What is Height Increase Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery has become so commonplace that certain procedures are readily available in day spas. Something simple like improving the look of skin is quick and easy, so treatments are readily available. Treating flaws at the surface level is simple, but what about those more structural issues?
Anyone struggling with short stature is often met with limited treatment options. The good news is that the advancement of technology has made it possible to take control of your height.
Limb lengthening surgery was initially created to help patients experiencing leg length discrepancies. Like any procedure, leg lengthening surgery has evolved alongside technology. This has made surgical procedures for lengthening safer, more effective and more accessible. Cosmetic limb lengthening surgery, also known as height increase surgery, is becoming increasingly popular on a global scale.
Understanding the Limb Lengthening Process
If you have been considering moving forward with a limb lengthening procedure, it is important to fully understand the procedure itself, as well as the needs of patients before and after. Certain cosmetic procedures can be finished in a single day and require little recovery time. Limb lengthening is invasive and requires planning and rehabilitation.
In its simplest form, limb lengthening procedures use the body’s natural bone growth to increase height. The process involves cutting into either the thigh or shin bones. A lengthening device is then inserted into the gap and secured using an internal rod or, in some cases, an external frame.
Depending on the type of device used, patients will use either a manual mechanism or a remote control to create incremental adjustments. Regular adjustments will create a gap between bone segments that will then be filled in with new bone growth (regenerative osteogenesis). It is important to encourage healthy, stable bone growth so adjustments occur gradually at approximately 1 mm per day. This is referred to as the distraction phase.
Once bones have achieved their desired length, patients enter the consolidation phase. After a bone lengthens, it will need time to strengthen before it’s ready for any sort of weight bearing. This process can take several months, so it’s important to be prepared to shift daily practices to suit the needs of your recovery.
Following the consolidation phase, patients must enroll in rehabilitation and physical therapy. Once bones are healed, physical rehabilitation is necessary to regain strength and mobility. Without proper after-care, patients run the risk of decreased range of motion and unexpected complications during the recovery period and beyond.
No surgery is without risk and any invasive procedure runs the risk of complications. It is important that patients understand the risks, processes and necessary recovery period before committing to limb lengthening surgery.
Limb Lengthening Surgery: Where to Look & How to Book
Until recently, limb lengthening surgeries were restricted to those who needed it for purely medical reasons, designed to improve quality of life. The majority of patients were children with congenital diseases that impacted even growth rates, or patients who experienced traumatic injuries. As the procedure becomes more mainstream, more and more surgeons are choosing to offer these complex services.
Seeking out a qualified surgeon and medical team is much different than researching a vehicle or appliance. Every patient wants to know that they are in the best hands, but not everyone is familiar with the type of research necessary to narrow the field. Working with an experienced agency like Venture Surgical provides patients with access to top surgeons in their field.
Venture clients work with professional agents to review specialists and medical teams, choose their preferred facilities and a recovery plan. For those prospective clients who are willing to travel for their procedures, Venture Surgical agents will help to create travel plans and review available coverage options from insurance providers. Agents will also walk through all of the necessary medical records, paperwork and travel documents that must be collected or filed before the procedure.
In addition to recommendations for surgeons and medical teams, Venture Surgical can work with clients to create an effective after-care plan that encourages a smooth recovery. For referrals to local physiotherapists and rehabilitation clinics, all you have to do is ask.
As limb lengthening surgeries increase in popularity, patients will have access to more and more providers. Make sure that you are choosing the staff, facilities and specialists that best fit your needs.
