The Materialists Leg-Lengthening Surgery — Explained

Warning: spoilers for “Materialists” ahead.

A24’s latest rom-com presents audiences with a unique but pressing question: what would you give to grow a couple inches?

By now we know that height is (unfortunately) a major factor when it comes to dating. In fact, one 2014 Journal of Family Issues study found that nearly 49 percent of women prefer to date men taller than them, while additional research attributes this preference to “masculine images of dominance and protector.” As recently seen in “Materialists,” however, there’s a fix, albeit painful, for those who come up a bit short: leg-lengthening surgery.

In the film, Lucy (Dakota Johnson) is a skilled New York City matchmaker who also happens to witness just how often men fib about their heights in order to secure a date. But height is undeniably an important consideration for many of her women clients, too. So much so that Lucy’s colleague notes some men have undergone leg-lengthening procedures to add a couple inches to their height.

Lucy is taken aback by the information, especially since the surgery sounds drastic in nature. Then, while dating Harry (Pedro Pascal) — a handsome, wealthy “unicorn” of a love interest — she notices scars on his legs. Harry reveals he too had the leg-lengthening surgery, saying it boosted his confidence and upped his height by six inches.

So, is leg-lengthening a real thing? Surprisingly yes. But while it’s not a procedure made up for the A24 universe, it’s also not the magical makeover the movie might make it out to be (sorry to disappoint). Here’s what to know about leg-lengthening before getting your hopes too high.

What Is Leg-Lengthening Surgery?

Leg-lengthening (or more accurately, limb-lengthening) is a long, arduous, and painful procedure. According to Cleveland Clinic, it’s most commonly used for treating skeletal dysplasia, bone growth issues, and bone length differences. While people have used it with the sole cosmetic intent of increasing height, it’s not exactly an easy way to land more dates. More on that in a minute.

How Does Leg-Lengthening Work?

The science behind leg-lengthening is fairly simple. In essence, the surgeon cuts the bone into two segments (this is referred to as an “osteotomy”). From there, a limb-lengthening device is attached to the two segments of bone. This device can be one of two things:

Once the device is attached, the two bone segments will begin to pull apart in a process called “distraction.” As the gap between the two bone segments grows, the body will eventually create new bone to fill in the space. Once the desired length is reached, the new bone will need time to harden, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

How Long Does Leg-Lengthening Take?

To give you a rough estimation of the timeline, it takes about three months to see an inch of bone growth. That means Harry’s six-inch leg-lengthening would’ve taken at least a year and a half.

The operation isn’t cheap either: As reported by NBC News, limb-lengthening can cost upwards of $75,000, and often isn’t covered by insurance — and that’s not to mention the required physical therapy.

The Bottom Line

So is limb-lengthening real? Yes. Could you technically use it just to increase your height? Also yes. But ultimately, it’s less of a cosmetic surgery, and more of a corrective operation. We understand how frustrating dating can be (sadly, life doesn’t always feel like a rom-com), but if you’re still feeling a deep sense of dissatisfaction with your height or appearance in general, therapy may be cheaper and less painful in the long run.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.