A US man has undergone surgery to reduce the size of his thumbs as he was struggling to use the keypad on his new mobile phone.

According to the North Denver News, 28-year-old Thomas Martel, described by the newspaper as "a big guy" had been struggling to use the keypad on his Apple iPhone and decided drastic action was needed.

The operation, known as "whittling", is said to be gaining popularity in the US.

Martel said: "From my old Treo, to my Blackberry, to this new iPhone, I had a hard time hitting the right buttons, and I always lost those little styluses.

"Sure, the procedure was expensive, but when I think of all the time I save by being able to use modern handhelds so much faster, I really think the surgery will pay for itself in ten to fifteen years.

"And what it's saving me in frustration - that's priceless."

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