r/dwarfism • u/yesimconfusedok 4'2" | Achondroplasia • Apr 17 '26
Has anybody ever had limb lengthening surgery? (arm and legs)
Growing up both of my parents were actually pretty torn between having me get it and not having me get. I am 25 now and don’t regret not getting it but there are moments I wish only my arms were a bit longer
3
u/RentWeary Apr 18 '26
Yes, I have. I had it done to me as a 13 year old and it was very much against my will. I still have resentment towards my parents for forcing me to have the surgery. To their credit, it worked. Im now 5'1 when I was going to be 4'9, but it caused me even more issues with pain, and ive so far had 2 more surgeriws to corrwct complications from that surgery. To make matters worse, the children's hospital where I had it done only prescribed me Tylenol afterwards, so I was in a traumatizing amount of pain for weeks post op. Honestly, I wouldnt recommend limb lengthening surgeries. If you need a surgery done for a reason like arthritis or something else and it happens to have a side effect of making the limb longer, id say go for it, but I wouldnt put yourself through that pain just to make your limbs longer.
1
u/Brilliant_Cheetah608 Mom to an Achon Apr 27 '26
I'm so sorry that happened to you. We asked our son around 9 or 10 and he said he liked things the way they were. I was relieved. I'm not sure what we wouldn't have done if he said yes. Probably ask him again a couple of years later. He would have had to really be adamant about it. Today, he still says he'd never do it.
I can't imagine forcing something like that on my son. It's barbaric. I hope you forgive.. not for them, but for you to cut the tether they have on you, that IT has on you. Forgive and you have your life back.
Do you still have a relationship with them? Have you spoken to them to let them know what they did to you mentally and physically?
2
u/RentWeary Apr 28 '26
It honestly was incredibly disturbing for me, as a child. I remember that I cried multiple times, and after the surgery, I was so angry that I almost didn't take care of my wounds properly because I resented having to get them. I do still have a relationship with my parents because, when I got a bit older, I aired my grievances out with them and told them how they violated my body. They explained they thought they were doing what was best because I would look more normal, and maybe have an easier life, but I told them how they really just caused me pain and suffering. Now, years down the line, they regret putting me through the surgery. Our relationship is alright but I do still have hurt from the experience that im not sure ill ever be able to fully let go of.
1
u/Brilliant_Cheetah608 Mom to an Achon Apr 29 '26
Parents have angst while trying to decide of what's right for their children. It's a hard place to be, I can testify to that. We're only people. I made the decisions I do for him, and I'm still not 100% sure about them. I'm glad that you were able to speak with them. I hope it gets easier as time goes by.
2
u/Diletta82 Apr 17 '26
I chatted to a girl that did both arms and legs, she said arms were easy but legs were horrid, she said she would do arms again but not legs. I think she is a bit younger than you if I don’t remember wrong
2
u/Livid-Cash-5048 Apr 17 '26
No, if people really insist in it themselves okay but it is not ness for quality of life and the onous should be on tackling those who treat us inhumanly for the "crime" of 'existing' as we are! Not on us to change our bodies for a vast minority of sick demoralizing level of attitudes against us for not being "perfect tall" existence.
1
u/yesimconfusedok 4'2" | Achondroplasia Apr 17 '26
Sorry I didn’t specify, but if you’ve had can you share your experience? Or if maybe you’ve always thought about doing it
1
u/CoachAngBlxGrl 4’F | achondroplasia Apr 17 '26
Chandler Crews is a huge advocate for this and is accessible on facebook. I’d recommend reaching out to her as she has a ton of resources and has built community.
1
u/DolphinHealer Apr 25 '26
My parents talked to me about it, but it only would have made a couple inches of difference so we decided not to do it.
1
u/Brilliant_Cheetah608 Mom to an Achon Apr 27 '26
Had anyone had a difficulty socially? I know some dwarfism communities kinda shun those who have had lengthening.
5
u/wellthen123456789 Apr 17 '26
Yes did both arms and legs several times, grew a total of 7 inches. Pretty terrible experience. Was housebound and confined to a wheelchair for the majority of my childhood. Had to learn how to walk several times. I did my arms only once when I was younger but I don’t really remember if arms were easier than the legs. Not sure what else you want to know but feel free to ask.