Man who spent $100K on a painful leg-lengthening surgery to add 7 inches to his height says he doesn

Publish date: 2024-06-10

A man who had always been dissatisfied with his 6-foot stature made the decision to undergo a leg-lengthening surgery in Turkey, spending over $100,000 just to add 7 inches to his height. Brian Sanchez, a 33-year-old mortgage broker, revealed to The Sun that his legs had always appeared abnormal to him without knowing why. After realizing that his legs were shorter than he would have preferred, especially compared to his much-taller brother-in-law, he felt compelled to take action.

Describing his appearance, Sanchez said, “I’m broad, have long arms, and I'm wide, but my short legs make me look different.” Frustrated by his perceived anomaly, he likened his appearance to that of a “huge thumb, like those thumb men from 'Spy Kids.'” Deciding to undergo extensive research online, he came across the Live Life Taller clinic in Turkey. The clinic, which has completed over 4,400 similar procedures, is manned by physiotherapists and health advisors who have personally undergone the surgery, as stated on its website.

Sanchez’s family was taken aback when he revealed his decision to proceed with the surgery, expressing disbelief and amusement at his typically audacious nature. Despite the recognition of the extraordinary nature of his choice, Sanchez remained resolute, acknowledging the immense cost, time, physical hardship, and potential risks involved.

The initial leg-lengthening surgery in December 2022 cost Sanchez approximately $37,000. He recounted the grueling process, explaining that his tibia and fibula were broken and the inside of the tibia hollowed out, followed by the insertion of a rod and attachment of bone segments via pins to external fixators. His grueling recovery process included the daily use of an Allen wrench to turn the fixator bolt for two consecutive months. Reflecting on the experience, Sanchez admitted he had underestimated the excruciating pain involved. Nevertheless, he remained optimistic, believing the pain would ultimately be worthwhile, expressing hope that the completion of the process would allow him to fully savor his newfound height.

In March, he underwent a second surgery to elongate his femurs, costing him an additional $69,587. Contrary to expectations, he experienced minimal pain throughout the process, aside from pain resulting from the actual leg stretching. As of February, he had increased his height by approximately 3 inches.

Sanchez, still confined to a wheelchair during his recovery, has gained a total of 7 inches in height. While he maintains a level-headed perspective, he also eagerly anticipates the changes his increased height will bring to his life. Recalling his experiences standing up, he described the surreal sensation of towering over people who were once his height.

The article also highlighted the similar experiences of other individuals who have undergone leg-lengthening surgeries, such as Moses Gibson and Theresia Fischer, demonstrating that Sanchez’s choice is not entirely unique.


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