This procedure is becoming increasingly common in Turkey, where medical facilities advertise the ability to reduce height by up to 5 cm, while also addressing leg length discrepancies caused by birth defects, injuries, or the after-effects of conditions like osteomyelitis and polio.

According to Healthy Türkiye, a medical tourism company, leg-shortening surgery is an orthopedic procedure that reduces the length of arms or legs. The operation takes 2-4 hours depending on its complexity, and is performed for medical reasons like limb length discrepancy or for cosmetic reasons when limbs are disproportionate to the body. During the procedure, the surgeon removes a section of bone from the longer limb, then reattaches the remaining bone segments and secures them with specialized metal rods or plates. The goal is to make both limbs the same length, improving the patient's gait and overall body symmetry.

Height Reduction, a clinic in Turkey, posted before-and-after photos of a patient who underwent leg-shortening surgery. Photo: Height Reduction

Height Reduction, a clinic in Turkey, posted before-and-after photos of a patient who underwent leg-shortening surgery. Photo: Height Reduction

Height Reduction, a clinic in Istanbul, reports having performed 10 procedures since 2023. The clinic advertises its ability to shorten thighs by up to 5.5 cm and lower legs by up to 3 cm. The company also revealed that an anonymous American woman underwent the procedure there in 7/2024, reducing her height by 4.1 cm, from 1.72 m to 1.67 m. Four weeks post-surgery, she was able to use crutches and begin intensive physical therapy.

FlyMedi, another medical tourism service, lists 30 facilities offering the surgery in Turkey on its website. According to the company, recovery time varies, typically lasting from several months to a year, depending on the amount of bone that needs to heal and the patient's individual healing rate. Patients stay in Turkey for 2-3 weeks for recovery and follow-up appointments before returning home. Light activities like walking can typically resume after a few weeks. Strenuous or high-impact exercises should be avoided for 3-6 months. Patients wishing to further reduce their height should wait at least 6 months between surgeries.

Leg-shortening surgery in Turkey is becoming a popular choice for international clients due to its lower cost, modern facilities, and experienced medical professionals. Healthy Türkiye states that compared to the UK and the US, the surgery costs 40-60% less in Turkey, ranging from 527 to 922 million VND. FlyMedi quotes prices from over 775 million VND to nearly 1.4 billion VND, which includes surgical expenses. Clinics also offer attractive packages, such as city tours, restaurant meals, and boat trips, to entice clients.

Similar to limb lengthening surgery, there is no official data on the number of leg-shortening procedures performed globally. However, medical experts warn that this procedure carries risks such as muscle weakness, delayed bone healing, infection, swelling, bruising, and prolonged pain.

The risk of complications from limb lengthening, a similar procedure, is estimated to be twice as high as that of typical knee replacement surgery. According to experts, serious complications can occur, including joint dislocation, blood clot formation, and even life-threatening fat embolism.

A patient had her legs shortened by 4.1 cm after surgery at Height Reduction. Photo: Height Reduction

A patient had her legs shortened by 4.1 cm after surgery at Height Reduction. Photo: Height Reduction

The UK's National Health Service (NHS) recently warned about the increasing number of shorter individuals traveling abroad for limb lengthening surgery. Professor Tim Briggs of the NHS emphasized that this is not a quick fix but a serious, invasive procedure. Patients face months of painful treatment and the potential for infection, nerve damage, blood clots, and even permanent disability. He advises anyone considering this surgery for cosmetic reasons to think carefully.

"Don't gamble with your health or life for a few extra centimeters in height without fully understanding the risks," he said.

Binh Minh (Telegraph, Healthy Türkiye, Height Reduction, FlyMedi)