flange too high (pvc)

wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or tack on the other. I have PVC all the way while the other recent thread has iron in the mix.

2nd floor bathroom. Replacing the tile floor but the the new floor will be on ditra instead of a thick mortar bed. End result is the flange will be too high. Photo is attached.

So my problem is how the heck do you replace a flange when the subfloor is completely in the way? Am I really going to have to take out a section of the subfloor to be able to remove the flange and get a new drain pipe in there to be able to cement a new flange into?

The toilet sits back in a stall sort of area so removing any subfloor will entail cutting it both parallel to and perpendicular to floor joists.

Did I mention this started as a "just paint the bathroom" job?

-Dan

You will have to remove part of the sub floor or 1st floor ceiling, OR you can do the floor and use a marble slab between floor and toilet to make up the difference.

Is that 4" PVC or 3"? Can you use an inside pipe cutter or hobby tool to cut the flange off then drop in a twist 'n seal (or is it a "spin 'n seal") flange? Or possibly glue in a 4x3 flange?