A replica of the Femur and the Tibia, the upper and lower bones of the human legs, displayed with the metal nails and rods used to stretch the bones apart 1mm per day, for three months, after the bones have been broken, and the apparatus inserted. The ‘Wanna Be Taller’ clinic in Istanbul has treated more than 700 patients. 50-55% of its clients are from China, but there’s a growing number from elsewhere across Europe, North America, and even as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The vast majority of the patients are men, who want to become taller for a variety of reasons, mostly linked to what they perceive will be increased success in relationships, love, and their careers. The Founder and CEO of the company, İbrahim Alğan Kurucu, said they have treated many international and local politicians, police officers, prosecutors, and semi pro athletes, all jobs traditionally associated with societal power and strength.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months, being prepared for the surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.
1mm A Day
Isolated in a generic hotel room, amongst the drab grey of Istanbul’s sprawling concrete suburbs, 19 year old Japanese man Yuto’s (159.5 cm to 168 cm) days are split between his room, and the physiotherapy sessions in the hotel’s basement, for three long months, day in, day out. He studies online, plays games on his phone, and watches TV.
He’s wheelchair bound, his legs have been broken, metal rods inserted. He needs to find his Allen key to stretch his thighs by turning a bolt system every six hours. It might sound like a terrible accident, but it’s all voluntary and rather expensive. Welcome to the world of limb lengthening, stretching your legs slowly and gradually, eking out about 1 mm of extra height gain a day.
Masculinity is a fluid concept, a social-historical idea of what it means to be a male, but one definite that has remained fundamentally associated, is height and stature.
Ümit, a 43 year old leg lengthening patient from Germany, uses an Allen key to extend his leg every 6 hours. He always tries to get a little extra out of his legs each day, as he hopes to make more than a 1mm per day limit, recommended by his doctors. He came to have his slightly bowed Tibia straightened, and then decided to have his Femur lengthened, combining the medical with the aesthetic. Beginning at 1m 68cm and now at 1m 74cm, with still some time to go, he hopes to gain a total of more than 9 cm over the three month stretching period. Reflecting on the reason why an increasing number of men are having the procedure done, he says, “We men our quite women driven, we all needs to be accepted and recognised, and to feel attractive. Height is an important criteria of this to be honest.”
Human bone samples inside the offices of ‘Wanna Be Taller’, a limb lengthening company based in Istanbul, Turkey. These bone fragments were removed from some four patients that have come to be shortened, in contrast to the majority or clients, who want to be taller. The ‘Wanna Be Taller’ clinic in Istanbul has treated more than 700 patients. 50-55% of its clients are from China, but there’s a growing number from elsewhere across Europe, North America, and even as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. The vast majority of the patients are men, who want to become taller for a variety of reasons, mostly linked to what they perceive will be increased success in relationships, love, and their careers. The Founder and CEO of the company, İbrahim Alğan Kurucu, said they have treated many international and local politicians, police officers, prosecutors, and semi pro athletes, all jobs traditionally associated with societal power and strength.
Ümit, a 43 year old leg lengthening patient from Germany, uses an Allen key to extend his leg every 6 hours. He always tries to get a little extra out of his legs each day, as he hopes to make more than a 1mm per day limit, recommended by his doctors. He came to have his slightly bowed Tibia straightened, and then decided to have his Femur lengthened, combining the medical with the aesthetic. Beginning at 1m 68cm and now at 1m 74cm, with still some time to go, he hopes to gain a total of more than 9 cm over the three month stretching period. Reflecting on the reason why an increasing number of men are having the procedure done, he says, “We men our quite women driven, we all needs to be accepted and recognised, and to feel attractive. Height is an important criteria of this to be honest.”
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months, being prepared for the surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm during his daily physiotherapy session in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
The X-rays of Ümit, a 43 year old leg lengthening patient from Germany, displayed on a phone. Ümit came to have his slightly bowed Tibia straightened, and then decided to have his Femur lengthened, combining the medical with the aesthetic. Beginning at 1m 68cm and now at 1m 74cm, with still some time to go, he hopes to gain a total of more than 9 cm over the three month stretching period. Reflecting on the reason why an increasing number of men are having the procedure done, he says, “We men our quite women driven, we all needs to be accepted and recognised, and to feel attractive. Height is an important criteria of this to be honest.”
