Have you really actually tried to see a shrink? I'm asking because a lot of what you're saying seems to boil down to just basic narcissism. Sorry to say, but even if you get LL and get to 5'11 your mindset will still hold you back. There's always someone who's better than you: deal with it (the inverse can be said too..)
I've just hired one, only on my fourth session now but I have explained the procedure and my feelings to which she agreed that surgery could be a very real solution however when talking to a close friend about my shrink's acceptance of the idea he said she was irresponsible.
I admit have self image problems due to a previous relationship ending however I am not seeking gratification from others I'm looking for acceptance with myself.
I'm going to sound like a serial plastic surgery fiend now but I've already had a septoplasty/rhinoplasty and I can now look in the mirror and feel happy about my face when I previously could not look at myself...I imagine the same will be true about my height it's the only thing I'd change about myself.
I understand there is always a bigger fish but it's not about being the best, 5"11 would put me in the 75th percentile as opposed to my current height of 5"8 which is the 25th percentile which I see as a huge difference and I couldn't ask for anymore than that.
I feel like you're oversimplified a lot about life. Unless you might live in the Netherlands or a secret town in which everyone is 6+, the amount of crap you think you're getting from you height should all be in your head. I don't know your life story (and frankly don't care), so I'm not going to over speculate to much, but the comment "no matter how successful I become my height will always be the thing people remember about me"
screams disillusion.
No secret giant town haha I live in the UK; I'm not openly discriminated against but I will be overlooked for someone with similar looks etc who is taller; this surgery will statistically mean that this would only occur 25% of the time as opposed to 75% of the time going off the percentile's I mentioned earlier.
For your last paragraph: go out there already. Don't waste away your time hold up in some hole thinking you'll never find love or compassion because of height. Try that before you go for the last resort of LL.
I'm trying; I know I'll get there eventually and hopefully my shrink can help speed up the process a little
Means a lot that you would take your time to express your opinion and give your advise to a complete stranger so thank you!