Home
https://news3lv.com/news/local/las-...a-look-inside-what-it-takes-to-be-taller



Las Vegas a hotspot for limb-lengthening surgery, a look inside what it takes to be taller
by Tiffany LaneSat, March 9th 2024 at 6:35 PM

...
LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — At many points in time, several of us have wondered, what would it be like if I were a bit taller?

Well, it's actually possible if you're willing to throw down a couple thousand dollars to make it happen.

News 3 spoke with a local orthopedic surgeon who has helped make the Las Vegas valley one of the main hubs for limb-lengthening surgery in the world.

"This month alone. I think we have patients coming from South America, Europe, Canada, at least 10 or 12 states around the United States," said orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Debiparshad.

It's not a surgery that's for everyone, but over the last 10 years, Dr. Debiparshad has made Las Vegas one of the go-to cities around the world for limb-lengthening surgery, performing hundreds of them every year.

"An implantable implant that goes inside of the bone. Once the implant is put in, I use this device to slowly lengthen the bone. It takes about a millimeter or so a day. So, in about 25 days, you can gain an inch," said Dr. Debiparshad.

It started off mainly for medical reasons, but now, Dr. Debiparshad says 50 percent of the patients are doing it for cosmetic reasons.

One of those patients is the fun-loving Hugo Ramirez, who lives between Texas, California, and Florida.

"When you're 5'9", you still have to fight to get to where you have to be at. I mean, I had to earn my respect. Guys who are six-foot tall, I don't even know how they get their positions in life. It's probably because they're tall," said Ramirez.

Ramirez first got the idea from a friend and decided to give it a go. And it didn't come without sacrifices like having to lose weight.

"I did the gastric sleeve when they get rid of your stomach. And I got down from 215 down to 197," said Ramirez.

Then came the leg-lengthening surgery in early 2023.

"What hurt the worst was learning how to walk all over again, muscle atrophy. That was the brutal part about the surgery was the muscle atrophy. It was the worst," said Ramirez.

While the surgery has been around for decades, there's a new technology that makes the recovery easier.

"There's a fourth generation of the implant called precise max that has recently come out. It is a more fortified implant. It allows for increased weight-bearing capacity, so it will allow patients to actually be able to mobilize and walk right after surgery," said Dr. Debiparshad.

Dr. Debiparshad let News 3 inside what he believes was one of the first uses of the precise max implanted in the world just last week.

The surgery makes patients three to four inches taller.

Right now, Ramirez is about 6'1" with shoes, but guess what? He loved the results so much that he's returning to Vegas to do it again to become 6'4".

This time, with the new technology, and a lot more stretching before going under.

"I have everything. I don't have the perfect wife. I have everything. I don't need anything else. But the height has always been something I've, I've always looked at the people that are taller than me. I've always looked up to them," said Ramirez.

And while the surgery has a hefty price tag of about $80,000, Ramirez said it's worth every penny, saying he's often mistaken for actor and wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.


"The biggest rush right now. I'm 6'1'', especially here in LA, in Beverly Hills, I get stopped all the time," said Ramirez.
That is hilarious.



Which 'Firegay will be the first one to feel the need to have the surgery to get to 6'4"?
I’m content at 6ft2.
Originally Posted by Mike_S
I’m content at 6ft2.
I'm 6'2 also and can't tell where it ever did me a damn bit of good.
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
If the Lord wanted me taller than 6’ he would have made it so. Now if only my dick wasn’t so big. It’s a real burden.
I'm already 6'4" with a 38-in sleeve length. and I believe I'll keep my money in my pocket...
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
Thats what my wife has been telling me! 😂
Originally Posted by Verylargeboots
That is hilarious.



Which 'Firegay will be the first one to feel the need to have the surgery to get to 6'4"?
Im 6'4. Can we go shorter?
That’s crazy. I’m fine at 6’1.
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.
Originally Posted by Hogwild7
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.
And air travel, cars, furniture, among others.
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.


