Yes, Pedro Pascal’s Height-Increasing Surgery in Materialists Is Real—Here Are the Risks of the Painful Procedure
Jason Pham
If you were surprised to learn that the height-increasing surgery in Materialists was real, you’re not the only one. After the movie—which saw Pedro Pascal‘s character confess to getting bone-lengthening surgery to increase his height by six inches—premiered, fans took to social media to express their shock (and concern) at the real-life procedure.
“gonna be haunted by the concept of leg lengthening surgery for the rest of my days thanks to #Materialists,” a user wrote on X. Another user posted, “My takeaway from the Materialists is that even though I’m mid and chopped and nonbinary I’ll always be valued because I’m 6’0. I also want to get the surgery where they break your legs and make you taller so I can be a giant and never wear pants that fit me ever again.” One more user wrote, “As someone under 5ft my main takeaway from The Materialists is to look up that height surgery – not for dating purposes, but so that I can stop mountain climbing shelves in the grocery store.”
What is the height-increasing surgery?
Height-increasing surgery, more commonly known as limb-lengthening surgery, is a procedure that’s performed on the femur (thigh bone) or tibia (shin bone) to make the leg bone longer. While the procedure—which can also be performed on the humerus (upper arm bone) and radius/ulna (forearm bones)—is meant to treat those with skeletal dysplasia, bone growth issues, and bone length differences, it can also make the recipient taller as seen with Pascal’s Harry Castillo in Materialists.
While Harry grew by six inches in Materialists, Cleveland Clinic reports that, in most cases, patients can expect to grow their bone by up to two inches per surgery. The procedure starts with X-rays to determine how long your bone is. Once the surgery is determined, the patient is put under anaesthesia as the surgeon performs an osteotomy (cutting the affected bone into two segments) before attaching a limb-lengthening device to two segments of the bone.
Patients can choose two options for the limb-lengthening device: an external fixator (a thin, light metal frame attached to the bone with pins and wires, which stick out several inches from the body) or an internal rod (a screw-like device inside the bone that isn’t visible outside the body.)
After the surgery, recipients won’t be able to walk for several weeks as their bones heal and must use a wheelchair, crutches or other aids. After they heal, the bones will enter a distraction phase that lasts about two months. The phase is when the two bone segments start to pull apart from each other. As they separate, the human body creates new bone to fill the gap between the segments.
What are the height-increasing surgery risks?
Risks for height-increasing surgery include bones that don’t consolidate or harden properly; bones that don’t reach the desire length; damage to muscles or nerves; infections at the incision site or in the bone; pin-site infections for those who have external devices; and stiffness in joints or muscles in the lengthened leg (or arm.)
There’s also the issue of pain and soreness after surgery when the anesthesia wears off, which many providers prescribe pain relievers for. Cleveland Clinic also warns those who undergo the surgery to call their provider immediately if they experience blood, pus or fluid draining from their pin sites; chest pain or shortness of breath; fever; nausea and vomiting; numbness or tingling from their lengthened arm or leg; pain or swelling in their limbs; or redness or red streaks from their pin sites or incisions.
What’s the height-increasing surgery cost?
According to HeightLengthening.com, the cost for height-increasing surgery inthe United States can cost more than $120,000 or even upwards of $250,000 with some providers if both the tibia and femor are lengthened. In Europe, the price can range from $55,000 to $80,000, while in countries in like South Korea, Thailand, and Singapore, the procedure can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $70,000. The site also notes that external devices can reduce the cost of the surgery by $40,000.
The site also notes that surgery costs can vary per person and depend on a number of factors including surgeon fees, and the cost of bilaterial precise rod implants, hospital stays, operating room and surgery recovery room charges, X-rays and radiologist fees, hospital diagnostic tests, and office visits.
Did Pedro Pascal get height-increasing surgery in real life?
No, Pascal didn’t get height-increasing surgery in real life. In Materialists, he’s six feet tall, while in real life Pascal is 5’11”.
