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A Miami lawyer who spent roughly $85,000 to add 8 centimeters to his height says he plans to undergo further surgery to reach 190 centimeters.
Hugo Ramirez, an attorney based in Miami, Florida, underwent limb-lengthening surgery to grow from 175 centimeters to 183 centimeters, British outlet Metro and other media reported June 3. He said he decided to have the procedure after concluding that height was a competitive advantage in his professional life.
Long dissatisfied with his stature, Ramirez said men who stand at 175 centimeters "have to work harder in social and professional settings." He said he wanted "a greater presence and more confidence."
Ramirez had the surgery at a hospital in Las Vegas, paying approximately $85,000.
The procedure involved cutting the femur and inserting an adjustable metal rod inside the bone. As the bone regenerates, it gradually lengthens — typically about 1 millimeter per day — with full growth taking several months.
Recovery was grueling. Ramirez said his muscles could not keep pace with his lengthening legs, forcing him to relearn how to walk from scratch. "Without my wife's help, I couldn't even go to the bathroom or shower," he said. For roughly three months after the surgery, he was unable to bear weight on his legs and spent most of his time in bed.
"It wasn't until I reached 183 centimeters that I felt like I'd truly found myself," Ramirez said. He added that his wife, when wearing heels, used to appear taller than him — but no longer.
Having extended his femurs in this round of surgery, Ramirez said he plans to lengthen his tibias next, with a goal of ultimately reaching 190 centimeters.
choigo@heraldcorp.com
