A doctor who offers the “world’s most painful” surgery has been threatened with fines and criminal charges by her local government.
Dr. Marie Gdalevitch, an orthopedic surgeon in Quebec, Canada, has been offering osteotomy operations or limb lengthening surgeries for more than a decade to patients seeking to be taller.
The $90,000 surgery that can increase height by three inches involves breaking the leg bones and then inserting a metal rod into the marrow, which is then gradually lengthened to force the leg bone to grow.
She offers the surgery to people with dwarfism and limb deformities through Canada’s public health system, as well as privately to young men concerned about their height.
However, earlier this month, Quebec updated its list of approved surgeries in the province and did not include an osteotomy on the list.
The decision left her stunned and she has now received a letter ordering her to stop offering the surgeries or face sanctions.
Dr. Gdalevitch has had to reschedule dozens of procedures, saying she was fully booked through May. She is appealing to local authorities to add her surgery to the list.
she said CTV News: ‘The Quebec Orthopedic Association agrees with being able to do this, agrees with being able to correct deformities, lengthen limbs and even lengthen height.
Dr. Marie Gdalevitch, an orthopedic surgeon in Quebec, Canada, offers osteotomy operations or limb lengthening surgeries for patients seeking to be taller.
“It is not clear who made the final decision, but someone (in the authorities) does not agree with this for reasons I still do not understand.”
The list of approved private surgeries is approved by the Ministry of Health and the College of Physicians of Quebec.
The organizations have not explained why osteotomies were excluded, but in the past patients have complained of extreme pain from the surgery.
There are also risks from the procedure, including nerve damage, muscle damage, dislocations, and arthritis.
Canada has a public health insurance system that covers essential medical services such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and surgeries for patients.
However, about 60 percent of residents also have private health insurance, which covers “non-essential” care such as prescription medications, vision, dental and mental health.
In Quebec, the public system is called Régie de l’assurance maladie du Quebec (RAMQ). The state also has an approved list of private procedures, which is suggested to stop a rush to the private sector.
Dr. Gdalevitch, who opened another clinic in the province last month, says she may now have to move out of the province to offer the procedure, making it less accessible to her patients.
Dr. Gdalevitch, pictured above, opened a new clinic last month.
He said it could also force patients seeking the surgery to travel abroad, where it may not be as well regulated.
She was previously able to offer the surgery through a loophole because the list of approved private practices was rarely updated, which she said led to the surgery she was offering being “tolerated”.
The doctor added to the local broadcaster: “I have been very strictly warned that this could be something I would be taken to criminal court for.”
Leg lengthening surgeries have seen a boom in recent years as young men seek procedures to add vital inches to their height, which they believe will help their romantic lives and careers.
Previous patients, including a Colombian influencer who grew from 5ft 8in to 6ft, described suffering excruciating pain.
Yeferson Cossio, 29, had the surgery late last year but said it left him in so much pain he felt like he was going to collapse and was desperate to get the rods removed.
The pain is so unbearable that it “constantly interrupts” his sleep, and Cossio says he can now only sleep “about two hours (every night), at most.”