Different people have different height standards they wish to have; while some prefer to be tall, others see shorter stature as more suitable for themselves. However, one particularly noticeable trend in recent years is the significantly increased interest in altering physical appearances. With this growing interest, the development of surgeries for height increase or height reduction has also considerably increased. Are you one of those who are unhappy with your height? If so, you can continue reading our article to get detailed information about height reduction surgery and find the answer to the question, "Is there an age limit for height reduction surgery?".
There is indeed an age limit for height reduction surgery, and there are biological reasons for this limit. First and foremost, it's important to note that our bodies have growth plates that assist in our physical growth and development; these plates are actively working during the period before the end of our puberty and facilitate the natural lengthening of our height. However, with the end of puberty, which roughly spans between the ages of 18 to 21, these plates close, and it is no longer possible for us to grow naturally. It is precisely within this time frame that undergoing height increase or reduction surgery becomes possible. However, undergoing surgical height procedures during the period when the growth plates are still open is not recommended by doctors.
Minimum Age Limit for Height Reduction Surgery
We can use puberty period as a basis to give a minimum age for height reduction surgery. Individuals who have not yet completed puberty should not have this surgery. Although the end of puberty varies from person to person, it approximately corresponds to the age range of 18-21. If you have completed this age range, you can get information from your doctor about whether your growth plates have closed or not, and you can also find out whether you are suitable for surgery after the necessary tests and examinations.
Maximum Age Limit for Height Reduction Surgery
The maximum age limit recommended by our doctor for height reduction surgery is 50-55 years of age. The main reason for this situation is that the amount of collagen produced by our bones decreases after our 50s. Collagen is a type of protein that helps cartilage production and is beneficial for bone health. Decreased collagen production makes your post-operative bone healing process more difficult, which is why our doctor constantly emphasizes that having surgery at the appropriate age range is very important for a healthy healing process.
Why Shouldn't We Have Height Reduction Surgery Before Puberty?
Growth plates are the areas that enable bone lengthening. These plates, which are active until the end of puberty, help the individual to complete the natural growth process. If height reduction surgery is performed before these growth plates fully close, since these plates are still active, the individual's height might continue to grow naturally. This poses a risk of not achieving the desired result after the surgery or the effects of the surgery being partially or entirely failed. Additionally, surgical interventions during a period when the growth plates have not yet closed might damage these plates, which could have adverse effects on bone health in the long run. For these reasons, doctors typically recommend waiting for the growth plates to close completely before considering height reduction surgery.
Height reduction surgery is a surgery that is much more difficult and requires a longer recovery period than other types of surgery. Not only surgery-focused but also the intensive physical therapy required during the recovery process should also be taken into consideration. An intensive physical therapy program is needed for your leg to heal healthily. Therefore, it is very important to do research and find answers to all the questions you have before you decide to have this surgery. Additionally, it is very beneficial for you to internalize your doctor's instructions and recommendations before having surgery.
Is It Possible to Shorten Height Naturally?
There is no existing method of shortening height naturally. If you think you are tall and want to shorten it, the only way to do this is through height shortening surgery, which is a surgical operation. In your first meeting, your doctor will ask you for some tests and examinations, and then after evaluating all your results, he will decide whether you are suitable for the surgery. If there is no problem to have surgery, a program will determine that you can be in a short time.
If you want to get more detailed information about height shortening surgery, you can watch the answers of our patient who has experienced this surgery from the video we shared on the side. Listening to the experiences of someone who has gone through this process one-on-one will help you answer the questions in your mind more clearly. For any other questions you may have, you can contact our patient representatives directly.
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