How to Get Shorter: Height Reduction Surgery Explained

When it comes to body image, most conversations focus on how to grow taller. But for a small group of people, being too tall can be just as challenging. Whether it’s physical discomfort, joint pain, or social struggles, many individuals search for ways to get shorter. While posture adjustments, clothing choices, and shoe styles can create the appearance of reduced height, the only true medical solution is height reduction surgery.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about height reduction: what it is, why people choose it, how the procedure works, risks and recovery; all backed by medical insights.

Why Would Someone Want to Get Shorter?

Being tall is often considered an advantage, but extreme height can bring unique challenges. Here are the main reasons people seek height reduction surgery:

• Physical Discomfort: Very tall individuals often suffer from back pain, knee pain, and joint strain due to disproportionate stress on the skeletal system.

• Mobility Issues: Height can sometimes limit agility, making sports, daily activities, or even fitting into cars and airplanes difficult.

• Aesthetic Concerns: Some patients feel that their body proportions look unbalanced, and reducing a few centimeters can restore harmony.

• Psychological and Social Factors: Extremely tall individuals may feel self-conscious or socially isolated, especially if their height draws constant attention.

  
  

What Is Height Reduction Surgery?

Height reduction surgery, also called limb shortening surgery, is an orthopedic procedure designed to safely decrease a person’s height by surgically shortening the leg bones.

The surgery typically targets either:

• Femur (thigh bone)

• Tibia (shin bone)

By removing a small section of bone and stabilizing the leg with surgical hardware, surgeons can reduce a person’s height by 3 to 5,5 centimeters, depending on the bone chosen.

Who Can Get Height Reduction Surgery?

Not everyone is a candidate. Surgeons carefully screen patients before recommending the operation. Ideal candidates include:

• Adults with closed growth plates (growth must be complete; typically 18+ years old).

• Individuals experiencing pain or medical issues related to their height.

• Patients with psychological or social challenges due to being exceptionally tall.

• People in good health overall, without conditions that would complicate bone healing.

  
  

How Does the Surgery Work?

The process follows several carefully planned stages:

1. Pre-Operative Evaluation

• X-rays, CT scans, and physical exams determine bone structure.

• Medical history and psychological assessment ensure suitability.

2. The Surgical Procedure

• Under general anesthesia, a small portion of bone is removed (either femur or tibia).

• The bone is then stabilized with screws, and an intramedullary rod.

• This controlled shortening creates a permanent reduction in height.

3. Hospital Stay

Patients usually remain in the hospital for 3 days to recover from surgery and pain management.

4. Recovery & Physiotherapy

• Full recovery takes several months.

• Patients undergo regular physiotherapy to maintain mobility and muscle strength.

• Most people return to daily life in 6 weeks, with full bone healing in 3 months.

  
  

How Much Height Can Be Reduced?

• Femur shortening: 3–5,5 cm reduction

• Tibia shortening: 2–3 cm reduction

The exact amount depends on the patient’s body proportions and medical safety limits.

The portion of the bone that is reduced with height reduction surgery.

Risks and Considerations

Like any major surgery, height reduction carries risks. Common considerations include:

• Infection at the surgical site

• Blood clots (deep vein thrombosis)

• Nerve or blood vessel injury

• Gait or posture changes if not managed with physiotherapy

• Reduced athletic performance for high-impact sports

Because of these risks, height reduction should only be performed at specialized orthopedic centers with extensive experience in limb surgeries.

This Is Where Our Height Reduction Team Steps In

While the risks of height reduction surgery mean it should only be performed by highly skilled professionals, our clinic is proud to be the first; and currently the only medical center in the world that offers this surgery in a safe, structured, and specialized way.

Our dedicated Height Reduction Team consists of internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yunus ÖÇ, experienced physiotherapists, and compassionate patient coordinators who work hand in hand to ensure not only medical precision but also holistic patient care. From the first consultation to post-surgery rehabilitation, every step is guided by our team’s expertise and our pioneering commitment to making height reduction surgery both possible and successful.

The pieces of bones that were removed from our patients.

To date, there have been only 10 height reduction surgeries performed worldwide and every single one of them was carried out by our team. This makes us the undisputed global pioneer in the field of height reduction. By entrusting your journey to us, you are choosing the world’s only team with real, proven experience in performing height reduction surgeries; not just in theory, but in practice.

In order to receive more information about the procedure, feel free to reach our team; get an online consultation and details of the process; and take a look at our height reduction guide along with our services!

Telephone&WhatsApp: +90 531 869 83 11

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E-mail: contact@heightreduction