Over the past decade, Turkey has slowly transformed into a popular destination for those wanting cosmetic surgery. From the infamous ‘Turkey teeth’, to hair transplants, liposuction, or a BBL, they offer it all, and there’s a relatively new option on the menu, limb lengthening.
It can be seen as a mental health issue, as much as it can be as a physical transformation. Aside from those few doing the operation for medical reasons, the vast majority are coming for aesthetic purposes, bringing some respite from taunting and bullying, or preparing themselves for jobs that they believe lend themselves to being that little bit taller. In one clinic alone there have been over 700 patients since 2015, only four of which have come to be shortened, all women.
İbrahim Alğan Kurucu, (160 cm to 172 cm) the founder and CEO of ‘Wanna Be Taller’, the first of several commercial limb lengthening clinics opened in Turkey, notes that “many patients have jobs that give them positions of power; police officers, prosecutors, businessmen, politicians, and semi-pro athletes, but they still want to be taller”. Ibrahim himself had two rounds of limb lengthening, gaining a total of 12 cm between his upper (Femur) and lower (Tibia) leg extensions.
For between £25,000-£45,000 ($30,000-$55,000) and over three months spent in a wheelchair with your legs broken, patients need plenty of “Bravery, Time and Money” as Mr Kurucu puts it. The majority of Wanna Be Taller clinic’s patients are from overseas, with 55% from China alone, so translators and personal ‘caretakers’ are assigned to each patient.
Visiting the hotel is a surreal glimpse into this niche industry, where patients from Japan, North America, Western Europe, China, and Turkey are wheeling themselves in and out, and being massaged and cleaned. It feels like a secluded health spa, but without the health benefits. In fact, the risks and potential complications can be severe - nerve damage, paralysis, complex deformity, or worse.
Yuto (centre left), a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm during his daily physiotherapy session at the hotel where he spent his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Dr Yunus Öç, an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, specialising in limb lengthening, sits in his office in the Beykent University Hospital in Istanbul’s western suburbs, Turkey. Having worked on limb lengthening patients for the past 8 years, he has only turned to cosmetic patients in over the past 2 years, during which time he’s operated on more than 150 patients. Dr Öç claims that he refuses to operate on around 30-40% of patients that approach him, as he believes them not being fully prepared for the leg lengthening operation and recovery, both mentally or physically. He says that his reputation is everything, and therefore he is selective about who he operated on.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm in the hotel room in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto (centre), a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm being measured after his daily physiotherapy session at the hotel where he spent his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Showing her scars following the operation, Althea, a 23 year old Filipina patient at the Wanna Be Taller clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, where she came to be shortened. She had 4.8cm of her Femur removed, making her now 166cm. Having arrived at 171cm, which she says was too tall for a woman in Asia, she said she was taller than her classmates, and her male partner at the prom, and now feels more comfortable and confident. Although more than 700 patients have come to the clinic to be taller/lengthened, Althea is only the forth to have shortening surgery, and all the others were female patients too.
Associate Professor Dr. Yunus Öç, the clinic’s surgeon, stresses that he only operates on those who won’t face risks or complications. “I’ve refused 30-40% of the patients that contact me, as I don’t believe they’re prepared physically or mentally. Patients need good post-op support for their bodies, as well as their minds, it’s a gruelling process.” After 7 years working on medical limb lengthening cases, for the past 2 years Dr. Öç has solely focused on cosmetic patients. He claims that from his over 150 leg lengthening surgeries, more than 90% had no complications or issues at all.
After 11-12 long months in recovery, patients can expect to walk unaided again, and with muscle weakness restored. Within two years the internal nails need to be removed. There remains a lot of stigma relating to this surgery, something which one of the few shortening patients, Althea (171 cm to 166 cm) from the Philippines, says she hopes will fade. “People always ask why, why, why?! I hope this attitude changes, and it becomes like a nose job. Nobody cares these days, but it used to be a scandal.”
As Ümit (168 cm to 174 cm) from Germany put it, “Us men are quite women driven, and we need to feel attractive, and height is an important part of that criteria to be honest.”
Two foreign leg lengthening patient who gained having their daily physiotherapy session in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where they all lived for three months during the leg stretching process.
Althea, a 23 year old Filipina patient at the Wanna Be Taller physiotherapy clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, where she came to be shortened. She had 4.8cm of her Femur removed, making her now 166cm. Having arrived at 171cm, which she says was too tall for a woman in Asia, she said she was taller than her classmates, and her male partner at the prom, and now feels more comfortable and confident. Although more than 700 patients have come to the clinic to be taller/lengthened, Althea is only the forth to have shortening surgery, and all the others were female patients too.