No kidding
I shrunk 1/4” and now 6’ 1 3/4”. I’m good with that.
Not worth it to be 5' 6 1/2"
Little Man's Syndrome can get pretty expensive. laugh
Originally Posted by 3dtestify
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
Thats what my wife has been telling me! 😂


So she'd like a full five inches then? laugh
Do they offer a Manute Bol package? At 5'9" tall on a good day, and a very imposing 170 pounds, I think this may be the deal for me!!
Length and girth matter.
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
😂😂
Everyone commenting on how they don't need this is already 6' or taller.
My Dad was 6ft 9in.

I'm 5ft 8in.
Phug no! I’ve done spent a fortune on hunting clothes and boots. Don’t want to go through that schit again!! lol
I think the best height is 5'10". At least from a convenience standpoint. Guns, clothes, cars, etc. are all designed around that number. The only exception is women, which apparently is a big enough deal to want to screw with your body structure for 80 large.
Taller? No, I'm over 6 ft. 3 inches longer? I could live with that.
Originally Posted by 4winds
I think the best height is 5'10". At least from a convenience standpoint. Guns, clothes, cars, etc. are all designed around that number. The only exception is women, which apparently is a big enough deal to want to screw with your body structure for 80 large.

Yes, women prefer men 6' to 6'3"
Originally Posted by mathman
Originally Posted by 3dtestify
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
Thats what my wife has been telling me! 😂


So she'd like a full five inches then? laugh
Touch’e!!! Actually, double that figure of yours.
Originally Posted by 4winds
I think the best height is 5'10". At least from a convenience standpoint. Guns, clothes, cars, etc. are all designed around that number. The only exception is women, which apparently is a big enough deal to want to screw with your body structure for 80 large.

Height is pretty highly correlated to income. Employees rate taller managers higher. In other words, there’s clear economic disadvantages to being short as a male.
simonkenton7;
Top of the morning from the still dark south Okanagan, I hope your part of the eastern section of the US is treating you well.

As I've mentioned in a couple previous posts over the years, when I was 15 I was involved in an accident which fused a couple vertebrae, so while I might have been 5'7" before that, I was 5'6" on a tall day thereafter.

Honestly I've always been okay with that.

Started losing my hair in my early '20's as well and that was just the way it was as well as far as I was concerned.

Besides, as I've told a lot of my friends, who are of course all taller than me, it's people my height who enable you all to be tall....

If there was no one my height, you folks would be "average"... laugh

You get the rain and sun first and on a skinny day I can fit into a Honda S2000 so it's all a tradeoff.

All the best to you all, regardless of how tall the Good Lord and genetics made you.

Dwayne
Originally Posted by Full3r
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.


No kidding


Don't you guys check your spam folders? There are all kinds of offers to help with that! laugh


Jerry
Originally Posted by antelope_sniper
Everyone commenting on how they don't need this is already 6' or taller.
Why would anyone need it. I'm not nearly 6 feet and happy as can be. Extra height, length or girth wouldn't make my life a bit different.
I'm 6' 1" so paying $80k to hit my head on even more cabinets corners? Ducking down even further to hunt the manzanita thickets the bears hide in? Bending over another three inches to tie my shoes? Hell no my back already hurts. NO THANKS!
Originally Posted by BC30cal
simonkenton7;
Top of the morning from the still dark south Okanagan, I hope your part of the eastern section of the US is treating you well.

As I've mentioned in a couple previous posts over the years, when I was 15 I was involved in an accident which fused a couple vertebrae, so while I might have been 5'7" before that, I was 5'6" on a tall day thereafter.

Honestly I've always been okay with that.

Started losing my hair in my early '20's as well and that was just the way it was as well as far as I was concerned.

Besides, as I've told a lot of my friends, who are of course all taller than me, it's people my height who enable you all to be tall....

If there was no one my height, you folks would be "average"... laugh

You get the rain and sun first and on a skinny day I can fit into a Honda S2000 so it's all a tradeoff.

All the best to you all, regardless of how tall the Good Lord and genetics made you.

Dwayne

You're right about the tradeoff part. I can't fit in any damn sports car to save my life, probably why I prefer a pickup and big comfortable cars!

