There are many people who exist on the shorter end of the height spectrum. For some people, it might be not the biggest deal – but for others, it might significantly impact their lives. But what if there were a way to change your height …

NATIONWIDE NEWS: A growing number of people who lack height are spending exorbitant sums of money to have their limbs shattered and stretched. Although it may sound excruciatingly uncomfortable, many people claim it is worthwhile.

THE GUARDIAN: When Lewis was an adolescent, he stopped growing at 5 feet, 5 inches (165 cm). As a matter of fact, nine out of ten men would be taller than him; he would be about 4in (10cm) shorter than the typical British male. He donned stacked heels when he finally worked up the nerve to leave the house. He was offended by how height discrimination was pushed by dating apps. One woman remarked, “You’re a lovely guy; you deserve to grow taller.”

BUSINESS INSIDER: I’ve always felt the need to be taller, even as a teenager. I was 5-foot-5 and felt like I paled in comparison to my peers, so my mother and I sought medical advice from a doctor in Frederick County, Maryland, where I lived at the time. The doctor recommended a variety of options to boost my height, one of which included a growth hormone that I didn’t end up taking.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12): “Thank you for breaking both my legs, it’s very Hollywood. Tomorrow will be three weeks,” Rich Rotella told his surgeon, Dr. Dror Paley, during his first follow-up appointment post-surgery.

PEOPLE: Rotella, 37, put himself in the lead role in a documentary about cosmetic limb lengthening, in which he played himself. “I’m just so sick of people telling me, ‘You’re too short to play the lead,’ ” he tells PEOPLE.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12): Rich Rotella carries a handwritten white card with 16 recognizable names in his wallet. “I’ve got Elijah Wood, 5’6”, (Al) Pacino 5’7”, (Joe) Pesci 5’ 4”,” Rotella said, showing reporter Andrew Lofholm the card.