Plastic surgery has become widely popular and can be done on any part of the body that causes insecurities or seemingly needs enhancement. However, some people come to regret their decisions, including a woman who spent over $160,000 on rods to extend the length of her legs.
Plastic Surgery Gone Arry
Theresia Fischer is a German resident and social media influencer, who like other influencers, has a goal to look perfect and attract a large audience. As such, she’s undergone a few look enhancing procedures, including one to extend her legs.
At just 24-years-old, the woman who once stood at around 5 and a half feet tall now has a 5.5 inch metal extending rod in each leg. The whopping total for her procedure was $161,000. Sadly, she regrets her decision and has shared her journey with followers.
Feeling Shame
She shared the heartbreaking truth behind her decision to undergo the procedure. Purportedly, the influencer had been in an emotionally abusive relationship and was prompted by her ex to get the work done.
“I am ashamed because I consented to an operation that shouldn’t have had,” Fischer explained. “I’ve never dealt with that before because I’ve always been happy with my body.”
Physical Implications
Unfortunately, she’s not just ashamed for having the work done, she’s suffered from physical repercussions as well. As a result of the work, she’s developed periosteum inflammation, which impacts the connective tissue surrounding bones. Furthermore, her body didn’t take to the procedure as planned and she is “longing” to undo the damage.
Giving Up on Dreams
Although she’s appeared in several reality series, she had to quit Battle of the Reality Stars in Germany because it was “challenging, especially when running or moving quickly around the set.”
“When I had to run a little or be faster – it’s just strange to run with metal in your legs,” she said, according to Mirror.
Developing a Condition
Purportedly, the procedure is “complex” and is used to treat noticeable differences in leg length, according to Cleveland Clinic. Furthermore, it’s a high risk operation, despite being far safer now than ever before, Professor Hamish Simpson told BBC.
“The techniques and technology have improved substantially over the past couple of decades, making it a safer procedure,” he said. “However, as well as growing more bone – more muscle, nerve, blood vessels, and skin have to be grown and the procedure remains an extremely complex process, with a high complication rate.”
Leg Procedures with Adverse Effects
Weirdly, Fischer isn’t the only person to experience regret after undergoing a leg enhancement operation. Elaine Foo is a 49-year-old woman who’s had several operations since 2016, when she opted for a leg-lengthening procedure that went in an unfortunate direction.
“Painful Memories”
Now, Foo has had to live with painful reminders of her choices as she can’t hide the thick purple scars on her legs. Meanwhile, she faces regular physical pain and at one point had a broken nail in one of the rods. Additionally, she’s suffered mental and emotional turmoil, losing out on a case of negligence.
Losing a Case and the War
After needing the nail repaired, and spending her life’s savings, Foo sued for negligence because she felt that her operation had been mishandled, and she’d suffered greatly as a result. However, the doctor says that Foo had been made aware of the complications that could arise and agreed to the procedure anyway.
Obsessed with Body Image
Foo’s decision to undergo the initial operation was also motivated by issues with self-image. Like Fischer, she’d been led to believe there was something undesirable about her height. “At 12, I was taller than most girls,” she explained. “By 14, I was suddenly shorter than everyone. Over time it became an obsession. Taller means better. Taller means more beautiful. I just felt that taller people had more chances.”
Struggles with Body Dysmorphia
She adds that it was an “overwhelming obsession” into her adult life and she developed body dysmorphia. However, she has a very different outlook on the leg-lengthening procedure today. “I lost the best years of my life. I know people like to hear the word regret and if someone asked me today, would you have done it, if you knew you were going to go through all this? I would say a definite, ‘No, thank you very much!” Foo explained.
Embracing Change and Aging
It’s becoming a common trend for people to embrace their natural body, aging, flaws, and all. As such, these women aren’t the first to regret their decision to undergo enhancement and later regret the decision. For example, certain celebrities and influencers are embracing the natural aging process, removing fillers and undoing former procedures, or stepping onto the red carpet sans makeup, hair undyed. While some plastic surgery procedures can be beneficial, and help some through a trauma like a severe car accident, there are always going to be possible side effects and in many cases, it’s not worth the adverse risks.