My name is Shari. I'm a graphic designer from Portland, and for most of my life, my right leg was an inch shorter than my left. Growing up, I just dealt with it, but by my late 20s, the constant hip and back pain was unbearable. My confidence plummeted, and I felt like my body was a flawed design.

After a formal diagnosis of limb length discrepancy, the options in the US were bleak: an invasive surgery with a year-long recovery and a six-figure price tag. I felt hopeless. I wanted to hike and live pain-free, but it seemed impossible.

This is when I started researching medical tourism. I found stories about people traveling for medical procedures, and Turkey kept coming up as a top destination for orthopedics. The information was overwhelming, but then I found PlacidWay. Their case manager, Emily, was a lifesaver. She listened to my fears and financial concerns, and she connected me with the Turan Turan Robotic Surgery Center in Bursa, Turkey.

Emily at PlacidWay was a lifesaver. She didn't just give me information; she gave me hope. She made me feel seen and heard at a time when I felt so invisible.

The clinic offered a less invasive limb lengthening surgery using PRECICE nails, with a total cost of just $38,000—a fraction of the price at home. The travel was a mix of excitement and anxiety, but PlacidWay and the clinic staff made the journey seamless. The clinic was modern and the staff was incredibly professional and warm.

The surgery was a success. My recovery involved a slow, controlled lengthening process using a small remote. With the support of the medical team, I pushed through the discomfort. During my recovery, I felt like a new person, standing taller both physically and emotionally. The chronic pain in my back and hips vanished, and I’m back to hiking again.