Posted on Jan 8, 2020, 12:41 am
#1
Hey everyone.
Undergoing cosmetic leg lengthening has been in my mind for quite some time. With the Stryde nail, I felt the technology was here to recover with minimum downtime. My decision to undergo this procedure is a result of Height Dysphoria I have from being in the last 5th percentile of men in regards to height. I would like to think I am successful in most areas of my life, and my height has never held me back from anything in a meaningful way. Still, the thought of feeling better about myself, and my tendency to fixate on what I want, led me to this point. This procedure is not necessary, and I would advise anyone thinking about this to consider evaluating their mental health primarily. Perhaps such an operation says something about my mental state, however optimistic I may be.
Age: 23
Height: 164cm
The first step of my journey was to visit Athens to meet with Dr. Giotikas back in August of 2019. There, I met him and his staff, and I had a consultation which included X-rays, flexibility assessment, body proportions assessment, potential risks and complications, and also a little bit about myself. Dr. Giotikas presented a calm atmosphere, admitting to all potential risks, which surely trended me towards trusting in his judgment. My contact with the doctor and his team were professional, respectful, and responsive at all times throughout the past couple of months.
A body proportion analysis uncovered my femurs being much larger than my tibias. A growth of just 4cm would put me in unnatural territory. Conversely, a growth of 6-7cm in tibias, provided it is safe, will allow for a normal femur-to-tibia ratio, according to the largest sample size of body proportions (n=6000). At first, I was disappointed with the option of not going for femurs, but now I am delighted knowing that with the proper effort and stretching, I may reach very close to the 8cm I could have gotten from femurs, while maintaining a perfect femur-to-tibia ratio. My other proportions such as wingspan to height, legs to height, sitting height to height, are at the upper end of normal after the lengthening is completed. I would not do two operations due to time & money, unnatural proportions, and worse athletic recovery.
Fast forward to today, I am back in Athens. This day prior to my surgery had consisted of my preoperative checks. I once again met with Dr. Giotikas, signed a consent form, and I had a chance to go over any more questions I had. An important note to point out to anyone considering tibias is the reeming process. An intrapatellar approach (guiding the nail through the patellar tendon), had resulted in reports of anterior (front) knee pain, according to a study in which about 47% reported this being the case. Theoretically, going around the patellar tendon, would eliminate this anterior knee pain. Fortunately, Dr. Giotikas has used the suprapatellar [above (but technically going around) the patella] approach for much of his career, and it is in his opinion, which matches the research, that participants do not complain about anterior knee pain in any significant magnitude. This is not to say there is a significant reduction in nerve injuries or risk of compartment syndrome, but this alone, as well as less loss of blood, and quicker fluoroscopy times, lead to a more efficient surgery. Time will tell if I feel the positive effects of it, or rather, the absence of long term anterior knee pain. Following that, we went over logistical concerns (where I stay, internet access, passport for visa extensions, next of kin, etc.). Then I went to get an EKG and blood work, followed by a chat with the cardiologist, followed by further X-rays of my tibias and chest, and finally meeting with the anesthetist.
Athletic recovery is of the highest importance. My full, undivided effort will be towards recovery. I will be running at my normal speed in 9 months (God willing).
My surgery is tomorrow, wish me luck. 😊
P.S. In case anyone is coming to Athens in the next three months and would like a roommate, feel free to reach out.
Undergoing cosmetic leg lengthening has been in my mind for quite some time. With the Stryde nail, I felt the technology was here to recover with minimum downtime. My decision to undergo this procedure is a result of Height Dysphoria I have from being in the last 5th percentile of men in regards to height. I would like to think I am successful in most areas of my life, and my height has never held me back from anything in a meaningful way. Still, the thought of feeling better about myself, and my tendency to fixate on what I want, led me to this point. This procedure is not necessary, and I would advise anyone thinking about this to consider evaluating their mental health primarily. Perhaps such an operation says something about my mental state, however optimistic I may be.
Age: 23
Height: 164cm
The first step of my journey was to visit Athens to meet with Dr. Giotikas back in August of 2019. There, I met him and his staff, and I had a consultation which included X-rays, flexibility assessment, body proportions assessment, potential risks and complications, and also a little bit about myself. Dr. Giotikas presented a calm atmosphere, admitting to all potential risks, which surely trended me towards trusting in his judgment. My contact with the doctor and his team were professional, respectful, and responsive at all times throughout the past couple of months.
A body proportion analysis uncovered my femurs being much larger than my tibias. A growth of just 4cm would put me in unnatural territory. Conversely, a growth of 6-7cm in tibias, provided it is safe, will allow for a normal femur-to-tibia ratio, according to the largest sample size of body proportions (n=6000). At first, I was disappointed with the option of not going for femurs, but now I am delighted knowing that with the proper effort and stretching, I may reach very close to the 8cm I could have gotten from femurs, while maintaining a perfect femur-to-tibia ratio. My other proportions such as wingspan to height, legs to height, sitting height to height, are at the upper end of normal after the lengthening is completed. I would not do two operations due to time & money, unnatural proportions, and worse athletic recovery.
Fast forward to today, I am back in Athens. This day prior to my surgery had consisted of my preoperative checks. I once again met with Dr. Giotikas, signed a consent form, and I had a chance to go over any more questions I had. An important note to point out to anyone considering tibias is the reeming process. An intrapatellar approach (guiding the nail through the patellar tendon), had resulted in reports of anterior (front) knee pain, according to a study in which about 47% reported this being the case. Theoretically, going around the patellar tendon, would eliminate this anterior knee pain. Fortunately, Dr. Giotikas has used the suprapatellar [above (but technically going around) the patella] approach for much of his career, and it is in his opinion, which matches the research, that participants do not complain about anterior knee pain in any significant magnitude. This is not to say there is a significant reduction in nerve injuries or risk of compartment syndrome, but this alone, as well as less loss of blood, and quicker fluoroscopy times, lead to a more efficient surgery. Time will tell if I feel the positive effects of it, or rather, the absence of long term anterior knee pain. Following that, we went over logistical concerns (where I stay, internet access, passport for visa extensions, next of kin, etc.). Then I went to get an EKG and blood work, followed by a chat with the cardiologist, followed by further X-rays of my tibias and chest, and finally meeting with the anesthetist.
Athletic recovery is of the highest importance. My full, undivided effort will be towards recovery. I will be running at my normal speed in 9 months (God willing).
My surgery is tomorrow, wish me luck. 😊
P.S. In case anyone is coming to Athens in the next three months and would like a roommate, feel free to reach out.
