Article Today, Hyderabad:
The growing demand for height enhancement surgeries has sparked serious concern among health experts. Increasingly, young people are opting for cosmetic bone-lengthening operations, even at the cost of long-term health risks.
From Disability Treatment to Fashion
Originally designed for patients with congenital deformities or bone-related disabilities, the procedure is now being promoted as a cosmetic trend. Social media and celebrity influence are fueling the desire for greater height, turning what was once a medical intervention into a lifestyle choice.
Painful and Risk-Prone Procedure
The surgery involves breaking leg bones and inserting devices that gradually extend them. This process requires months of recovery, often leaving patients confined to wheelchairs. Surgeons warn of possible complications such as nerve damage, infections, weak bones, and permanent disability.
Expert Warnings
British orthopedic surgeon Professor Tim Briggs has cautioned that the procedure is not a quick solution but a painful and risky process with long-term consequences. In India, doctors have echoed these concerns, highlighting the lack of regulatory oversight in private hospitals and clinics.
High Financial Burden
The operations are also prohibitively expensive. Costs can reach Rs. 50 lakh in the United Kingdom, around Rs. 24 lakh in Turkey, and between Rs.15 and Rs. 30 lakh in Indian metro cities, including Hyderabad. China has banned the procedure, but in India, clinics continue to offer it as a lucrative business.
Cases Reported in Hyderabad
Past cases in Hyderabad revealed that some hospitals conducted height enhancement surgeries without proper parental consent or medical justification. Complaints were registered, but enforcement remained weak. Critics argue that local health authorities act only after mishaps, exposing patients to avoidable risks.
Influence of Media and Celebrities
Young people are increasingly influenced by sports personalities, film stars, and online influencers who set unrealistic beauty standards. This has pushed sections of the urban wealthy into pursuing high-risk procedures for a few inches of added height.
Call for Strong Regulation
Medical experts stress that clear national guidelines are urgently needed to regulate such surgeries. They urge authorities to act before more young people suffer irreversible damage. Doctors further emphasise that natural health should be prioritised over hazardous cosmetic trends.
