A Dutch teenager has undergone an operation in Veldhoven after his height became a tall order to overcome. Yannick Pinas stood at 2.15 metres tall despite only just breaking into his teenage years. After the operation, he dropped 7 centimetres (where did they go? Can I have them?).
The tall 13-year-old knew he was short-changed in the height department when his towering stature started making it impossible for him to complete everyday tasks – like going through doors without stooping, flying on airplanes, or going on a long car ride. Now, thanks to his operation, he’ll stand 7 centimetres shorter.
The now 2.08 meter-tall teen had an operation on his growth discs just above the knee and in his feet. Despite sounding like a dramatic last resort, the operation lasted only an hour – and he could go home the very next day. Now he can go through a standard 2.11 door without putting his posture (or brain cells) at risk.
It’s unsurprising that this teen was headed for big heights – his father stands at 1.98 metres and his mother is above average at 1.78. His mother says that his nine-year-old sister may need a similar operation later in life as she is growing fast with no sign of slowing down.
Read More: Why are Dutch people so tall?
Growing Number of Height Operations
Yannick’s situation is not entirely unique. However, the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven is one of just a few hospitals where pediatric orthopedics can perform the procedure.
Lang is hij al, en hij zal nog langer worden. Maar Yannick Pinas wordt geen 2,15 meer. Hij zal blijven steken op ‘slechts’ 2,08 dankzij een ingreep in het Máxima Medisch Centrum in Veldhoven. Dat lijkt weinig, maar maakt voor hem veel verschil.
[Premium]https://t.co/PzLfuhM6tA— AD Den Haag (@ADDenHaag) August 30, 2019
Regardless, the number of height operations have increased five-fold in less than four years, from 28 in 2015 to 151 last year. This has ended the previous method of treatment which involved utilising hormones to inhibit growth after it was discovered to cause infertility in girls.
Why stop growing?
There are a lot of advantages to being tall, like not having to pluck the low-hanging fruit or being really, really, really close to the basketball hoop. In fact, being tall is not harmful to a person’s health at all.
However, it can affect a person’s comfort when all other furniture is designed for shorter people, have social ramifications, and limit shopping options and job prospects.
Are you really tall, really small, or somewhere in between? What do you think of the tall people in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!
Feature Image: Patrick Fore on Unsplash
With the Netherlands having one of the most intensive agriculture industries in the world, the key to normal human growth is don’t eat so much Dutch industrial cheeses or Dutch processed meats to reduce exposure to animal growth hormone. Go organic for more normal development.