doctor will review your medical history, take X-rays of your legs, and discuss your height lengthening options. If it's determined that you're a good candidate for height surgery, your surgery will be scheduled.

During Surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will be put to sleep with general anesthesia. Then, Dr. Mahboubian will cut a small incision by your hip or in the front of your knee, followed by an incision through the width of the bone being lengthened. When the bone is in two sections, the Precice nail is carefully placed in the center of the bone and secured with specialized screws that lock them into position. Finally, the incision is closed.

After Surgery

Once your surgery is complete, you can expect to be in the hospital for three days. You will start physical therapy while in the hospital and should continue participating in physical therapy throughout the remainder of your lengthening process, usually between 3-6 months. After your surgery, the cut bone is gradually pulled apart by a fraction of an inch over time. When this happens, your body will create new bone tissue to fill in this empty gap and increased height is achieved. While undergoing the height lengthening process, it's important to see Dr. Mahboubian every 10-14 days for a physical exam ad X-rays to ensure your treatment is progressing well.

What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Height Surgery?

For people who struggle with their short stature, cosmetic height surgery can help them enhance their personal and professional lives in ways that might otherwise seem impossible. Being physically taller can help 

• Improve your self-esteem and confidence

• Give you a competitive advantage in sports, your workplace, and the dating world

• Provide peace of mind that will exude in every area of your life

The way you look can ultimately determine how you feel about yourself and interact with others on a daily basis. If you're tired of feeling distressed about your short stature, cosmetic height surgery may be an option to help you achieve a renewed sense of happiness, confidence, and peace.

What Are the Risk of Cosmetic Height Surgery?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Mahboubian will discuss any potential complications from cosmetic height surgery with you in detail. While complications are unlikely, they do occur in some patients, including:

• Infection

• Joint and tendon stiffness

• Blood clots

• Poor bone development

• Hardware failure

In some cases, additional surgeries may be required to resolve complications from cosmetic height surgery, but these instances are rare.

Does Insurance Cover Limb Lengthening Surgery?

Because limb lengthening surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure, your medical insurance plan will most likely not cover it. While this is true, having insurance can be beneficial to help pay for physical therapy, medications, and potential complications that may arise. To learn more about the specific costs of limb lengthening surgery as well as our financing options, please contact our office.

Cosmetic Height Surgery Can Change Your Life

No one should feel ashamed or embarrassed to engage with others because of their height. At Height Lengthening Institute, we can help you grow 3-6 inches with our progressive limb lengthening surgery. Dr. Mahboubian and his trusted team are proud to offer the best in progressive techniques, state-of-the-art equipment, and personalized care in a comfortable setting. 

What are you waiting for? Cosmetic height surgery can change your life for the better.