A woman who underwent a controversial “leg-lengthening” surgery is opening up about her experience, admitting she now feels ashamed of the decision. Theresia Fischer, a model and reality TV personality, paid more than $160,000 for the procedure, which added 5.5 inches to her height and pushed her from 5’6″ to six feet tall.

Fischer says she was only 24 when she agreed to the operation and now believes she was influenced by an ex-partner. She recalls him repeatedly telling her she needed him, a message she heard so often that she began to doubt her own worth. That pressure, she says, pushed her toward a surgery she never truly wanted.

In a recent update, Fischer revealed she has finally had the metal rods removed from her legs. She shared her relief online, calling it “the day of days” and saying the eight years of physical and emotional pain were beyond description. Despite reaching the height she once thought she wanted, she now struggles with the emotional aftermath of the decision.

The surgery itself was intense. Doctors broke her shin bones, split her calf muscles, and inserted telescopic rods that she had to manually adjust each day. The slow, clicking process stretched her bones millimeter by millimeter, forcing her body to adapt through constant strain.

Her regrets run deep. Fischer says she feels embarrassed that she allowed someone else’s influence to shape her body and her choices. She had always been happy with her appearance until pressure and insecurity clouded her judgment.

The long-term consequences have been costly. Beyond the financial price, Fischer developed a chronic condition called periosteum inflammation, leaving her with lingering pain and ongoing health challenges. Her story, she says, is a warning about the emotional risks behind extreme cosmetic procedures.