Height Surgery

Dear Suze, I read about 25-year old, 5’6” Aaron Trinh in The NY Times who had “height” surgery. I socialize and entertain clients as an advocate for my tech engineering company. It’s embarrassing that even though I'm 30, I get mistaken for a child because I’m only 5’5”. My parents rejected growth hormone therapy as a child, so now I have a second chance. The surgery is pricey ($70-150K) and risky but it would put me on top of the world.  

Dear 2nd chance. This is elective surgery with lifelong consequences, both physically and mentally. Although a few cases can be found as far back as 1980, usually to correct deformities, this surgery is still in its infancy with lots of unknowns. Fracturing femur bones, adding implants with steel rods that expand the legs over a few months, then another surgery to remove them. Complications can be: nerve pain/damage, bow legs, changes in muscle and bone from healing, infections, embolisms. As of 2/17/26, the Times article concluded, “There is no standard protocol on height surgery, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons has not issued official clinical guidelines on the procedure.” Do research like an expert, and good luck. -SQ