I'm 5'8, and just a disclaimer before I get the backlash of "limb lengthening isn't worth it for you!", realize I've contemplated this procedure for an extremely long-time (since 18 and I'm 24 now). I've decided that it just doesn't feel worth it for me to stall getting this done as I've been doing so my entire 18+ life up to this point, and now I'm in a perfect place financially and age wise to get this done.
I'm looking to do two-stage lengthening and maintain proportions somewhat.
1) What's the best split in this case?
2.5 inches femur and 2 inches tibia?
2.25 inches femur and 2.25 inches tibia? Any other splits to consider?
2) What order should I get the segments done if I want to do them both in a year?
3) Which nails should I use for each segment? External tibia seems to be worrisome for me due to the delay lengthening time. Any thoughts?
Advice for 4.5 inches total across two segments?
Thanks for the well thought out reply!
As far whether it's worth it, it's extremely annoying when people say "at X height it's worth it, Y height it's not". People need to realize that it's solely worth it based on the satisfaction of the individual, purely subjective. If it's life-changing for someone going from 6'0 to 6'3, then it's not my place to say it's not worth it for this. It's a personal decision based on someone's newfound satisfaction of their post-surgery results.
I'll decide after the first surgery, but realistically don't see any reason to settle for 5'11 and not 6.05. Yes, the surgery is extremely painful, costly, time-consuming, but the height increase is a quality-of-life improvement that extends for the rest of my life.
People go through traumatic gambits in life to make the rest of their lives easier all the time. Example, college degree at an intense school, medschool, lawful school, intense early careers etc.
Why is limb lengthening any different? 1-3 years of your life, significantly higher quality-of-life for the rest of your life. It seems like an obvious fair trade to me.
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