Well, I found a list for doctors who do LL. A long list for most doctors all over the world. I knew my budget was no more than 25k USD. I made my researches about LL, like where it started, how it works, etc. I didnt come across this site or old forum , but I found a lot of information to educate my self. I knew my options were limited because of my budget. I really worked my ass off to save it up!! one full year and few months, I even sold my car hehe, I had to let my business in hands of one guy who works for me, etc. So well, I knew my best option was going to the source where all this started (Ilizarov technology) Other places looked tempting, like India, serbia, even ukraine and Armenia. But I knew that if this was invented in Russia and I had a chance to actually go there I didnt think twice. Plus I always was very interested about russian culture, I love Russian women BTW, even before coming here lol
So, I contacted the center of Kurgan, the ilizarov center, and also this place in volgograd where I am. It all came down to these 2 places. I contacted Irene and chat for few weeks and I felt good talking to her. I also got a number of a guy from the US who did this surgery, I spoke to him and he made me feel good, he is all recovered 100%, I love this guy to dead!! he was my mentor if I can say so. During all this process he is always been there for me, giving me support and just great vibe!! So i decided to come here and have a consultation, even thou i already knew I was going to do it unless i saw some crazy going on. So I had consultation, and I liked when Dr. Barinov told me: Our first priority is your health, making sure that i wouldnt have permanent problems, and second lengthening. So I really liked that, and he seem very calm young and I saw other patients, and everyone seemed to be doing well, girls were cute! people where friendly for the most part. So that is how I decided to do it here))) I hope that is enough))))
9 centimeters on tibias with Dr. Barinov, Volgograd-Russia
Quote from: Wannabegiant on March 20, 2014, 04:57:44 PMI dont really understand what you mean by walking for 6+ hours a day? Do you walk outside with the crutches for long distances that take you several hours to reach?
it seems so excessive, Im slightly over 1 cm into lengthening phase and i have been walking with my "walker" through my hallway and back (which is about 40 metres including the way back) about 5 times a day. That doesnt even add up to 1 hour in total, i think it takes me about 5 minutes to go through the hallway and back. I dont put full weight on my legs either, so i get tired in my arms before my legs tire, trying to slightly increase the weight i put on the legs though.
But i dont think i could walk for that long (6+ hours) every day. I dont think my legs in their current condition could handle it, and also mentally i dont think i could spend so much time doing one thing 
Dont worry in the beginning your arms will feel like that, you must drop the walker as soon as possible it's a bad habit to have, because your arms do most of the work and your legs practically just move in the air lol Yeah I go out side, then just walk through my hall which i measured it and is exactly 30 meters, then I talk to people, dance a little i just dont ever sit, so everything I do im always standing, thats how u do 6 hours)) i put my phone and time my self, so usually i do 2 hours or 3 in the morning then another hour in the afternoon then about 2 or 3 hours at night around 7 or 8 pm when everyone is gone, so thats how i do it my friend)) it is much easier when other patients come because i kinda forget about time and by the time they leave i already walked maybe 2 or 3 or sometimes 4 hours. so ill break it down. i wake up have breakfast. around 10am i start and walke until lunch comes arround 1 pm so that's 3 hours, then i take a big break and do another 1 or 2 hours around 3pm, then another break and again at 7 or 8pm another 2 or 3 hours. once i week i do 8 hours. Youll get there dont worry))))in the begining is very hard, at your stage i was doing about 3 hours thou.
Quote from: RGKEY on March 21, 2014, 07:11:14 AMDont worry in the beginning your arms will feel like that, you must drop the walker as soon as possible it's a bad habit to have, because your arms do most of the work and your legs practically just move in the air lol Yeah I go out side, then just walk through my hall which i measured it and is exactly 30 meters, then I talk to people, dance a little i just dont ever sit, so everything I do im always standing, thats how u do 6 hours)) i put my phone and time my self, so usually i do 2 hours or 3 in the morning then another hour in the afternoon then about 2 or 3 hours at night around 7 or 8 pm when everyone is gone, so thats how i do it my friend)) it is much easier when other patients come because i kinda forget about time and by the time they leave i already walked maybe 2 or 3 or sometimes 4 hours. so ill break it down. i wake up have breakfast. around 10am i start and walke until lunch comes arround 1 pm so that's 3 hours, then i take a big break and do another 1 or 2 hours around 3pm, then another break and again at 7 or 8pm another 2 or 3 hours. once i week i do 8 hours. Youll get there dont worry))))in the begining is very hard, at your stage i was doing about 3 hours thou.
Okey gotcha! Sounds more reasonable when you put it like that 
Btw did your doctor give you those footholders you where talking about? i think i seriously need to start using something like that, but i didnt get any from my doctor. not really sure what type i should use, do you attach the hoops to the ilizarov rings or to the legs themselves? :p
Hey guys, a quick video of my walking, I think it's improving slowly while I have less discomfort when I make every step. I still have some pain when I walk maybe that is why I can't walk as I wish, but I have learned to go day by day, step by step))))
Quote from: RGKEY on March 21, 2014, 10:41:42 AMHey guys, a quick video of my walking, I think it's improving slowly while I have less discomfort when I make every step. I still have some pain when I walk maybe that is why I can't walk as I wish, but I have learned to go day by day, step by step))))
Wow man looks great!! You're moving really fast and steady, the slight side to side motion looks more like a confident swagger now 
Hey RG,
Why does the swaying happen when you walk? Is it from pain? not full consolidation? Weak muscles?
@Thetallerman: haha thanx!! im almost there but not yet, just a little more))) confident swagger!!?? haha nice!! If you put it that way, it is very welcome brother!! that makes me feel good))thank you!
@Shawty: most of it is now from pain on the pin sites, and also because Im kinda learning how to walk again, ive been walking with crutches for many months!! so it is natural to forget how to walk and especially been 9cms taller)) muscles are fine, bone is fine too and it doesn't matter because the frames are pretty much holding all my weight.
Im like a baby now learning how to walk again))
Hey RG,
Did you go from 220lbs to 160 while doing LL or did you lose it prior to? I'm about 240lbs right now and am losing weight. I'd like to be at my goal weight of 165 before LL as it's less pressure on joints and legs. It's just going to stuck not being able to workout while doing LL. I'm sure people lose a lot of muscle mass. I wonder if you can at least do upper body workouts to preserve strength/muscle mass during LL
You seem to be doing really well. Keep it up bro!
Quote from: shawty on March 21, 2014, 11:05:45 PMHey RG,
Did you go from 220lbs to 160 while doing LL or did you lose it prior to? I'm about 240lbs right now and am losing weight. I'd like to be at my goal weight of 165 before LL as it's less pressure on joints and legs. It's just going to stuck not being able to workout while doing LL. I'm sure people lose a lot of muscle mass. I wonder if you can at least do upper body workouts to preserve strength/muscle mass during LL
i lost it before. u should lose weight before, and then stay in that weight at least for few months before LL. because you need to be completely healthy for LL, this is more important than weight. About working out, I was working out my upper body in the beginning but it is a bad IDEA!! because of it my bone regeneration was really bad!!! so do not work out other than your legs when lengthening. Actually being heavy is good for bone consolidation!! more weight for your legs it stimulates more the bone formation. That is why you see in my videos how i walk with 45 pounds gallon with water, because it is good for bone formation. During LL you should only focus on your legs and walking. I do now stretching for my upper body and sometimes some abs but nothing crazy like I used to.
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