We've had purely cosmetic surgery for decades. Is this any different than a boob job or lip implants or hair plugs? It's more painful, sure, and irreversible, but is it morally different because of that?
I imagine you are taking about gender reassignment surgery. In that case, the patient is seeking help to solve a serious physical and psychological problem for themselves. Leg lengthening does not cross that bar for me, at least not how the motivations of the patients are described in the article. I can easily imagine cosmetic surgery that is ethical, including leg lengthening, but these guys are not it.
You're making very fine distinctions. Many people will draw the line somewhere else. Our society has drawn the line somewhere else, because this well-known and respected physician makes a good living providing this treatment to satisfied patients. IANATrans person, but I doubt many of them would see a problem here either. In the context of USA health care, invoking Hippocrates on this guy is silly.
