I have done 8 cm on my femurs, I am 178.5 cm now, after surgery (RFem i year ago, LHS surgery was completed 3 years ago) I can squat but my balance in that position is very bad and i have to lean forward to maintain balance as my femurs are too long, and getting up from full squat is very bad due to tight/sore knees and weak/sore/tight TFL i def can't perform any kind of weighted squat as T/F ratio is bad (39cm/54 cm = 0.72) , and my knees really are stressed in that position.
I can't run very fast at all anymore as my T/F ratio feels wrong and my femurs are weak and my knees are tight (flexion reduced from 150 to 135 degrees) and my gait/stride length is tight/reduced as the RHS leg gets tight when i take long strides, and thighs are weak, I have been doing yoga cobra stretches to try to reduce tightness as my hip flexion has reduced significantly.
My duckass has improved in the last year, but my hips still tilt forward and my belly hangs more forward than before, I seem to have lost 0.5 cm in height because of my remaining duckass.
Originally I could stand/sit reach 20cm below my toes but now I cant reach my toes as my hamstrings (particularly RHS) are way to tight.
I have considered Tib lengthening (maybe 4cm) to improve my T/F ratio for both physical and aesthetic reasons, btw I have just purchased an inversion table in the hope it will help my duckass and tight lower/mid spine (maybe related to my CLL , but not sure).
Quote from: throwaway123456 on April 13, 2023, 03:20:17 AMI have done 8 cm on my femurs, I am 178.5 cm now, after surgery (RFem i year ago, LHS surgery was completed 3 years ago) I can squat but my balance in that position is very bad and i have to lean forward to maintain balance as my femurs are too long, and getting up from full squat is very bad due to tight/sore knees and weak/sore/tight TFL i def can't perform any kind of weighted squat as T/F ratio is bad (39cm/54 cm = 0.72) , and my knees really are stressed in that position.
I can't run very fast at all anymore as my T/F ratio feels wrong and my femurs are weak and my knees are tight (flexion reduced from 150 to 135 degrees) and my gait/stride length is tight/reduced as the RHS leg gets tight when i take long strides, and thighs are weak, I have been doing yoga cobra stretches to try to reduce tightness as my hip flexion has reduced significantly.
My duckass has improved in the last year, but my hips still tilt forward and my belly hangs more forward than before, I seem to have lost 0.5 cm in height because of my remaining duckass.
Originally I could stand/sit reach 20cm below my toes but now I cant reach my toes as my hamstrings (particularly RHS) are way to tight.
I have considered Tib lengthening (maybe 4cm) to improve my T/F ratio for both physical and aesthetic reasons, btw I have just purchased an inversion table in the hope it will help my duckass and tight lower/mid spine (maybe related to my CLL , but not sure).
Woah, thanks for sharing. So you did unilateral lengthening? What would you do differently if you could do it again?
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 13, 2023, 02:17:35 AMThats a good question about recovery. If I could guarantee I would recover 50% faster, I probably would be inclined to stop at or around 6 CM. From what I have heard, every MM after 6 CM increases recovery exponentially as opposed to linearly, but not sure how true that is.
I plan on doing a diary at some point, or a summary of my journey more so, but to give some background my surgeon is Dr. Assayag. They are concerned with the lack of knee flexion in my left knee, and if I were to continue they would slow me down to .75 or .5 MM a day. But he does believe I will regain the flexion back when fully recovered. He is truly a great doctor, and he will support me whatever my decision.
Another thing is I am going back to work in two weeks. I work mostly a hybrid job, and Ill probably work from home the first 1-2 weeks regardless, but that is impacting my decision as I would like to be done lengthening by the time I go back.
I believe the data shows that recovery (and complications, and other things) increases exponentially after 5cm. I think it's safe to assume 6cm will be fairly significantly faster. The rule of thumb is 1 month of consolidation for each lengthening month, and then you have everything else on top of that.
Are you still at 1MM? That's pretty fast, and honestly could be a big reason for your tightness. From what I've seen it's very common to slow down to 0.75 (or even less) throughout the lengthening, for some people it's at 2-3cm and for others could be 6-7cm. I think it's typically people who are very flexible (and maybe young?) who manage to stay at 1MM. Rozbruch doesn't even start at 1MM unless you're very young ( he does 0.8 ). Also, how long are you stretching / doing PT? You might want to increase that regardless of anything.
