How Much Is Height Lengthening Surgery?

Because height lengthening is considered cosmetic, it’s not usually covered by health insurance, except in rare cases. We can help verify any coverage you may have and help you apply your benefits or reimbursement to your surgery. Most people, however, pay for the surgery out of pocket or by using financing options, such as through Care Credit.

The price of height lengthening surgery can vary a great deal, based on the surgeon, the method of surgery, what is included in the price of surgery, and quality of care. You can read more about what the surgery itself involves before comparing costs.

At the Height Lengthening Institute, we have been able work with our local hospital and staff to bring everyone interested in the procedure the most affordable prices in the country. Check out our Costs and Expenses page for our most current rates, and keep in mind a personal consultation is the most accurate way to get an estimate and to be informed about personal surgery expectations.

Costs for height lengthening surgery can vary for each person, so it’s important to get a personal consultation to have an accurate picture of the price of surgery. When you receive a quote from us, following a personal consultation, some of the costs included in the quote will usually be:

• Surgical costs and surgeon fees,
• Bilateral Precice lengthening rod implants,
• Hospital stay following surgery (up to 3 days),
• Operating room and surgery recovery room charges,
• X-rays and radiologist fees (up to 12 weeks),
• Other hospital diagnostic tests, and
• Office visits (up to 12 weeks)
• An additional fee of $12,000 for PMAX (6k per nail) will apply.

Outside of the cost of a personalized price quote would be all medications and vitamin supplements, as well as mobility aids such as crutches, although insurance will generally cover both of these. Also not included are any travel and lodging accommodations, although we can provide recommendations. Other personal needs related to travel (food and supplies) are not covered in the price quote, nor are any other home health aides or home nursing care that may be needed.

Why is Height Lengthening Important?

Adults consider cosmetic height lengthening for highly personal reasons. For some, dissatisfaction with stature has affected confidence, social experiences, dating, or overall quality of life for many years. Concerns about height can influence how a person feels about themselves and how comfortable they feel in certain personal or social situations. Research has also explored the relationship between height and experiences such as success in dating, although individual experiences vary considerably.

For someone who has thought about increasing their height for years, cosmetic limb lengthening can provide a surgical option for achieving greater stature. However, height lengthening is a major elective orthopedic procedure that requires significant recovery and rehabilitation. The decision should be based on realistic expectations, a clear understanding of the risks and recovery process, and an individualized discussion with an experienced surgeon.

Who is Height Lengthening For?

Cosmetic height lengthening may be considered by adults who have a longstanding desire to increase their height and understand the demands of the procedure, recovery, and rehabilitation. Candidacy is determined individually and includes factors such as overall health, bone and joint health, anatomy, treatment goals, and whether the patient has realistic expectations about the lengthening process and recovery.

A consultation with an experienced limb lengthening surgeon is important for determining whether cosmetic height lengthening is appropriate and how much additional height may be safely considered based on the individual patient.

Is Height Lengthening Painful?

Height lengthening is a significant surgery so there is some pain. Dr. Shahab Mahboubian, D.O., MPH, uses the Precice system, an internal lengthening system designed to allow controlled, gradual bone lengthening.

During surgery, most patients have an epidural, which is an anesthesia that blocks pain to part of the body. Pain can also be controlled during surgery using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), which is a safe method that allows the patient to manage their own pain.

After surgery, we often use a long-acting, slow-release local anesthetic, which provides pain relief in the area of the surgical wounds for up to four days. Before discharge from the hospital, patients will switch to managing pain through oral pain medicine.

The first few weeks after surgery are generally the most difficult and patients are given prescription pain medications to take home. After the first few weeks, most people report they are much more comfortable, and pain medications may no longer be needed.

If a patient experiences pain that interferes with sleep, we may prescribe medication to help with sleep. Discomfort can also occur during physical therapy and throughout the lengthening process as the body adjusts. Pain levels vary by patient and stage of recovery, and our care team works with each patient to manage discomfort throughout treatment.

Why Choose Us?

Height lengthening surgery is expensive, but many people see it as an investment in the life they want to be living. As with any significant investment, it’s important to put a great deal of consideration into your choice.

Dr. Shahab Mahboubian, D.O., MPH, is a premier expert in height lengthening surgery, and was the first orthopedic surgeon on the West Coast to perform a cosmetic limb lengthening using the Precice and Stryde nail system, revolutionary approaches to limb-lengthening. His dedication to providing meticulous, high-quality care means that Dr. Mahboubian uses the most advanced techniques in orthopedic surgery.

With a background in osteopathic medicine, Dr. Mahboubian’s medical training had a more specialized focus on the musculoskeletal system, compared to conventional medical training. He completed his training in limb lengthening and deformity correction surgery at the world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, the #1 orthopedic hospital in the country (U.S. News & World Report). That deformity correction work includes procedures for conditions such as knock knee deformity, not only cosmetic height gain.

Minimizing the risks involved with surgery, while helping patients achieve their height goals is of the utmost priority. Dr. Mahboubian establishes a collaborative relationship with patients, making sure that they have a thorough understanding of the procedure and options so that they can make educated decisions about their care and look forward to the best outcomes.

A personal consultation is the best way to learn if height lengthening could be the answer to the challenges your stature causes in your daily life. Contact us to find out more.

Frequently Asked Questions