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'I have to be taller': the unregulated world of India's limb-lengthening industry
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/09/i-have-to-be-taller-the-unregulated-world-of-indias-limb-lengthening-industryThe 24-year-old, from the town of Kota, in western India, went to see Dr Amar Sarin, an orthopaedic surgeon in Delhi, who made her eight centimetres (3in) taller, a procedure which involved breaking the bones in her legs and wearing a brace until she could walk again.
Her parents had to sell the family’s ancestral lands so she could get the surgery, but for Komal, the extra height is worth it. “I have so much confidence now,” she says. “I was just 4’ 6” (137cm). People used to make fun of me and I couldn’t get a job. Now my younger sister is doing it, too.”
In a country where height is considered attractive, Komal is one of a growing number of young Indians using their increasing prosperity to improve their marriage and career prospects, and fuelling a cosmetic surgery boom.
However, limb lengthening surgery is completely unregulated in India and many of the surgeons performing it lack experience. As it also carries a certain stigma, the Guardian has chosen not to reveal Komal’s real name.
Her parents had to sell the family’s ancestral lands so she could get the surgery, but for Komal, the extra height is worth it. “I have so much confidence now,” she says. “I was just 4’ 6” (137cm). People used to make fun of me and I couldn’t get a job. Now my younger sister is doing it, too.”
In a country where height is considered attractive, Komal is one of a growing number of young Indians using their increasing prosperity to improve their marriage and career prospects, and fuelling a cosmetic surgery boom.
However, limb lengthening surgery is completely unregulated in India and many of the surgeons performing it lack experience. As it also carries a certain stigma, the Guardian has chosen not to reveal Komal’s real name.
38 replies
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Bollywood - effin' madness
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=7819451
only problem there, the guy said, is the hospital food is bland.
It's not that high tech a surgery.
As much as we might want to lord over the rest of the world, the height advantage is not a universal, but is quite large in the US. This recent study, cited by Atlantic, says there is a major penalty - about 15% salary for men being "very short," i.e., 5'4" or below as opposed to just short, 5'6", and then only another 10% gain in salary for going up to 6'. For some careers, the penalties are probably larger. A totally realistic option. If you were going to make $100k/year for your whole life with a professional graduate degree, except you were short and it would be lowered to $85k, you could take a gap year before college so that this penalty is eliminated, it's not crazy at all. Or if you wanted to run for President.
only problem there, the guy said, is the hospital food is bland.
It's not that high tech a surgery.
As much as we might want to lord over the rest of the world, the height advantage is not a universal, but is quite large in the US. This recent study, cited by Atlantic, says there is a major penalty - about 15% salary for men being "very short," i.e., 5'4" or below as opposed to just short, 5'6", and then only another 10% gain in salary for going up to 6'. For some careers, the penalties are probably larger. A totally realistic option. If you were going to make $100k/year for your whole life with a professional graduate degree, except you were short and it would be lowered to $85k, you could take a gap year before college so that this penalty is eliminated, it's not crazy at all. Or if you wanted to run for President.
My mother gained 2" in height when she had her arthritic knees replaced - she had to let down the hem on all her pants.
Say...my 13 yo daughter is only 5'8" - she could use a few more inches for volleyball. 