Getting back to your job might swing the decision. Are you able (or even want to) delay that? Or that's set in stone? I imagine it might be harder to find the time to stretch and focus on LL while back.
Keep in mind you don't have to make that decision right now, and it doesn't have to be 6cm or 8cm. There are lots of options in between. Plenty of people started with one number in mind and for various reasons stopped short, and that's perfectly fine. I think you can just keep going, probably slow down, and see how you feel about it. I'm pretty sure you'll know it when you're done.
That being said, you sound very happy with the result, and not overly obsessed about chasing the numbers (or getting distracted by noise). Personally I have a feeling you'll be just fine. I also think you don't really notice any difference at 2cm, and only start to see/feel it around 3-4cm. Which for me is another way to think about how silly it is to get obsessed over every millimeter.
Regardless of when you stop, you may also want to write down your decision somewhere (maybe this thread can serve that purpose). So in a couple of months/years, if you do end up wondering why you stopped - you'll be able to remind yourself the mental state you were in.
Glad I was/am able to help! 
Yes I did Unilateral, i was resistant at first, but the Doctor (and finances) convinced me, I must admit having one good leg makes you far more independent and I wasn't too much of a burden on others.
I regret not choosing Precice in my first lengthening, Fitbone is too complex and mine failed after 5.3 cm, this (and work/money pressures) resulted in me needing another lengthening years later (with Precice) to reach full the 8cm , spending more money and having uneven length femurs for 3 years with associated reduction in mobility/agility and wearing unsightly and clunky built up shoes.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 13, 2023, 03:46:49 AMI believe the data shows that recovery (and complications, and other things) increases exponentially after 5cm. I think it's safe to assume 6cm will be fairly significantly faster. The rule of thumb is 1 month of consolidation for each lengthening month, and then you have everything else on top of that.
Are you still at 1MM? That's pretty fast, and honestly could be a big reason for your tightness. From what I've seen it's very common to slow down to 0.75 (or even less) throughout the lengthening, for some people it's at 2-3cm and for others could be 6-7cm. I think it's typically people who are very flexible (and maybe young?) who manage to stay at 1MM. Rozbruch doesn't even start at 1MM unless you're very young ( he does 0.8 ). Also, how long are you stretching / doing PT? You might want to increase that regardless of anything.
Slowed down to .75MM after some nerve irritation at 45MM. Got on gabapentin so talked w/ Dr.A and agreed to do even days at 1MM and odd days at .75. Now he has asked me to slow down to .5 for the remainder. Slowing down earlier would have been a good idea in my case.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 13, 2023, 03:46:49 AMGetting back to your job might swing the decision. Are you able (or even want to) delay that? Or that's set in stone? I imagine it might be harder to find the time to stretch and focus on LL while back.
I could delay it a few weeks, but I have already told my boss I am coming back. Also, my leave is through Family Medical Leave(FMLA) so my job protection ends in a few weeks. Not that I think my job would fire me if I were to need a few extra weeks, but I would rather work from home longer if I decided to go for more length. Regardless going back to work impacts my ability and energy to stretch as you mentioned, which is my biggest concern.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 13, 2023, 03:46:49 AMKeep in mind you don't have to make that decision right now, and it doesn't have to be 6cm or 8cm. There are lots of options in between. Plenty of people started with one number in mind and for various reasons stopped short, and that's perfectly fine. I think you can just keep going, probably slow down, and see how you feel about it. I'm pretty sure you'll know it when you're done.
That being said, you sound very happy with the result, and not overly obsessed about chasing the numbers (or getting distracted by noise). Personally I have a feeling you'll be just fine. I also think you don't really notice any difference at 2cm, and only start to see/feel it around 3-4cm. Which for me is another way to think about how silly it is to get obsessed over every millimeter.
Regardless of when you stop, you may also want to write down your decision somewhere (maybe this thread can serve that purpose). So in a couple of months/years, if you do end up wondering why you stopped - you'll be able to remind yourself the mental state you were in.
Great advice, I wanted to test the reasoning of my decision against those who disagree, and I feel I have accomplished that. I think for some it is better to go the full 8. For me, my initial goal was 6 CM and I have reached that. I definitely have been journaling this experience, and will be sure to keep a record of why I decided to stop. Currently I am at 60.5 per the ERC, I am giving myself at least another day, and then deciding:)
Quote from: throwaway123456 on April 13, 2023, 12:13:15 PMYes I did Unilateral, i was resistant at first, but the Doctor (and finances) convinced me, I must admit having one good leg makes you far more independent and I wasn't too much of a burden on others.