Maybe it really is the grass is greener thing for everybody, i.e., I admire a good beard cuz I can't grow anything but an apatchy beard.
Being tall and longevity are not linked.
Sounds like the height of vanity.
Just shy of 6'4" To quote Wilt Chamberlain, "Chicks dig tall guys."
My pants would be to short.
Originally Posted by gunchamp
Originally Posted by Verylargeboots
That is hilarious.



Which 'Firegay will be the first one to feel the need to have the surgery to get to 6'4"?
Im 6'4. Can we go shorter?

I like being a midget, I get midget sex all the time.....
I'm at about 5.8 1/2 - 5.9 now, and I was about 5.10 when I was young, but 46 years of picking up and carrying boxes of tile, rolls of carpet, and moving furniture has had its effect.
4winds;
Top of the morning to you sir, I hope your section of the great state of Georgia is getting seasonally appropriate and tolerable weather and that you're well.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it and the chuckle.

A long time hunting partner who is tall enough that on occasion when we're glassing has stood behind me and rested his binos on my cowboy hat also has a patchy beard and mustache.

On the Honda S2000 subject, I thought I wanted one when I was hunting for a midlife crisis red ragtop, but settled on a 40th Anniversary Mustang because while I could get into an S2000, getting out was a 5 minute task!!

Frankly I'm not sure who those things are designed for other than small jockey's perhaps?

Maybe not all the model years were quite that tight, but the one I tried was much, much to small and as mentioned I'm 5'6" on a tall day and about 150lb.

As you've said its a trade off, so bigger folks can pack more, but will wear out things like hiking boots and vehicle and equipment seats noticeably faster than smaller folks.

For a last chuckle, I worked for awhile with a wonderful fellow named Wayne at a small cabinet shop where we did everything from build to install. I want to say Wayne was about 6'2" or so and while he'd tease me about my height for sure, when it was time to install the Lazy Susan hardware that was my job and I'd hold the upper boxes while he put the mounting screws in because he could reach.

I will say that back in the day when we had horses and did a fair bit of packing and horse back hunting, sometimes I had to reposition Carly the Appy a few times on the side of the mountain as it was just a little too far up to load her! laugh

[Linked Image]

That's me finishing up loading my tall hunting partner's only horse hunt mulie buck.

He and the horses just didn't gel either, though he did try, I'll give him that.

Best to you all today.

Dwayne
Originally Posted by Dutch
Originally Posted by 4winds
I think the best height is 5'10". At least from a convenience standpoint. Guns, clothes, cars, etc. are all designed around that number. The only exception is women, which apparently is a big enough deal to want to screw with your body structure for 80 large.

Height is pretty highly correlated to income. Employees rate taller managers higher. In other words, there’s clear economic disadvantages to being short as a male.
Maybe for an employed person but not for a business owner. IMO.

I had a subscription to Builder Magazine, a young guy wrote an article about almost never winning bids for custom builds. He was 30 years old- tall- in good physical shape and dressed nice when meeting . A friend told him that people are likely intimidated by you. He said but I'm super nice and respectful to people- friend said 'that doesn't matter'.
He gave it some thought and went to a professional make-up store- put a bit of grey-dye stuff in his hair. Wore older pants/shirt/shoes and pushed his belly out plus some bad posture. Started winning bids for new home builds with his new look.
I’m happy at 6’1. The world isnt designed for big n tall people.
Originally Posted by stxhunter
I'm at about 5.8 1/2 - 5.9 now, and I was about 5.10 when I was young, but 46 years of picking up and carrying boxes of tile, rolls of carpet, and moving furniture has had its effect.

That's true- I used to be a tad over 6'-2'' now 6'- 1/2''- I've broke my Back twice . I have a few paper thin fibrous-disc T-10/11/12, L-1&2
plus wear from work and age.
More than once I've read that people are taller when they first wake in the morning- your joints have fully hydrated then.

Men 3/4'' to 1-1/4 inch the article stated.
Originally Posted by Hogwild7
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.


Same. The world's built around short fat people.
Originally Posted by BC30cal
4winds;
Top of the morning to you sir, I hope your section of the great state of Georgia is getting seasonally appropriate and tolerable weather and that you're well.

Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it and the chuckle.

A long time hunting partner who is tall enough that on occasion when we're glassing has stood behind me and rested his binos on my cowboy hat also has a patchy beard and mustache.

On the Honda S2000 subject, I thought I wanted one when I was hunting for a midlife crisis red ragtop, but settled on a 40th Anniversary Mustang because while I could get into an S2000, getting out was a 5 minute task!!

Frankly I'm not sure who those things are designed for other than small jockey's perhaps?

Maybe not all the model years were quite that tight, but the one I tried was much, much to small and as mentioned I'm 5'6" on a tall day and about 150lb.

As you've said its a trade off, so bigger folks can pack more, but will wear out things like hiking boots and vehicle and equipment seats noticeably faster than smaller folks.

For a last chuckle, I worked for awhile with a wonderful fellow named Wayne at a small cabinet shop where we did everything from build to install. I want to say Wayne was about 6'2" or so and while he'd tease me about my height for sure, when it was time to install the Lazy Susan hardware that was my job and I'd hold the upper boxes while he put the mounting screws in because he could reach.

I will say that back in the day when we had horses and did a fair bit of packing and horse back hunting, sometimes I had to reposition Carly the Appy a few times on the side of the mountain as it was just a little too far up to load her! laugh

[Linked Image]

That's me finishing up loading my tall hunting partner's only horse hunt mulie buck.

He and the horses just didn't gel either, though he did try, I'll give him that.

Best to you all today.

Dwayne

Thanks Dwayne! All the best to you and yours! The weather has been great lately and keeps getting better. We'll be starting pollen season shortly followed by skeeter season a month later. Y'all still buried in snow? I'd love to venture in your neck of the woods someday for the kind folks and good hunting and fishing!

I'm far more interested in the decency of people and someone's capabilities than the trivial crap so many people invest in.
Originally Posted by Boarmaster123
I’m happy at 6’1. The world isnt designed for big n tall people.
I'm 6'10" and agree with your statement.
I am 6’. Seems like the guys I know who are taller, older, and who hunt a lot are getting knees replaced.

Does height effect wear and tear on the knees?
Maybe three inches longer...
Nope

I struggle with being bullet proof at 5' 9"! Could not imagine my ego at 6foot
One house I bought I was sick of everything being built for short people so I ripped out all the cabinets and built everything 6" higher so normal people could wash their hands at the sink without stooping over. Kids used a little stepstool. Screw em, they'll grow! LOL
The nitwit in the article wants to add several more inches to his legs in addition to what he already did. He obviously hasn't considered what a ridiculous caricature he will be with no corresponding increase in torso length.
I don't need 3" longer legs, as I'd feel like I was on stilts. I'm about 5'9" with longish legs and a shorter torso. My younger brother is about 6" taller than me, but his inseam is only an inch or two longer. Totally different builds.

I do wish my upper body matched my lower a bit better just so that a standard LOP rifle/shotgun would fit a touch better in winter clothes.....lol. I generally order/modify my rifle stocks at 13 1/8" or 13 1/4" LOP.
if i was young again in high school with the same ability i had at 6ft 2 inch and then add 3 inches i would have done well .
Back in the medieval days, they had a very effective and inexpensive method for lengthening a person's body. It was called "the Rack." Worked every time. grin

L.W.
I'm 6'4" always wanted to be about 6' but not enough to cut 4" off my legs. Rio7
At 6'3" plus, I'm pretty content, you find out that most things cars/clothing/airplanes aren't really designed for people over 6', with some exceptions. Two of my three sons are over 6', my three nieces and one nephew are all over 6', some say it's our Dutch ancestry. All three of my nieces got full ride scholarships at great universities playing volleyball so it's worked out for them pretty well.
I’m 6’3” I like my height. I wouldn’t want to be shorter but wouldn’t want to be much taller either.
Hell, I’d like to be as tall as I was when I was 20. That schitt settles……
Originally Posted by DHN
The nitwit in the article wants to add several more inches to his legs in addition to what he already did. He obviously hasn't considered what a ridiculous caricature he will be with no corresponding increase in torso length.


