Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Lartinos on February 17, 2026, 01:46:05 PM
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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/us/height-surgery-limb-lengthening-men-health.html
1. The Rise of "Height Dysphoria"
A growing demographic of men who suffer from what some psychologists and surgeons call "height dysphoria"—a profound dissatisfaction with their stature that affects their self-esteem, dating life, and career confidence. While the average height for an American man is roughly 5'9", many patients seeking the surgery are already of average height but feel "short" relative to the societal ideals often reinforced by social media and dating apps.
2. The Procedure: High Tech and High Pain
The surgical process described is grueling, expensive, and technically complex.
* The Mechanism: Surgeons break the patient’s femurs (thigh bones) or tibias (shin bones) and insert a motorized internal rod.
* The "Distraction" Phase: Over several months, the patient uses an external remote control that triggers the rod to lengthen by about one millimeter per day. As the bone is pulled apart, the body naturally fills the gap with new bone tissue, nerves, and skin.
* The Gain: Patients can typically add three to four inches in height, though some opt for a second round of surgery on their shins to gain even more.
3. Costs and Commercialization
this is largely an elective surgery for the wealthy.
* Price Tag: Costs in the United States typically range from $75,000 to over $150,000, and because it is cosmetic, it is almost never covered by insurance.
* The "Limb-Lengthening Capital": The report notes a surge in clinics specifically in tech and finance hubs like Las Vegas and California. Many patients are high-earning professionals in the tech industry who view the surgery as an "investment in their human capital.”
4. The "Short Stigma" and Professional Bias
the psychological motivations behind the trend. studies suggesting that taller men are often perceived as more authoritative, earn higher salaries on average, and have more success in online dating. One patient interviewed noted that in a world of "height-filtered" dating apps, being 5'7" felt like a "disability," whereas being 5'11" opened doors that were previously closed.
5. Risks and Rehabilitation
Despite the high success rates reported by top-tier surgeons warns of significant risks:
* Physical Toll: The recovery process is described as "torturous." Patients often spend months in wheelchairs or on walkers, dealing with intense "stretching" pain as muscles and nerves struggle to keep up with the bone growth.
* Complications: Potential risks include fat embolisms, nerve damage, "ballerina foot" (where the Achilles tendon tightens so much the patient can't plant their heel), and non-union (where the bone fails to grow back).
* Permanent Changes: While patients become taller, their athletic ability often takes a permanent hit. Running and jumping may never feel the same as they did before the bones were broken and elongated.
6. The Ethical Debate
by questioning the societal shift toward "fixing" the person rather than the prejudice. Critics interviewed argue that the rise of limb lengthening is a symptom of a "toxic masculinity" culture and a society that refuses to challenge "heightism." Proponents and surgeons, however, compare it to breast augmentation or rhinoplasty, arguing that if a medical procedure can alleviate a patient's lifelong insecurity, it is a valid tool for mental well-being.
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Coach never clicked on a thread so fast in his life
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You should never try to make changes to your body unless there is a medical issue causing you pain/danger.
Changing your height, breast implants, transgender surgery, etc are all risky and karma may strike you for playing God. Big difference between getting breast enlargement surgery to become a porno actress vs breast reduction surgery because you’re in pain or experiencing breathing issues. Same thing goes for hair transplants. Or trying over and over to have children and then going to an egg clinic. Chance of something going wrong with the birth is very likely.
Don’t play God and don’t take risks on surgeries to change the way you were born.
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You should never try to make changes to your body unless there is a medical issue causing you pain/danger.
Changing your height, breast implants, transgender surgery, etc are all risky and karma may strike you for playing God. Big difference between getting breast enlargement surgery to become a porno actress vs breast reduction surgery because you’re in pain or experiencing breathing issues. Same thing goes for hair transplants. Or trying over and over to have children and then going to an egg clinic. Chance of something going wrong with the birth is very likely.
Don’t play God and don’t take risks on surgeries to change the way you were born.
Agreed, avoid surgery, cosmetic surgery, never! Doctors love the pay day when they cut but you will never be put together the same.
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Coach never clicked on a thread so fast in his life
:D :D :D :D :D :D
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Shorter people live longer.
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You should never try to make changes to your body unless there is a medical issue causing you pain/danger.
Changing your height, breast implants, transgender surgery, etc are all risky and karma may strike you for playing God. Big difference between getting breast enlargement surgery to become a porno actress vs breast reduction surgery because you’re in pain or experiencing breathing issues. Same thing goes for hair transplants. Or trying over and over to have children and then going to an egg clinic. Chance of something going wrong with the birth is very likely.
Don’t play God and don’t take risks on surgeries to change the way you were born.
WTF !!! BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. 🤬🤬🤬
Never speak of such a thing ever again.
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Very dangerous operations. The risks of complications with muscles, nerves, bloodvessels and bone must be staggeringly high.