I regret not choosing Precice in my first lengthening, Fitbone is too complex and mine failed after 5.3 cm, this (and work/money pressures) resulted in me needing another lengthening years later (with Precice) to reach full the 8cm , spending more money and having uneven length femurs for 3 years with associated reduction in mobility/agility and wearing unsightly and clunky built up shoes.
Do you feel your reduction in ability/mobility is at all associated with going for 8CM, or solely from the unilateral aspects and failure of the fitbone?
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 14, 2023, 12:03:56 AMSlowed down to .75MM after some nerve irritation at 45MM. Got on gabapentin so talked w/ Dr.A and agreed to do even days at 1MM and odd days at .75. Now he has asked me to slow down to .5 for the remainder. Slowing down earlier would have been a good idea in my case.
Yeah, slowing down is really helpful. Gives time for the bone to growth and ease up the tightness / pain etc. The thing people don't realize - you don't necessarily lose any time by slowing down, since your consolidation period is going to be shorter as well.
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 14, 2023, 12:03:56 AMI could delay it a few weeks, but I have already told my boss I am coming back. Also, my leave is through Family Medical Leave(FMLA) so my job protection ends in a few weeks. Not that I think my job would fire me if I were to need a few extra weeks, but I would rather work from home longer if I decided to go for more length. Regardless going back to work impacts my ability and energy to stretch as you mentioned, which is my biggest concern.
Makes sense, but even if you stop now - you're still going to be in a wheelchair when you're back, no? Feel like I'm missing something. Feel free not to answer if you rather not get into these details.
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 14, 2023, 12:03:56 AMGreat advice, I wanted to test the reasoning of my decision against those who disagree, and I feel I have accomplished that. I think for some it is better to go the full 8. For me, my initial goal was 6 CM and I have reached that. I definitely have been journaling this experience, and will be sure to keep a record of why I decided to stop. Currently I am at 60.5 per the ERC, I am giving myself at least another day, and then deciding:)
That's great! To be honest if my starting height was similar to yours, I might've done the same thing, for similar reasons. Since I started at 5'4, I did want to go the full 8cm. In terms of my own proportions, I do feel like 6cm looked better.
My only take on lengthening more (just to balance out my previous messages) is to not overly emphasize short term decision making. That extra month lengthening (and also recovering, delaying work etc.) might seem bigger than it is right now, but you wouldn't care or remember any of that a year or two from now, it just won't matter. So while we do live in a world full of constrains, I encourage you to focus and prioritize the longer term reasons.
Here's the best way I can put this (and as hippo06 can tell you, I think about the same thing daily as I'm currently distracting):
I thought about stopping at 6 cm. My Physical Therapist (who has decades of experience, two doctorates and sees people of all sizes and proportions daily) put this best:
"You're not out of proportion at 8 cm, and absolutely no one will be able to tell, or care. If you're healthy, and can make it, you don't want to stop and regret not going all the way to the end."
I'm nearing 5 cm distracting, which puts me at 184 cm or so. I could stop right now, but I'm not going to. I don't want to consolidate, get better, and later get lingering thoughts that I didn't do everything I can while I had the chance. I'm certainly not going through this again.
Best of luck.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 14, 2023, 01:13:34 AMMakes sense, but even if you stop now - you're still going to be in a wheelchair when you're back, no? Feel like I'm missing something. Feel free not to answer if you rather not get into these details.
Because my bone growth is solid, I am approved to use crutches when I finish lengthening(assuming I stop lengthening at or shortly after 6 CM). Dr. A said he would allow 100lbs of weight bearing per leg. So I would be on crutches at work, which I could deal with.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 14, 2023, 01:13:34 AMThat's great! To be honest if my starting height was similar to yours, I might've done the same thing, for similar reasons. Since I started at 5'4, I did want to go the full 8cm. In terms of my own proportions, I do feel like 6cm looked better.
Awesome man, the cool thing is that you probably look even taller than 5'7 or 5'8 because you now have long legs, especially from afar.
