Diary - January 2019 - In Full Stryde with Dr. Mahboubian of North Hollywood.

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Quote from: Bosnian2018 on April 29, 2019, 07:40:27 AM
What's your water intake like ?


A good amount of water.  About 100oz a day.

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Quote from: psilocybe on April 28, 2019, 08:53:38 AM
Does your butt look different nked? I always imagines it would stretch the bottom part of your glutes and look abnormal. Am I wrong?


Especially in the first few weeks after surgery; you will lose your butt almost completely.  Once you begin to build it back it starts to look like your old butt.  The longer femurs don't seem to have much of an impact on how my butt looks; more so the loss of fat and muscle here impact the look. Good question.

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Quote from: InFullStryde on April 29, 2019, 07:02:19 PMEspecially in the first few weeks after surgery; you will lose your butt almost completely.  Once you begin to build it back it starts to look like your old butt.  The longer femurs don't seem to have much of an impact on how my butt looks; more so the loss of fat and muscle here impact the look. Good question.

Great to hear you're doing well - do you find you are changing your clothing options with the longer femurs?

I have a short torso so I look better with shirts tucked out - just wondering what you do?

Also for work I wear a shirt tucked in and normally no jacket - that's where I'm worried most about the proportions

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Quote from: SimonFuller on April 30, 2019, 08:25:03 AMGreat to hear you're doing well - do you find you are changing your clothing options with the longer femurs?

I have a short torso so I look better with shirts tucked out - just wondering what you do?

Also for work I wear a shirt tucked in and normally no jacket - that's where I'm worried most about the proportions

Hi Simon, Good question.   So far my clothing has stayed the same.   My proportions were pretty much textbook before I started the surgery, so if anything; I probably look more streamlined in the pants I wear.   I usually will tuck in my shirt for the office. Everything is looking good.   I'll let you know if any feedback I get. 

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(Tuesday) Day 116 Post Op - Day 24 Consolidation/Recovery Phase - DISTRACTION COMPLETED....[7.5 cm Achieved / 3 inches Taller!]

Greetings CLL'er's,

I hope all is well. I just wanted to check in. My recovery continues and I'm doing pretty good.  Working on that general theme of tightness and APT...but it's improving. In fact, I'm just taking a break from working my glutes to type this, ha.  My updates will likely be less frequent since the day-to-day is pretty similar at this stage.  I will continue to update you weekly, at least, however on how I'm doing and will always make you aware of various milestones.   Additionally, I plan on recording more video every few weeks or so; so that you can observe progress in walking.  If you recall, my bones are already bridged after only 3 weeks of consolidation.  My next X-Rays and appointment with Dr. M is in 8 weeks, so I expect to see some pretty solid bone by then and hopefully I'll be comfortable walking as well. We shall see.

I check these boards just about every day; so please feel free to ask anything you would like.

Have a great evening and all the best,

IFS

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That's great to hear your recovery continues to go well! The primary reason I check this site is your diary (very honest and informative) so your weekly updates going forward will be much appreciated. I'm especially interested in hearing about how your walk/gait progresses! Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey!

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Quote from: TheAlchemist on May 01, 2019, 04:39:02 AMThat's great to hear your recovery continues to go well! The primary reason I check this site is your diary (very honest and informative) so your weekly updates going forward will be much appreciated. I'm especially interested in hearing about how your walk/gait progresses! Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey!

Thank you, Alchemist!  CLL is a grind like nothing else; but I'll get to the finish line soon enough.

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(Wednesday) Day 117 Post Op - Day 25 Consolidation/Recovery Phase - DISTRACTION COMPLETED....[7.5 cm Achieved / 3 inches Taller!]

Greetings CLL'er's,

Quick update. All still going pretty decent as far as I can tell. As mention before, I'm 100% ambulatory at this point, while getting around work, home and taking walks around building with no assistance from cane. I'm averaging about 8000 steps per day and that number is growing.  I DO take the cane with me where ever I go however; in the event that I need a device to assist me in some way; even if its just to lean on. Particularly in longer walks or extended standing.  You guys saw my gait and it's pretty decent but there is work to be done.  With this in mind; I have listed the below challenge points that I have to conquer in order to get to comfortable walking.  Hopefully this list helps out future CLL prospects on what they can expect.