Much cheaper and faster to wear shoes that make you taller, or move to a country where people are shorter.
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You should never try to make changes to your body unless there is a medical issue causing you pain/danger.
Changing your height, breast implants, transgender surgery, etc are all risky and karma may strike you for playing God. Big difference between getting breast enlargement surgery to become a porno actress vs breast reduction surgery because you’re in pain or experiencing breathing issues. Same thing goes for hair transplants. Or trying over and over to have children and then going to an egg clinic. Chance of something going wrong with the birth is very likely.
Don’t play God and don’t take risks on surgeries to change the way you were born.
Good post.......I would never invite myself under the knife unless it was to save my life.
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WTF !!! BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY SHOULD BE OUTLAWED. 🤬🤬🤬
Never speak of such a thing ever again.
A crime against humanity!
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Just do bodybuilding instead.
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Just do bodybuilding instead.
Then you look even shorter.
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Swede should look into this - 4'11" may be now within reach.
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Less painfull choice.
(https://img.shopstyle-cdn.com/sim/4c/5e/4c5e019a56599342be2b75cd030645fe_best/asos-design-heeled-chelsea-boots-with-pearl-strap-detail-in-black-faux-leather.jpg)
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Then you look even shorter.
:-[
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Just move to Portugal, 5.9" is above average height.
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Just move to Portugal, 5.9" is above average height.
It’s a double-edged sword in Portugal. Making fun of a man’s height is the #1 cause of divorce, yet it is also punishable by death in most towns.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/us/height-surgery-limb-lengthening-men-health.html
1. The Rise of "Height Dysphoria"
A growing demographic of men who suffer from what some psychologists and surgeons call "height dysphoria"—a profound dissatisfaction with their stature that affects their self-esteem, dating life, and career confidence. While the average height for an American man is roughly 5'9", many patients seeking the surgery are already of average height but feel "short" relative to the societal ideals often reinforced by social media and dating apps.
Such guys need to learn that the first mistake they are making has nothing to do with them being short. But they wanting a relationship.
Women are looking for a caretaker, basically something similar as their father was during their childhood.
Essential for men to realise that women call it a relationship, but mean something totally different.
They want someone who without pay takes care of them in all possible ways, 24/7
Not worth risking your life for in expensive and highly risky operations. Social media and apps are not to blame. It's the lack of knowledge and experience of such insecure men that is the problem.
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Such guys need to learn that the first mistake they are making has nothing to do with them being short. But they wanting a relationship.
Women are looking for a caretaker, basically something similar as their father was during their childhood.
Essential for men to realise that women call it a relationship, but mean something totally different.
They want someone who without pay takes care of them in all possible ways, 24/7
Not worth risking your life for in expensive and highly risky operations. Social media and apps are not to blame. It's the lack of knowledge and experience of such insecure men that is the problem.
Why weren't these problems around at this level before dating apps?
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It’s a double-edged sword in Portugal. Making fun of a man’s height is the #1 cause of divorce, yet it is also punishable by death in most towns.
Haha! Average men height it's about 5.6" - 5.7".
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Such guys need to learn that the first mistake they are making has nothing to do with them being short. But they wanting a relationship.
Women are looking for a caretaker, basically something similar as their father was during their childhood.
Essential for men to realise that women call it a relationship, but mean something totally different.
They want someone who without pay takes care of them in all possible ways, 24/7
Not worth risking your life for in expensive and highly risky operations. Social media and apps are not to blame. It's the lack of knowledge and experience of such insecure men that is the problem.
A decent size schlong is also mandatory.
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Just move to Mexico!
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I’ve never really felt tall, it’s just normal life for me to be “tall”. One time I realized what I guess it is like to feel short or at least not one of the taller guys in the room. I’m 6’4 and a buddy is a little over 6’6 and he’s usually the only one taller than me but I kind of don’t notice. Anyway we went to a restaurant in Chicago with some buddies once and it must’ve been retired pro athlete night or something because they’re were several, I’d say more than 10, dudes that were taller than him. Only time I was like “man this is what it feels like to be normal height in public I guess”. I don’t get why these dudes would do this surgery, but I would say as it gets safer and more refined, like tranny surgery, that you’ll see more of it.
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I’ve never really felt tall, it’s just normal life for me to be “tall”. One time I realized what I guess it is like to feel short or at least not one of the taller guys in the room. I’m 6’4 and a buddy is a little over 6’6 and he’s usually the only one taller than me but I kind of don’t notice. Anyway we went to a restaurant in Chicago with some buddies once and it must’ve been retired pro athlete night or something because they’re were several, I’d say more than 10, dudes that were taller than him. Only time I was like “man this is what it feels like to be normal height in public I guess”. I don’t get why these dudes would do this surgery, but I would say as it gets safer and more refined, like tranny surgery, that you’ll see more of it.
Maybe if they have a surgery to correct their T-Rex arms.
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A crime against humanity!
Definitely ;D