5ft 11 man undergoes $75,000 surgery to LENGTHEN his limbs and increase his height by 2in - because he's always dreamed of being tall like his basketball heroes
PUBLISHED: 04:18 EST, 18 January 2021 | UPDATED: 09:51 EST, 20 January 2021
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A man has undergone cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery to increase his height from 5ft 11 to 6ft 1 to be more like the basketball heroes he grew up with.
Alfonso Flores, 28, from Dallas, Texas, said that he had wanted to be taller from the age of 12 but his family and friends had all warned him against the 'unnecessary' treatment.
The freelance writer and pre-med student persevered with the surgery under the care of Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr Kevin Debiparshad of The LimbplastX Institute in Las Vegas.
Alfonso has now been at his new height for seven months and says that it feels great to say he has finally achieved his dream of topping 6ft.
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Before: Alfonso Flores, 28, from Dallas, Texas, underwent cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery in 2020 to increase his height from 5ft 11 to 6ft 1. He is pictured before the cosmetic surgery
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After: Alfonso, left, has grown by two inches, fulfilling his dream of being taller. He is pictured with orthopedic surgeon, Dr Kevin Debiparshad of The LimbplastX Institute, in Las Vegas
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Then and now: After the surgery, Alfonso stands at 6ft 1, having grown by two inches as a result of the cutting-edge procedure
The procedure is incredibly expensive, however.
Dr Debiparshad's website states that the surgeries start at $75,000 for a femur-lengthening procedure - which is what Alfonso had done - and go up to $84,000 for a tibia-lengthening surgery, however patients may also opt for add-ons that can raise the price to around $94,000.
Between one and two years after the surgery has taken place, patients then have to fork out an additional fee to have the nails removed from their legs, a procedure that costs between $14,000 and $20,000, which would bring the total cost of the limb-lengthening to between $89,000 and $114,000.
How limb-lengthening works
Limb-lengthening is a procedure to extend bones in the arms or legs.
It is a gradual process that slowly increases the length of both bones and soft tissues (skin, muscles, nerves).
The leg bone is broken in two places before a state-of-the-art telescopic rod is implanted into the cartilage of the bone.
The orthopedic device is then gradually adjusted to pull apart - usually at a rate of one millimetre a day - so that it slowly separates the two bone segments.
New living bone then grows to fill the gap and increases the overall length of the limb, but will not be considered 'healed' until this regenerate bone has hardened and calcified.
Muscles, nerves, arteries and skin also renew themselves.
Source: limblength.org
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The surgery was performed by Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr Debiparshad
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Alfonso was able to take his first rehabilitation steps just one day after surgery. Pictured: X-ray before surgery (left) and after with the implants (right)
'The surgery went great. When I woke up, I wasn't in as much pain as I thought I would be.
'During my stay at the hospital, Dr Debiparshad prescribed me a few pain medications which really helped make this process as painless as possible. I would say the pain was as high as a 3/10.
'When I was ready to walk, one day after the surgery, my pain was as high as 4/10.
'The most difficult part was sleeping on my back for two days at the hospital. It was only a matter of weeks until I was back to normal day-to-day activities.
'I've had little to no discomfort in my legs throughout the process.
'My bones are pretty much consolidated since having the surgery.'
This is has been something that I have wanted for a long time and it feels great to say that I have finally achieved it...
Alfonso Flores
Alfonso also gave advice to anyone else considering surgery of a similar kind.
He said: 'I highly encourage people to really look into themselves before they commit to having the surgery, and really think about why they are doing this to ensure that it's for the right reason.
'As for post-surgery, I'd say as long as you're taking care of yourself, taking it slow, and being careful with your limbs after the surgery, you should be in really great shape.'
He concluded: 'The past seven months have been a dream.
'This is has been something that I have wanted for a long time and it feels great to say that I have finally achieved it.'
Speaking about the technicalities, Dr Debiparshad told FEMAIL: 'The LimbplastX cosmetic limb-lengthening procedure is a minimally invasive surgery developed specifically to safely lengthen the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (lower leg bone).