1) Minor Anterior Pelvic Tilt.  After 26 days of hard work there is some positive changes in my APT. It's starting to get better. I am hoping that May brings some great adjustment here.  Improvement can be had by stretching the hip flexors, hips, quads and working out the glutes and abs. It really does help.

2) Tight Muscles: I have decent range of motion throughout and there is no "worry" areas here; but my quads and hips are tight enough to shorten my "stryde". As a result my walk is not fast enough and I tend to tire out pretty quick. I'd say I'm at about one quarter of a mile right now before my muscles tend to tire and I need a break.   I'll track this slowly and keep you guys posted on my progress.  Also, being that I'm only 26 days post lengthening, the muscles are weaker in general and should be another month or so before enough strength is there to truly capture the extended walk of 1+ miles.

3) My Left Leg: What do you know! My left leg is a little big weaker than my right. Go figure. Fortunately, I am able to bear full weight on it and even stand on it, one leg style; but this leg still needs some work in comparison to my right leg.

4) Have to work on "standing up muscles". It's not super easy to stand from chair yet. I'm working hard on those sit to stand exercises very aggressively at this point.

5) Have to "Warm Up" my legs before I can walk on them: This is a unique one. I can walk all day once I get going; but after sleeping or sitting for a while, i have to really warm up my legs with high knees, weight shifting, or baby steps before I can walk on them.  They get pretty tight when having idle time.  The tightness is around the lower quads.  Once I warm up for about 15 -20 seconds I can walk again. Strange, right? lol.  Let's keep it going.

My current recovery regiment:

-PT - 7 Days a Week for 2 hours a day.  (4 Days Self PT) (3 Days Professional PT in Clinic)
-Walking 8000+ Steps per day, Including High Knees, Some Agility Style Steps, and Long Strides to extend step length.
-Stand and Walk, at least for a few minutes every 25 minutes.   
-Peddle on Bike in between each stand/walk session


So, my friends, I'm counting my blessings here. I can "stand" and I can "walk" before 4 months; but work is to be done here.  I'm happy that my bones have already bridged and that is looking solid.... now it's time to put my head down, and work hard. My goal is to be comfortable to walk distances by the 6 month point. Maybe that day will come sooner...maybe later....but I assure you I'll do all I can to make it happen.

Thank you again for your support and I'll be back with a new update shortly.

All the Best,

IFS

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Hey IFS,

Really really happy that you've accomplished the biggest part of it, you're 90% there.

Did you already get used to your new height? How does it feel? Do you still feel different about your POV? I'm sure you're still euphoric about the whole thing so maybe a year from now would be a better time to ask this but still, did you get nearly as happy as you thought you'd become?

A side question: what's the deal with losing glutes? Is it because muscles are stretching? So I assume you lose hamstrings too?

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Quote from: tallica on May 02, 2019, 08:20:35 PMHey IFS,

Really really happy that you've accomplished the biggest part of it, you're 90% there.

Did you already get used to your new height? How does it feel? Do you still feel different about your POV? I'm sure you're still euphoric about the whole thing so maybe a year from now would be a better time to ask this but still, did you get nearly as happy as you thought you'd become?

A side question: what's the deal with losing glutes? Is it because muscles are stretching? So I assume you lose hamstrings too?

Hi Tallica,

Thank you for the kind words.   I am absolutely in love with my new height. I cannot wait to start enjoying it.  Right now, I'm very much remaining a hermit and low key until my walk is strong enough. Although I am walking well; I still need to improve the comfort and speed of the walk.  In a month or 2; once my walk improves to a satisfactory level; I plan in revamping my clothing style getting a nice hair cut and hitting the road with this new height! lol.  Perspective is everything and when you lived your life at 5'1 and now you're 5'4...its a dream come true.  I always say....truth is the essence of one's perspective. It really is.  Ask me again in about 4 months....

You know; I think it's just the trauma involved in breaking the bone and then not being able to walk 100% weight bearing for a few weeks.  You just lose your glutes and it's rough.   I advise any future CLL'er to be proactive in somehow keeping their glutes if at all possible... This will help you avoid the dreaded APT.

Thanks again for the great question Tallica and feel free to reach out to me any time.

All the best,

IFS