WD-40 spray oil, alongside medical and cosmetic items, used to treat the limb lengthening patients and their metal appendages at the ‘Wanna Be Taller’ physiotherapy room in Istanbul, Turkey.
Ümit, a 43 year old leg lengthening patient from Germany, working from his bed whilst massaging his legs, whilst recovering from his Femur lengthening surgery. He always tries to get a little extra out of his legs each day, as he hopes to make more than a 1mm per day limit, recommended by his doctors. He came to have his slightly bowed Tibia straightened, and then decided to have his Femur lengthened, combining the medical with the aesthetic. Beginning at 1m 68cm and now at 1m 74cm, with still some time to go, he hopes to gain a total of more than 9 cm over the three month stretching period. Reflecting on the reason why an increasing number of men are having the procedure done, he says, “We men our quite women driven, we all needs to be accepted and recognised, and to feel attractive. Height is an important criteria of this to be honest.”
Mr Ibrahim Alğan Kurucu - the founder and CEO of ‘Wanna Be Taller’ Turkey’s first limb lengthening clinic, posing for a portrait in the company’s office in Esenyurt, on the western outskirts of Turkey’s largest city. He himself has had two surgeries to lengthen his legs, in both upper and lower leg, gaining a total of 12cm, and motivating him to start the business, which caters to Turkish and many international clients. They have operated on more than 700 clients to date.
Ümit, a 43 year old leg lengthening patient from Germany, explains how hard mobility is, and using the toilet, or sleeping, whilst recovering from his Femur lengthening surgery. He always tries to get a little extra out of his legs each day, as he hopes to make more than a 1mm per day limit, recommended by his doctors. He came to have his slightly bowed Tibia straightened, and then decided to have his Femur lengthened, combining the medical with the aesthetic. Beginning at 1m 68cm and now at 1m 74cm, with still some time to go, he hopes to gain a total of more than 9 cm over the three month stretching period. Reflecting on the reason why an increasing number of men are having the procedure done, he says, “We men our quite women driven, we all needs to be accepted and recognised, and to feel attractive. Height is an important criteria of this to be honest.”
A Turkish patient has his Tibia lengthened, and a physiotherapist tightens the screws here, something done every 6 hours during the 3 month duration of the procedure, after having the metal rods inserted, and having their legs broken. This one clinic in Istanbul has treated more than 700 patients, and 50-55% of its clients are from China, but there’s a growing number from elsewhere. The majority of the patients are men, that want to become taller for a variety of reasons, mostly linked to what they perceive will be success in relationships, love, and their careers.
Yuto (right), a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm in the corridor of a hotel in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months. Dr Yusuf Öç drills into Yuto’s thigh, whilst performing surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm during his daily physiotherapy session in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months, having his metal stretchers sterilised and cleaned, after his daily physiotherapy session. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Althea, (right) a 23 year old Filipina patient at the Wanna Be Taller physiotherapy clinic in Istanbul, Turkey, where she came to be shortened. She had 4.8cm of her Femur removed, making her now 166cm. Having arrived at 171cm, which she says was too tall for a woman in Asia, she said she was taller than her classmates, and her male partner at the prom, and now feels more comfortable and confident. Although more than 700 patients have come to the clinic to be taller/lengthened, Althea is only the forth to have shortening surgery, and all the others were female patients too.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months. Dr Yusuf Öç drills into Yuto’s thigh, whilst performing surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm in the hotel room in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months, being prepared for the surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm during his daily physiotherapy session in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto (right), a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm in the lift of a hotel in Esenyurt, Istanbul, where he lived for three months during the leg stretching process. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years.
Yuto, a 19 year old Japanese leg lengthening patient who gained 8.5cm over three months. Dr Yusuf Öç drills into Yuto’s thigh, whilst performing surgery to remove the metal appendages used to stretch his Femur, at the Baykent University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Yuto gained 8.5cm (from 159.5cm to 168.0cm) in total over his three month stay and stretching process in Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city. Upon his return to Japan, he will require medical supervision for the next months and for up to two years. The Hotel is the only place he has been during his three month recuperation period. He had his metal leg stretchers removed the following day, and returned to Japan shortly afterwards.