Bingo. He will look bizarre.
Originally Posted by RIO7
I'm 6'4" always wanted to be about 6' but not enough to cut 4" off my legs. Rio7


LOL
Originally Posted by Pappy348
Hell, I’d like to be as tall as I was when I was 20. That schitt settles……
No shlt, I lost two inches and gained two shoe sizes......
I'm 6-2 and it's only a help for reaching stuff on high shelves, otherwise it's only good for bumping your head on things.
This thread has me reconsidering my upcoming penis reduction surgery
Originally Posted by Phillip_Nesmith
I'm 6-2 and it's only a help for reaching stuff on high shelves, otherwise it's only good for bumping your head on things.

Funny thing, when I look around, all the long term employees I know at fish farms are taller than average. Never thought of it much, until I hired a short lady.

Turns out, when you’re in waders in 4’ of water and 5’3”, your nick name becomes “bobber”, lol. No traction whatsoever. Had to drop the water another 6” so she could move the grader.

So, yes, being tall comes in handy. It would be even better if you could find waders that fit!
Originally Posted by Phillip_Nesmith
I'm 6-2 and it's only a help for reaching stuff on high shelves, otherwise it's only good for bumping your head on things.

6'5" here and I concur!
I got to tour one of the boomer subs (missile launcher, not old fart); one of the crewmen was at least 2" taller than my 6'5". I bumped my head several times, don't know how he stayed conscious long enough to adapt.
One day, when I was driving the Big Rig to Texas, I took a break in Mobile and took a tour of USS Drum, a WW2 submarine set there on the dock.

Man, that was some tight quarters. All the little doorways were about 5 foot 8. Tiny, crowded small spaces. I got claustrophobic and I couldn't stand it. I am 6-2 and there was no way I could have served on that sub in WW2. Give me a Browning .50 and let me be a waist gunner on a B-17 over Schweinfurt, but Dear God keep me off of a WW2 submarine.

Honestly I think they had to choose small guys to work those subs I can't see how us tall guys could have managed it.
Originally Posted by simonkenton7
One day, when I was driving the Big Rig to Texas, I took a break in Mobile and took a tour of USS Drum, a WW2 submarine set there on the dock.

Man, that was some tight quarters. All the little doorways were about 5 foot 8. Tiny, crowded small spaces. I got claustrophobic and I couldn't stand it. I am 6-2 and there was no way I could have served on that sub in WW2. Give me a Browning .50 and let me be a waist gunner on a B-17 over Schweinfurt, but Dear God keep me off of a WW2 submarine.

Honestly I think they had to choose small guys to work those subs I can't see how us tall guys could have managed it.

Wife and I toured a WWII Jap sub in San Diego. Judging by the door ways and their sleeping quarters, those guys couldn't have been more than 4 feet tall!
Another 3" taller?
Hmmm.... that would make me an even 6'! I'm currently 5'9"....or what age hasn't shrunk me in the last 73 years!
Head on car wreck may have cost me an inch or so!

More than anything else, I'm glad I'm not 3" shorter! 😉

My youngest has a friend married to a 6 foot tall redhead!
Gorgeous woman! She said when she was in high school, "growing pains" took on a whole new meaning!
She said many nights she lay sleepless because her legs and arms hurt so badly.
She went to a doctor. "Yep!", he told her! "Growing pains!"
Originally Posted by RHClark
Originally Posted by Mike_S
I’m content at 6ft2.
I'm 6'2 also and can't tell where it ever did me a damn bit of good.

6' 2" has been enough for me. Height has its ups as well as its downsides.
The [bleep] they waste time and money on instead of saving peoples lives has always been a weird one.

Cosmetics should come way behind anything that could help folks medically. IMO
Originally Posted by Steve
Originally Posted by Hogwild7
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.


