Colombian man, 29, grows from 5ft8 to 6ft thanks to $175,000 operation that lengthens legs by snapping and stretching bones
A 6ft tall Colombian man is now 6ft tall after undergoing the world's most painful surgery to lengthen his legs.
Yeferson Cossio, 29, underwent limb lengthening surgery three months ago – an excruciating and expensive operation that involves breaking the legs, implanting magnetic rods and using a remote control to stretch them over several months.
Although it costs up to $175,000, plastic surgeons estimate that the number of men undergoing limb lengthening surgeries has doubled in recent years.
Colombian influencer Yeferson Cossio, 29, underwent surgery to lengthen his limbs, increasing his height from 6 feet to 6 feet
The amazing procedure works by breaking at least two leg bones in half. Nails are then drilled into both ends of each femur and shin bone, which are slowly pulled apart with magnets, resulting in a longer bone over a period of a few weeks. But it can leave patients in pain and wheelchair-bound during the process, requiring months of physical therapy
Mr Cossio, an influencer with 11 million followers on Instagram, said: 'I had the most painful operation in the world.'
“Just as it is the most painful operation, it is also one of the most expensive.”
Mr. Cossio said he paid between 200 million and 700 million Colombian pesos for the treatment, which amounts to about $50,000 to $175,000.
Surgery involves cutting the bone and inserting magnetic rods and pins at each end.
For the next three to four months, the legs are lengthened by up to 1 millimeter every day using an external remote control that stimulates the magnets.
This helps new bone grow over the rods.
Patients then undergo several months of physical therapy and must walk with a mobility aid, such as a walker or crutches.
Doctors also advise patients to adhere to a healthy diet and take calcium supplements to help bones heal faster.
At the end of the recovery, the rods are removed in a separate procedure.
The Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City estimates that limb lengthening procedures have a 95 percent success rate. The hospital lists minor complications such as scarring and stiff joints as common risks and states that serious complications are rare.
Mr Cossio said the procedure was “the most painful operation in the world”. It also cost him up to $175,000
Mr. Cossio said he plans to stay 6 feet tall and not grow taller after his surgery
Mr. Cossio's surgeon pointed out that the surgery is typically used to adjust deformities where one limb remains longer than the other, or when a patient loses part of a limb in an accident.
However, doctors estimate that the number of men undergoing cosmetic limb lengthening surgery has doubled in the past three years.
The increase is part of an overall increase in male plastic surgery. A 2019 report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons found that more than 1.3 million cosmetic procedures were performed on men the year before, a 29 percent increase from 2000 to 2018.
And it seems that being bigger gives men more opportunities. A review from 2020 examined the ethical implications of length extension. It turned out that taller people were more likely to have higher incomes, better education and better marriage potential.
Shorter stature can also make dating a challenge. Research published last year studied the relationship between height and dating preferences among heterosexual people in the US, Canada, Cuba and Norway. The study found that men preferred shorter women, and women preferred taller men relative to their own height.
Mr Cossio said he heard about the procedure after experiencing pain in his legs, although he did not explain what it was.
A three-month progression from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City shows gradual lengthening of the femur, or femur. The circled opening shows the new bone growth
Mr Cossio's medical team said he should be able to resume normal activities after his recovery
“Two years ago I had a problem with my legs that I don't really want to talk about because it's very personal,” Mr. Cossio said. “But one of the things that had the most impact on me was stretching the legs.”
“I looked into it, met some people and discovered that it does indeed exist.”
Mr Cossio's surgeon said the influencer will be able to carry out his daily activities normally as he recovers, such as walking, exercising and playing football.
He said he plans to stay about six feet.
Mr Cossio showed off the results on Instagram together with his sister Cintia. While filming with her phone, she asks him, “At what point did you get so big?” Stand up straight for me.”
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She turns to her bigger brother and sighs, “You're a giant.”
Users criticized him for his decision to spend thousands of dollars on the procedure. In response to the online hate, he said: “Why would I hide that?
One resident commented: 'He grew taller and doubled his stupidity, how ridiculous.'
A user named Luisa said: “Now it will walk even more crookedly.”
User Fred commented: “He is wearing his mother or sister's high heels.”