Brutal process behind surgery used to make people inches taller

There are any number of operations out there which you can have to change your appearance.

Whether it's a nose job, implants, or liposuction, there are a lot of things you can have done.

However, one surgery seems to take things a step further.

Being tall seems to be important these days; dating apps can ask you to list your height, and it seems to be something people are increasingly self conscious about.

It's become such and issue for some that they're willing to undergo a procedure to make their legs longer. Yes that's right, you can now have your legs lengthened if you're anxious about your height.

skaman306 / Getty

If you're wondering about what kind of brutal operation that would require, look no further!

A description of the process on the website of clinic Penn Medicine, which performs the procedure, reads: "The reconstructive surgeon performs a surgical osteomy (breaks) on the femur and/or tibia through small incisions in the affected leg."

Yes, you read that right, the doctor has to actually break your legs. I mean, how else of you think they do it?

It continues: "A magnetic lengthening rod and pins are inserted into the bone which allows the leg to have controlled lengthening over a period of time.

"There is an external magnet that that is applied over the lengthening device which mechanizes a gear in the device and moves the telescoping rod. The magnet rotates the gears in the rod to increase the length of the limb."

Instagram/theresiafischer

After surgery, the recovery process involves working with physiotherapists to strengthen the limbs.

However, you also have to continue using the magnetic device twice a day afterwards to continue with the procedure. This turns the rod which is placed in the leg around 0.5mm per day. How long this goes on for depends on how much height you want to gain.

That sounds like having braces tightened, but much, much worse.

The procedure can have incredible results as well, at least in terms of his much height you can gain.

Model Theresia Fischer from Germany had the difficult and extreme surgery and managed to add an extra 5.5 inches to her 5ft 6ins frame.

Initially was thrilled by the results, saying that it had had a positive impact on her sex life.

However, Theresia has since said that she regrets having the procedure done.

She said: "I am ashamed because I consented to an operation that shouldn't have had."

So might be one to avoid, tbh.