Theresia Fischer, an influencer and former Celebrity Big Brother Germany contestant, was 5’6″ when she decided to undergo the unusual leg-lengthening procedure at the age of 24.
While she was initially thrilled with the dramatic change, it seems her feelings have shifted—with some regrets now surfacing.
Leg-lengthening surgery is a highly complex procedure designed to gradually extend the length of the leg bones.
While it’s commonly used to correct leg length discrepancies, it can also help address certain conditions that lead to irregular bone growth or shorter limbs, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Given its complexity, leg-lengthening surgery isn’t without risks, and health experts warn that some patients may experience long-term complications.
Professor Hamish Simpson of the British Orthopaedic Association told the BBC, “Techniques and technology have advanced significantly over the past few decades, which has made the procedure much safer.”
“However, it’s not just about growing bone—muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and skin must also adapt and grow. The procedure remains highly complex and still carries a significant risk of complications,” he added.
At just 24 years old, Fischer underwent the grueling leg-lengthening procedure, which involved implanting adjustable telescopic rods into her shins that gradually extended her legs over time.
Before the surgery, she stood at 5’6″—but after the operation, she now measures over 6 feet tall.
In an August 2023 interview with radio network MDR Jump, 31-year-old Fischer claimed that her ex-boyfriend pressured her into undergoing the leg-lengthening surgery.
According to the Daily Star, she recalled him saying, “Theresia, you know I like tall women. I’d really love it if you did this. You could gain up to 14 centimeters.”
She added, “He’d say things like, ‘You can’t do anything without me. You need me.’ And when you hear that 20, 30, even 70 times—you start to believe you’re nothing without him.”
