Woman Who Paid $161,000 To Extend Her Legs By 5.5 Inches Left With Huge Regrets
A German influencer who once made headlines for undergoing a costly and controversial cosmetic surgery to increase her height is now opening up about her regrets—years after the procedure changed her life.
The Price of Height: A $161,000 Transformation
Theresia Fischer, a former contestant on Celebrity Big Brother Germany, underwent a leg-lengthening procedure at the age of 24, spending an estimated $161,000 to add over 5.5 inches to her height.
Standing at 5 feet 6 inches before the operation, Fischer’s height increased to over 6 feet after surgeons inserted adjustable telescopic rods into her lower legs, gradually extending the bones over time.
Though initially satisfied with the transformation, Fischer has since expressed a deep sense of regret, both physically and emotionally.
“I am ashamed because I consented to an operation that shouldn’t have happened,” she said in a 2023 interview. “I’ve always been happy with my body.”
A Complex and Risky Procedure
Leg-lengthening surgery is not new, but it remains one of the most complex elective procedures available today. Traditionally used to address leg length discrepancies or bone deformities, the operation is now increasingly pursued for cosmetic height enhancement.
According to medical experts from the Cleveland Clinic, the surgery involves not just extending bone, but also adapting surrounding tissues—muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and skin—as the limbs lengthen. This significantly increases the potential for complications.
Professor Hamish Simpson of the British Orthopaedic Association emphasized that while techniques have improved, the process is still considered high-risk due to its complexity and the long recovery time.
“The procedure remains extremely complex, with a high complication rate,” he told the BBC.
Personal and Physical Aftermath
Fischer, now 31, revealed in a radio interview that she had not entirely chosen the procedure on her own. She claimed her former partner played a role in persuading her to undergo the surgery, reportedly making comments like:
“Theresia, you know I like big ladies… You could get up to 14 centimeters more.”
These repeated remarks, she said, gradually eroded her confidence.
Since the surgery, Fischer has experienced periosteum inflammation, a painful condition affecting the connective tissue surrounding bones. This health issue has forced her to step away from several television opportunities, including a version of Battle of the Reality Stars in Germany.
“It’s just strange to run with metal in your legs,” she admitted, explaining the difficulty of performing physically demanding tasks during filming.
In addition, doctors informed her that the fibula bone in one leg has not developed as expected, leading to further complications and discomfort.
Looking Ahead: Hoping for Removal of Metal Rods
Despite her initial excitement about the height change, Fischer now says she’s “longing for the day” when she can have the metal rods removed from her legs and return to a more natural state of being.
Her story has sparked renewed conversations around the emotional and physical consequences of cosmetic surgery trends, particularly those fueled by social media and external pressures.
