‘Too Tall to Love’: Women Undergo Painful Height Reduction Surgery in Turkey for Confidence, Dating

An increasing number of women are traveling to Turkey to undergo extreme height-reduction surgery, in a bid to feel more confident, improve their relationships, and reshape their self-image.

Offered by cosmetic clinics in Istanbul, the controversial procedure involves cutting the leg bone, removing a section of the femur or lower leg, and stabilizing it with a metal rod until the bone heals — a process that can take months and involves considerable pain and rehabilitation.

According to a report by Daily Mail UK, surgeons say the operation can reduce a person’s height by up to 5.5cm in the thigh and 3cm in the lower leg.

Although clinics claim the surgery leaves no visible scarring, patients typically endure weeks in a wheelchair, intense physiotherapy, and long-term recovery.

For many, the motivation is personal. Some women say they’ve always felt “too tall to be attractive,” citing surveys that show many men prefer shorter partners.

One American woman who flew to Istanbul last year underwent surgery to reduce her height from 172cm to 167.9cm. Four weeks after the procedure, she was still on crutches and undergoing physiotherapy. Another woman reportedly shaved nearly 5cm off her height for similar reasons.

Others cite medical concerns, such as leg length discrepancies or chronic pain.

Despite the rising interest, the procedure carries serious risks, including delayed bone healing, joint dislocation, muscle weakness, blood clots, and — in rare cases — life-threatening complications. Surgeons admit the risks are higher than those of standard operations like knee replacements.

Still, demand is growing. A clinic named Height Reduction in Istanbul reports performing 10 surgeries since 2023, often as part of medical tourism packages that include city tours, restaurant outings, and boat trips to ease the recovery experience.

Before surgery, patients must undergo psychological counselling to ensure they have realistic expectations, as the emotional toll of recovery can be severe.

Some experts argue that societal pressure, rather than personal health, is driving the trend. While tall women are often seen as empowered, some face stereotypes in dating and society that lead them to seek drastic changes.

“Being tall isn’t always a blessing,” one expert noted, pointing to studies linking taller stature in women to higher risks of cancer and conditions like endometriosis.

One Swedish study cited in the report found that for every 10cm above average height, the risk of cancer in women increases by 18%.

Despite the physical and emotional risks, for some women, the promise of feeling ‘just right’ — a little shorter, a little more accepted — is worth the pain.