'It’s minimal invasive surgery where I make 4-6 small incisions into the leg with the guidance of X-ray, which allows access to the hollow part of the bone, where I insert the implant that responds to an external remote control that the patient controls at home.
'Once the device is set, I place screws at the top and bottom of the device on each leg to lock into position. After surgery, the external remote control is used by the patient to increase their height by 1mm per day at the touch of a button, slowly stretching the legs resulting in height increase.
'The surgery takes about an hour and a half to complete for both sides, and patients can expect to gain up to six inches in height across two lengthening surgeries.'
He added: 'The demand for cosmetic limb-lengthening is growing exponentially, thanks to the technology developed around it, and the appeal it is gaining in mainstream media.
'The desire to appear taller, particularly for men, has always been a hot topic in modern day society and social norms. While that is a driver in the popularity to increase their height, reasons for cosmetic limb-lengthening vary.
'Since opening my practice in 2018, I have seen a steady increase in patient interest and volume.
'I saw an increase in interest during the mid-summer months in 2020, particularly during a time when people had more flexibility to undergo the surgery and start the recovery process in the comfort of their own home.'
'More surgeons are coming on board and offering the surgery, however, it’s important that patients do their homework on medical background and reputation, as well as how many cases they typically perform.
'When carrying out a procedure on someone in “perfect” condition, you want someone who is methodical and delivers the same flawless surgery from patient 50 to patient 100.'
It comes as increasing studies suggest that height equals status, power and achievement with taller people more likely to become CEOs, executives or positions of power.
Tall women are seen as more 'intelligent, assertive and independent' with short women considered more 'nurturing' and to be better caregivers.
This commonly leads to a workplace bias where shorter women are dismissed and downplayed to more traditional gender roles.
Man undergoes cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery to increase his height from 5ft11 to 6ft2 | Daily Mail Online
- Alfonso Flores, 28, from Dallas, Texas, had wanted to be taller from the age of 12
- His family and friends had all warned him against the 'unnecessary' treatment
- But he persevered under the care of orthopedic surgeon Dr Kevin Debiparshad
- Alfonso, at his new height, says it feels great to say he finally achieved his dream
- Dr Debiparshad's leg-lengthening surgeries start at $75K and go up to $94K
- Patients then have to pay an additional $14K to $20K to have nails removed
PUBLISHED: 04:18 EST, 18 January 2021 | UPDATED: 09:51 EST, 20 January 2021
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412
View comments
A man has undergone cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery to increase his height from 5ft 11 to 6ft 1 to be more like the basketball heroes he grew up with.
Alfonso Flores, 28, from Dallas, Texas, said that he had wanted to be taller from the age of 12 but his family and friends had all warned him against the 'unnecessary' treatment.
The freelance writer and pre-med student persevered with the surgery under the care of Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr Kevin Debiparshad of The LimbplastX Institute in Las Vegas.
Alfonso has now been at his new height for seven months and says that it feels great to say he has finally achieved his dream of topping 6ft.
Video playing bottom right...
Click here to expand to full page
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:53
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+7
Before: Alfonso Flores, 28, from Dallas, Texas, underwent cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery in 2020 to increase his height from 5ft 11 to 6ft 1. He is pictured before the cosmetic surgery
+7
After: Alfonso, left, has grown by two inches, fulfilling his dream of being taller. He is pictured with orthopedic surgeon, Dr Kevin Debiparshad of The LimbplastX Institute, in Las Vegas
+7
+7
Then and now: After the surgery, Alfonso stands at 6ft 1, having grown by two inches as a result of the cutting-edge procedure
The procedure is incredibly expensive, however.
Dr Debiparshad's website states that the surgeries start at $75,000 for a femur-lengthening procedure - which is what Alfonso had done - and go up to $84,000 for a tibia-lengthening surgery, however patients may also opt for add-ons that can raise the price to around $94,000.
Between one and two years after the surgery has taken place, patients then have to fork out an additional fee to have the nails removed from their legs, a procedure that costs between $14,000 and $20,000, which would bring the total cost of the limb-lengthening to between $89,000 and $114,000.
