The Place Where US Big Tech Workers Flock Together

'Sajiyeonjang Surgery' Trending Among High-Paid Technical Professionals
2 Billion KRW to Extend 15cm

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A unique item has been added to the wish list of purchases among young high-income earners in the United States. It is 'height.'

On the 16th (local time), the U.S. economic news website Business Insider cited GQ magazine to introduce the craze for limb lengthening surgery, especially among big tech workers.

Dr. Kevin Debipashad, a plastic surgeon who responded to an interview with GQ, has been operating a limb lengthening surgery specialty clinic in Las Vegas since 2016.

The surgical process of limb lengthening is somewhat gruesome. The patient's femur is cut, and a specially made metal rod is inserted. Then, the rod is extended a little bit every day for three months using remote control.

Originally, this surgery was a treatment for people with legs of unequal length. It was developed in the 1950s by Gavriil Ilizarov, an orthopedic surgeon from the former Soviet Union, and is also called the Ilizarov surgery.

However, since it can increase one's height by up to 15 cm, recently, CEOs of companies and high-paid big tech employees who desire greater height have become the main clients.

Not everyone can undergo this surgery. Because it can reduce athletic ability, it is not recommended for athletes in running, soccer, basketball, and other sports. Also, since all height increases are done on the legs, the proportions may look slightly odd when naked. The pain after surgery is considerable, requiring long-term reliance on painkillers, and because the leg bones become weak, even a small fall can lead to fractures, which is a risk that must be accepted.

The surgery cost varies depending on the desired height increase. About 7 cm (3 inches) costs $70,000 (approximately 97 million KRW), and about 15 cm (6 inches) costs $150,000 (around 200 million KRW).

The background for the popularity of this surgery is the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Due to increased remote and flexible work caused by COVID-19, demand has surged. 90% of patients hide the fact that they underwent limb lengthening surgery from those around them, making excuses such as "I had an accident while skiing" or "I slipped in the bathtub" to get sick leave.

Dr. Debipashad joked, "I often say I could start a tech company with the patients who come to the hospital," adding, "About 20 software engineers in Las Vegas are currently undergoing the surgery process."

He continued, "Recently, a woman working at PayPal visited the hospital," and added, "I meet many patients who work at Google, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), and Microsoft."

Limb lengthening surgery is also performed domestically, with surgery costs typically known to be between 40 million and 80 million KRW. It takes one year to be able to walk naturally after surgery, and the worst side effect is that it is a major surgery that could result in being unable to walk.