Same. The world's built around short fat people.
Hey I resemble that remark easy on us little people.
Originally Posted by Hogwild7
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.
Originally Posted by Dutch
Originally Posted by Hogwild7
I am 6' 5" and it is hard enough to buy clothes.
And air travel, cars, furniture, among others.
I’m 6’4” and would love to drop an inch or two. Everything would fit better.
If everyone donated enough, we could give all those inches to Big Stick and he could see over the counter at the candy store…
I'm 6'1 and don't want to be 6'4. or maybe I'm now 6'0, but don't want to be 6'3. Either way it's a no.
It's surprising to me how many of you 6 foot + wish you weren't.
I’m 6’5” and have been since I was 14 years old.
Wouldn’t want to be shorter but definitely don’t want to be any taller.
HS freshman I was 5'6. HS senior I was 5'10. College sophomore I was 6'2. 53 years later, I'm down to 6'0. Hope is I don't get back to 5'6 again.
Originally Posted by Rooster7
It's surprising to me how many of you 6 foot + wish you weren't.

The world is not made for people much over 6 feet. Gets harder to find clothes and shoes that fit. A lot of cars are uncomfortable. Counters are too low and hard on one’s back if you have to work on them too long. Airplanes are torture. You wind up hitting your head on a lot of things. I could go on.

On the plus side, a lot of girls prefer taller guys.
I’m 6’4” but have a really long torso and short legs(32”inseam). Maybe I need to go to Vegas for a couple inches of legs!

Wonder if they extend both above and below the knee?
Originally Posted by 3dtestify
Originally Posted by KEVIN_JAY
No, but 3 inches longer would be nice.
Thats what my wife has been telling me! 😂

Your wife told you it would be nice if Kevin was 3 inches longer? shocked
No, I've been shrinking with back issues so I'm down to 6'2". Being too big to fit has always been my problem. I wear a 14 wide shoe most places carry up to 13. I wear a 2xlt shirt and some places have 2x but rarely in tall.

Vehicles generally don't have enough leg room or have way too wide of center consoles so my knee is banging on it. And flying is never very comfortable for me. At least with jeans I usually wear a 36 to 38 waist which are common but almost too common because those sizes are often sold out.

In college I was 6'3" + a little and weighed 240. I wore a 56" suit coat and had a 34" waist. I couldn't buy a suit except cheaper ones at like jc penny's where you could buy a jacket and pants separately. The pants that come with a 56 jacket were too big to even be taken in. It's no fun being a little bigger than normal. The world seems built for people 5'11" and under.

Bb
Originally Posted by ol_mike
More than once I've read that people are taller when they first wake in the morning- your joints have fully hydrated then.

Men 3/4'' to 1-1/4 inch the article stated.

I like to soak and hydrate my joint. Makes it longer.
Originally Posted by 12344mag
Originally Posted by gunchamp
Originally Posted by Verylargeboots
That is hilarious.



Which 'Firegay will be the first one to feel the need to have the surgery to get to 6'4"?
Im 6'4. Can we go shorter?

I like being a midget, I get midget sex all the time.....

But you got those gigantor meat hooks for hands going for you. Which is nice.

I think there’s a midget throwing contest at the Embassy next week. Put that Velcro onesy of yours on and let’s make some $$$!
Originally Posted by jaguartx
Originally Posted by ol_mike
More than once I've read that people are taller when they first wake in the morning- your joints have fully hydrated then.

Men 3/4'' to 1-1/4 inch the article stated.

I like to soak and hydrate my joint(s). Makes it longer.

Spend 15 minutes every morning and every evening, lying in the bed exercising my hip, trying to keep from shrinking below my already wreck shortened 5'9"!
I am six-three, I love being a big man.

When I was a kid I was short for my age. In eighth grade at a big high school in Atlanta, I was 12 years old, and 105 pounds. Big 17 year old bullies used to slap me around in the halls.

Funny, when I was 19, I was 6-3 and 195. Plus I took 2 years of Tae Kwon Do. Funny, as a big man with a certain swagger to his style, the bullies left me alone, because they knew I could, and would kick their ass.
Originally Posted by strosfann
I’m 6’4” but have a really long torso and short legs(32”inseam). Maybe I need to go to Vegas for a couple inches of legs!

Wonder if they extend both above and below the knee?

Same issue here, 6'3", 31" inseam. Pants are easy, but trying to find shirts long enough that aren't as big around as a barrel sucks.
© 24hourcampfire