How limb-lengthening works
Limb-lengthening is a procedure to extend bones in the arms or legs.
It is a gradual process that slowly increases the length of both bones and soft tissues (skin, muscles, nerves).
The leg bone is broken in two places before a state-of-the-art telescopic rod is implanted into the cartilage of the bone.
The orthopedic device is then gradually adjusted to pull apart - usually at a rate of one millimetre a day - so that it slowly separates the two bone segments.
New living bone then grows to fill the gap and increases the overall length of the limb, but will not be considered 'healed' until this regenerate bone has hardened and calcified.
Muscles, nerves, arteries and skin also renew themselves.
Source: limblength.org
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The surgery was performed by Harvard-trained orthopedic surgeon Dr Debiparshad
+7
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Alfonso was able to take his first rehabilitation steps just one day after surgery. Pictured: X-ray before surgery (left) and after with the implants (right)
'The surgery went great. When I woke up, I wasn't in as much pain as I thought I would be.
'During my stay at the hospital, Dr Debiparshad prescribed me a few pain medications which really helped make this process as painless as possible. I would say the pain was as high as a 3/10.
'When I was ready to walk, one day after the surgery, my pain was as high as 4/10.
'The most difficult part was sleeping on my back for two days at the hospital. It was only a matter of weeks until I was back to normal day-to-day activities.
'I've had little to no discomfort in my legs throughout the process.
'My bones are pretty much consolidated since having the surgery.'
This is has been something that I have wanted for a long time and it feels great to say that I have finally achieved it...
Alfonso Flores
Alfonso also gave advice to anyone else considering surgery of a similar kind.
He said: 'I highly encourage people to really look into themselves before they commit to having the surgery, and really think about why they are doing this to ensure that it's for the right reason.
'As for post-surgery, I'd say as long as you're taking care of yourself, taking it slow, and being careful with your limbs after the surgery, you should be in really great shape.'
He concluded: 'The past seven months have been a dream.
'This is has been something that I have wanted for a long time and it feels great to say that I have finally achieved it.'
Speaking about the technicalities, Dr Debiparshad told FEMAIL: 'The LimbplastX cosmetic limb-lengthening procedure is a minimally invasive surgery developed specifically to safely lengthen the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (lower leg bone).
'It’s minimal invasive surgery where I make 4-6 small incisions into the leg with the guidance of X-ray, which allows access to the hollow part of the bone, where I insert the implant that responds to an external remote control that the patient controls at home.
'Once the device is set, I place screws at the top and bottom of the device on each leg to lock into position. After surgery, the external remote control is used by the patient to increase their height by 1mm per day at the touch of a button, slowly stretching the legs resulting in height increase.
'The surgery takes about an hour and a half to complete for both sides, and patients can expect to gain up to six inches in height across two lengthening surgeries.'
He added: 'The demand for cosmetic limb-lengthening is growing exponentially, thanks to the technology developed around it, and the appeal it is gaining in mainstream media.
'The desire to appear taller, particularly for men, has always been a hot topic in modern day society and social norms. While that is a driver in the popularity to increase their height, reasons for cosmetic limb-lengthening vary.
'Since opening my practice in 2018, I have seen a steady increase in patient interest and volume.
'I saw an increase in interest during the mid-summer months in 2020, particularly during a time when people had more flexibility to undergo the surgery and start the recovery process in the comfort of their own home.'
'More surgeons are coming on board and offering the surgery, however, it’s important that patients do their homework on medical background and reputation, as well as how many cases they typically perform.
'When carrying out a procedure on someone in “perfect” condition, you want someone who is methodical and delivers the same flawless surgery from patient 50 to patient 100.'
It comes as increasing studies suggest that height equals status, power and achievement with taller people more likely to become CEOs, executives or positions of power.
Tall women are seen as more 'intelligent, assertive and independent' with short women considered more 'nurturing' and to be better caregivers.
This commonly leads to a workplace bias where shorter women are dismissed and downplayed to more traditional gender roles.
Man undergoes cosmetic limb-lengthening surgery to increase his height from 5ft11 to 6ft2 | Daily Mail Online
these doctors ain't shyt.