The Materialist Examines the Quest for Height
The new romantic drama “The Materialist,” featuring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans, dives into the notion of what defines the “ideal man.”
In the film, Johnson’s character, Lucy, refers to Pascal’s character, Harry, as a “unicorn”—a rare find, maybe? But as the story unfolds, Lucy uncovers an unexpected truth: Harry was once only 5 feet 6 inches tall before opting for leg lengthening surgery. Astonishingly, his legs were left with scars as a result.
The limb lengthening procedure, which extends bones over several months, involves breaking the femur or tibia, inserting rods, and slowly rotating these rods to create new bone growth. Lucy poses a question: “What are a few inches, really?” This hints at the superficiality often tied to height.
Typically, patients can add a maximum of 6 inches, though 2 to 3 inches is more commonplace. It’s important to note, though, that since this is considered cosmetic surgery, it usually isn’t covered by health insurance, and the costs can be quite steep.
In the U.S., bilateral femur extensions can cost over $120,000, while combined tibia and femur extensions might exceed $250,000 with some providers. Because procedures tend to be more affordable overseas, many American men are seeking options in places like Turkey, reminiscent of the travel trends for hair transplants.
But wait, does this seem like a strange venture? What drives people to undergo such drastic surgery? In 2019, only a handful of these procedures were performed, but the trend seems to be gaining traction, often discussed online in curiosity.
Dror Paley, who leads the Paley Orthopedic and Spine Institute in Florida, mentions that while many surgeries aim to correct physical imbalances, he also performs around 100 height-enhancing procedures each year for those simply desiring to feel taller.
“It’s curious to treat patients for purely cosmetic reasons,” he reflects, understanding now what plastic surgeons have long known about body image issues. A 25-year-old man, standing at 5 feet 6, shares his struggle: “Short men aren’t respected; it affects our job opportunities and promotions.”
Interestingly, several individuals believe that this drive to be taller is for the sake of romantic interests, much like Harry in the film. One anonymous character states, “It really changed our lives. Women approach us differently now.”
This sentiment resonates with others who agree, asserting that height can impact perceived value in various facets of life. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that not all shorter men feel they need to change. Mike, a 5-foot-3 content creator, counters, “You don’t have to be tall; it’s about being true to who you are.”
Interestingly, women are part of this narrative too. Model Theresa Fisher spent over $162,000 on leg-lengthening surgery, adding 5½ inches to her height, which she believes made her more attractive in the dating world.
However, the road to recovery can be challenging, with potential side effects like infections, scarring, and even nerve damage. The full recovery from such a procedure can span several months—definitely worth considering before jumping into this transformative journey.
