New York Man 'Grows' Six Inches Through Surgery

[Hum]

At five foot, six inches, Apotheosis was shorter than the average American male and very unhappy about it.

So he did something other men who feel short might consider unthinkable: he opted for costly, painful surgeries to make himself "grow" a total of six inches.

"I realized that the world looked at me a certain way that I didn't look at myself in that certain way," said the 37-year-old New Yorker, who goes by the pseudonym "Apotheosis" in online forums and asked that "20/20" not use his real name. "I wanted the way I felt about myself and the way the world felt about me to be similar."

Apotheosis is one of a "growing" number of men pursuing limb-lengthening procedures for cosmetic reasons.

Dr. Dror Paley, a renowned osteopathic surgeon at the Paley Institute at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla., performed 650 leg-lengthening surgeries last year.

Most of Paley's patients have severe deformities or dwarfism, but he also sees cosmetic patients.

"The majority who come for cosmetic limb lengthening have what we call, height dysphoria. They're unhappy with their height," said Paley, adding that therapy has little effect on changing a patient's views. "It's one of the few psychologic-psychiatric disorders that you can actually cure with the knife."

That is precisely the reason why Akash Shukla, 25, decided to undergo the procedure. At age 18, the New Jersey man was devastated to find out that his final height would be 4'11 ½.

"I felt like my short stature was kind of causing a void inside me- an emptiness in my heart, if you will," he said.

"There are people that have said, 'just accept what God gave you. But, in some way, shape or form everybody is trying to alter what god gave them. If God gave kids crooked teeth, they get braces," said Shukla, who is now almost 5'2" thanks to the surgery.

Only a few doctors, including Paley, perform the procedure in the United States.

Surgeons break the leg bone in two and implant a state-of-the-art telescopic rod into the middle of the broken bones which then pulls the bone apart very slowly, about one millimeter a day.

New bone grows around it and tissues like the muscle, the nerves, the arteries, and the skin, regenerate as well.

At about $85,000, the procedure is expensive and the process lengthy. It takes at least three months to complete it and it requires demanding and excruciating physical therapy.

Apotheosis is still in recovery and he does not want to go public even though this is his second surgery.

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[jnelsoninjax]

Why?!!! I'm sorry but that just seems like a painful procedure to have done.

[FMH]

Why?!!! I'm sorry but that just seems like a painful procedure to have done.

He makes a good point about the braces, They are a pretty painful experience too.

Even more so, if you have to get some teeth extracted. Like I did. :p

[Hum]

OUCH ! is all I can say. :woot:

[chconline Veteran]

5'6" isn't THAT short...

[Hum]

^ Yeah, it's the penis size that counts :shifty:

[ZakO]

Mad. I'm 5' 6" which is indeed short... but I don't feel like my height has ever held me back, so no thanks :p.

In the video one guy goes from 5' 11" to 6' 2" , if you're already 5' 11" why would you care about being taller :huh:.

[Japlabot]

"It's one of the few psychologic-psychiatric disorders that you can actually cure with the knife."

WHAT A QUACK. Stay away from this surgeon. There is nothing wrong with being short, and he is not a psychologist, nor is he a psychiatrist, so he is talking complete bull****. There are plenty of short people who accept their stature, either because they never found it to be an issue, or with a little bit of psychology (Just as tall people need to accept their height, or people with red hair, or big lips, and so on).

[Twiddle]

About 5-6 years ago, I saw a story on TV about a girl who underwent this surgery to gain height to meet the minimum requirements to be a stewardess.

Seemed pretty cool, plus, American Airlines, I think, heard about her doing this, and offered her a position immediately after she recovered from the surgery. (About one year or so to recover, iirc.)

[mokthraka]

"It's one of the few psychologic-psychiatric disorders that you can actually cure with the knife."

WHAT A QUACK. Stay away from this surgeon. There is nothing wrong with being short, and he is not a psychologist, nor is he a psychiatrist, so he is talking complete bull****. There are plenty of short people who accept their stature, either because they never found it to be an issue, or with a little bit of psychology (Just as tall people need to accept their height, or people with red hair, or big lips, and so on).

you do get training in med school for pyschiatry. It's actually the same degree. He knows more about it then you I'm guessing.

[Dot Matrix]

Apotheosis?

[Seizure1990]

I can't imagine going through that kind of pain to change that... you'd pretty much HAVE to be a little messed up over it to be willing to endure that :p

[Arceles]

I'm 160 cm (I think... 5,2" or something like that) I pretty much prefer to be the way I'm.

[Ently]

Ha I think the grass is always greener on the other side. I remember in high school I was 6' 1" (which I think is considered tall) and I hated my height I always wanted to be shorter haha. After highschool and migrating into the real world I realized how silly it was and also that height really doesn't matter.

[Japlabot]

you do get training in med school for pyschiatry. It's actually the same degree. He knows more about it then you I'm guessing.

Psychiatry is the same degree as doing Surgery? You can't even spell Psychiatry. If he knew more about Psychiatry/Psychology that I do, then he wouldn't say such stupid comments to suggest that the way to cure insecurities is with cosmetic surgery. The only serves his own purpose to make more money by preying on people with such insecurities who see surgery as an easy way out of their insecurities. I assure you, that without Psychological treatment, that they will find some other insecurity after the surgery, because the surgery does not fix the root cause (which also, is good for his business).

[mokthraka]

Psychiatry is the same degree as doing Surgery? You can't even spell Psychiatry so I

because getting a letter mixed up on a phone clearly means I cant spell it.

but anyways yes, both Surgeons and Psychiatrists go to school for an MD.

[Squirrelington]

Last time i was measured, about a year and a half ago, I was clocked in at 5' 6 3/4" or 66.75 inches or 169.545 cm. I don't consider myself short, just slightly below the height of others. Hasn't held me back and i'd have to say this guy is whacked in the head.

[Royalty]

Stupid people can be very stupid.

[Pygmy_Hippo]

Probably for the best - just remember the wise old saying:

"You can't stop a short bloke from kicking off" :D

[Japlabot]

because getting a letter mixed up on a phone clearly means I cant spell it.

but anyways yes, both Surgeons and Psychiatrists go to school for an MD.

Mate, they are completely different streams. Medicine is a very broad area with many different specialities. It would be too hard for doctors to be an expert in all areas, and that is why we have specialists.

[mokthraka]

Mate, they are completely different streams. Medicine is a very broad area with many different specialities. It would be too hard for doctors to be an expert in all areas, and that is why we have specialists.

regardless, if you go to any med school, in your 3rd and 4th years, you get training in both. Not to mention, it relates directly to what he does...

[Memphis]

I don't see the difference between this and the heavily defended transgendered.

[techbeck]

If it makes him happy, who cares.

[Davo]

I don't see the difference between this and the heavily defended transgendered.

Because no one reconstructs sexual organs out of feeling disadvantaged.

[WesDog]

I'm 6'6" and being tall has its own set of problems. If you are 5'6" to 6'2" you should be happy where you are. Good luck though whatever you choose.