Marius Gros, a 28-year-old Dublin resident originally from Romania, underwent a leg-lengthening operation in Turkey that cost nearly £20,000, funded by a bank loan. The procedure broke his femurs and inserted metal frames to slowly pull the bones apart as they healed, ultimately adding four inches to his height.
Motivation and Research
Gros, who stood at 5 feet 7 inches before surgery, said he always wished he was taller. 'The average height in Ireland where I live seems to be higher than in Romania, where I’m from. In Ireland the men are mostly 5ft 11in or 6ft and I felt short when I was out on the street,' he explained. He first learned about limb lengthening from a TikTok video and began researching clinics worldwide.
Choosing the Clinic and Financing
After comparing options, Gros selected Wanna Be Taller in Istanbul, Turkey. The cost was approximately £20,000, significantly less than the $200,000 price tag he found in the United States. 'I saw the surgery in the USA for up to $200,000, so when I asked the Turkish clinic their cost, I thought it was reasonable. Two weeks later, I was ready with a loan from the bank,' he said.
The Surgery and Recovery Process
Gros underwent the operation on January 29, 2025. Surgeons broke his femurs and attached metal structures to his legs. Upon waking, he was still the same height. For weeks, he turned screws on the frames four times daily, increasing the bone gap by 1mm each time, forcing the bones to lengthen as they healed. 'I wasn’t really nervous until an hour before the surgery. I knew it would be painful, but it would be worth it in the end,' he recalled.
The first two weeks were the hardest, with Gros largely bedridden. Turning the screws did not hurt, but the broken bones caused bruising and nerve pain. 'When I first woke up, the pain was really bad. But I became a bit numb from the painkillers,' he said. After four days in hospital, he spent 11 more days at a nearby hotel, working with a physiotherapist and having nurses change his bandages. He then returned to Ireland and took four months off work, using a wheelchair before progressing to a walker and crutches.
Signs of Progress
Regular physiotherapy helped Gros regain strength. He had been a keen gymgoer and Muay Thai practitioner but accepted muscle loss during recovery. Even walking from his bedroom to the kitchen to make porridge became part of rebuilding strength. As his legs lengthened, everyday objects offered surreal evidence: he noticed he had to lower his hand further to use his coffee machine and microwave because his point of view had changed.
Final Outcome and Current Status
By May 2025, the lengthening process was complete, and Gros had gained about four inches. He gradually moved from two crutches to one and then learned to walk normally. Taking his dog outside and short walks with his girlfriend aided recovery. Eighteen months post-operation, Gros is fully healed and now stands 5 feet 11 inches. He said running still feels 'a bit weird' while his brain adjusts to his new height, but he is no longer in pain.
Gros documents his journey on TikTok as @mariusgros1111. 'People online said I’d never walk again, I just replied “watch and see”. I knew I’d be back to normal, and now I am,' he said. He has nearly repaid the loan and insists he does not regret the decision. 'If I rewound time, I’d do the same thing again,' he added.