Quote from: hippo60 on April 14, 2023, 01:13:34 AMMy only take on lengthening more (just to balance out my previous messages) is to not overly emphasize short term decision making. That extra month lengthening (and also recovering, delaying work etc.) might seem bigger than it is right now, but you wouldn't care or remember any of that a year or two from now, it just won't matter. So while we do live in a world full of constrains, I encourage you to focus and prioritize the longer term reasons.
Good perspective, and if the time were the only factor (lengthening, consolidation, recovery), it would be a worthwhile tradeoff. But the increase in risk after 6CM, worsening biomechanics and proportions, additional loss of athleticism put it over the edge for me. But I won't be too prideful if in a year I regret the decision, I will return here and be honest about my regrets so that others can use that to inform their decision.
Quote from: uponly on April 14, 2023, 01:36:54 AMHere's the best way I can put this (and as hippo06 can tell you, I think about the same thing daily as I'm currently distracting):
I thought about stopping at 6 cm. My Physical Therapist (who has decades of experience, two doctorates and sees people of all sizes and proportions daily) put this best:
"You're not out of proportion at 8 cm, and absolutely no one will be able to tell, or care. If you're healthy, and can make it, you don't want to stop and regret not going all the way to the end."
I'm nearing 5 cm distracting, which puts me at 184 cm or so. I could stop right now, but I'm not going to. I don't want to consolidate, get better, and later get lingering thoughts that I didn't do everything I can while I had the chance. I'm certainly not going through this again.
Best of luck.
Thanks for the response. The input of your PT is valuable, but I will say that speaking with Dr. Assayag most of his patients that willingly stop short of 8CM are satisfied. In a weird way, your PT's opinion carries more weight with me since they are working closer with patients day in and day out.
We get caught up with numbers in these spaces: lengthening 8CM, being 180CM, 6 feet. It's more of a feeling we should be aiming for w/ this process, or a lack of a worry about our height.
A major downside of the non-stryde nails is that you don't get to experience your new height as it comes , unless you are using your walker around other people. You're usually not out in normal social situations that would trigger your height dysphoria, so how do you know if its still there? How do we know if that "feeling" has been reached?
I am sure at your starting height you get people asking why you would even bother with this surgery, but you have the same dysphoria that anyone else getting this surgery has. In my opinion, once you've reached a point where that dysphoria is gone, you've won, and it is time to move onto other things. Statistically, going from 179 to 185 is jumping 23 percentiles in height. That is a pretty big difference. That additional 2 CM bumps you up another 4.4 percentiles. Its definitely a case of diminishing returns. Listen to your body, and do what feels right. You'll have my support regardless.
The way I look at it, is will I ever be in a situation where I will think "Darn, If I was 1.7CM taller I would feel so much better right now"? I can't see it. Its more likely I am in a situation where I think I need 4 CM more and need to go get my tibias done. I hope that day never comes, but I can't completely rule it out. Truthfully I am human and I will probably rationalize whatever decision I make.
When you are in consolidation and it takes months to get back to normal, you may regret not getting that extra 1-2 cm.
If the bone growth is good, then one should definitely go for it!
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 14, 2023, 03:54:47 AMBecause my bone growth is solid, I am approved to use crutches when I finish lengthening(assuming I stop lengthening at or shortly after 6 CM). Dr. A said he would allow 100lbs of weight bearing per leg. So I would be on crutches at work, which I could deal with.
Awesome man, the cool thing is that you probably look even taller than 5'7 or 5'8 because you now have long legs, especially from afar.
That's amazing! And true on looking taller. I may also look taller if I do my tibias 
Quote from: FortunateSon on April 14, 2023, 03:54:47 AMGood perspective, and if the time were the only factor (lengthening, consolidation, recovery), it would be a worthwhile tradeoff. But the increase in risk after 6CM, worsening biomechanics and proportions, additional loss of athleticism put it over the edge for me. But I won't be too prideful if in a year I regret the decision, I will return here and be honest about my regrets so that others can use that to inform their decision.
The way I look at it, is will I ever be in a situation where I will think "Darn, If I was 1.7CM taller I would feel so much better right now"? I can't see it. Its more likely I am in a situation where I think I need 4 CM more and need to go get my tibias done. I hope that day never comes, but I can't completely rule it out. Truthfully I am human and I will probably rationalize whatever decision I make.
Everything you wrote makes sense. I've read countless of diaries and don't believe I've seen anyone regretful stopping at 6-7cm. It's more about how they feel amazing that they're 6-7cm taller and that's what they focus on.
Good luck with your recovery 
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