Bilateral Femur Lengthening Dairy: May 2021 with Dr Betz and Betzbone

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GOOD LUCK SirStretchAlot!

I am looking forward to reading your diary as my surgery with Betz is scheduled for the 29th of July...

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@chasing_higher_dream
I have confirmed with Dr Betz that I used the 13mm nail. There was also an initial surgery gap of 5mm (so I'm already 0.5cm taller).

@RealLostSoul
I believe the mask was only for oxygen. I was pretty sure that I was knocked out by IV. The initial cramp is the main problem. I woke up fully dressed, so I was glad I got general anesthesia. The nausea during day 1 was intense though. Couldn't sit up or eat because of the nausea.

@RB
Thanks! I was just wondering when I can shower. Hopefully my legs will be strong enough tomorrow.

@Zatoichi
Great to see you join in on the action! I personally didn't have any issues travelling around Germany or getting to the clinic. A 40 Euro train ticket takes you from the airport to the local train station with a single connection. Booking your Airbnb between the station and the hospital helps!

@DonBones
Glad to hear! He's the only one around now with weight-bearing nails. I think it's a no-brainer until maybe next year when Stryde is back. I think you've made the right decision!

Day 2
The nausea from anesthesia is now gone, so I could finally eat! The hospital food quality was poor though. For breakfast, I got 2 stale bread. Lunch was slightly better with schnitzel, fries and salad. Dinner was just ham and bread... Most nurses, including my physiotherapist have limited understanding of English. So I have to use Google Translate or just not make certain requests. I took several pills which included supplements and blood thinners. The staff are all very nice but I would say the hospital stay has been a downer overall.

On a more optimistic note, I have been able to walk back and forth in the hallways with crutches! I can walk for probably about 20 minutes before tiring. No more peeing in bottles. There's barely any pain now when I'm still. They come up only when I twist or turn. I have been able to brush my teeth, but not shower (my Day 3 goal).

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Quote from: SirStretchAlot on May 04, 2021, 05:46:01 PM@chasing_higher_dream
I have confirmed with Dr Betz that I used the 13mm nail. There was also an initial surgery gap of 5mm (so I'm already 0.5cm taller).

@RealLostSoul
I believe the mask was only for oxygen. I was pretty sure that I was knocked out by IV. The initial cramp is the main problem. I woke up fully dressed, so I was glad I got general anesthesia. The nausea during day 1 was intense though. Couldn't sit up or eat because of the nausea.

@RB
Thanks! I was just wondering when I can shower. Hopefully my legs will be strong enough tomorrow.

@Zatoichi
Great to see you join in on the action! I personally didn't have any issues travelling around Germany or getting to the clinic. A 40 Euro train ticket takes you from the airport to the local train station with a single connection. Booking your Airbnb between the station and the hospital helps!

@DonBones
Glad to hear! He's the only one around now with weight-bearing nails. I think it's a no-brainer until maybe next year when Stryde is back. I think you've made the right decision!

Day 2
The nausea from anesthesia is now gone, so I could finally eat! The hospital food quality was poor though. For breakfast, I got 2 stale bread. Lunch was slightly better with schnitzel, fries and salad. Dinner was just ham and bread... Most nurses, including my physiotherapist have limited understanding of English. So I have to use Google Translate or just not make certain requests. I took several pills which included supplements and blood thinners. The staff are all very nice but I would say the hospital stay has been a downer overall.

On a more optimistic note, I have been able to walk back and forth in the hallways with crutches! I can walk for probably about 20 minutes before tiring. No more peeing in bottles. There's barely any pain now when I'm still. They come up only when I twist or turn. I have been able to brush my teeth, but not shower (my Day 3 goal).

Good to hear your are making progress!!

It's weird that the hospital seems to be average. According to the bill they sent me up to 14 days in that hospital comes to €16000. That is €1142 per day. That kind of money would pay for one of the finest hotels on the Maldives..

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Quote from: DonBones on May 04, 2021, 06:14:47 PMGood to hear your are making progress!!

It's weird that the hospital seems to be average. According to the bill they sent me up to 14 days in that hospital comes to €16000. That is €1142 per day. That kind of money would pay for one of the finest hotels on the Maldives..

Betz had to move hospitals because of covid but I don‘t know if that‘s the reason though.

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That is cheap compared to the US.

A state run medical system in an old hospital and high patient to doctor or nurse ratio still costs $500 a day.

Western medical care is expensive unfortunately

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I realise it's expensive, but I'd have hoped for that money it would be at least modern, offering good food and maybe some recreational facilities. Now I know why RB didn't like it

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Quote from: SirStretchAlot on May 04, 2021, 05:46:01 PM@chasing_higher_dream
I have confirmed with Dr Betz that I used the 13mm nail. There was also an initial surgery gap of 5mm (so I'm already 0.5cm taller).

@RealLostSoul
I believe the mask was only for oxygen. I was pretty sure that I was knocked out by IV. The initial cramp is the main problem. I woke up fully dressed, so I was glad I got general anesthesia. The nausea during day 1 was intense though. Couldn't sit up or eat because of the nausea.

@RB
Thanks! I was just wondering when I can shower. Hopefully my legs will be strong enough tomorrow.

@Zatoichi
Great to see you join in on the action! I personally didn't have any issues travelling around Germany or getting to the clinic. A 40 Euro train ticket takes you from the airport to the local train station with a single connection. Booking your Airbnb between the station and the hospital helps!

@DonBones
Glad to hear! He's the only one around now with weight-bearing nails. I think it's a no-brainer until maybe next year when Stryde is back. I think you've made the right decision!

Day 2
The nausea from anesthesia is now gone, so I could finally eat! The hospital food quality was poor though. For breakfast, I got 2 stale bread. Lunch was slightly better with schnitzel, fries and salad. Dinner was just ham and bread... Most nurses, including my physiotherapist have limited understanding of English. So I have to use Google Translate or just not make certain requests. I took several pills which included supplements and blood thinners. The staff are all very nice but I would say the hospital stay has been a downer overall.

On a more optimistic note, I have been able to walk back and forth in the hallways with crutches! I can walk for probably about 20 minutes before tiring. No more peeing in bottles. There's barely any pain now when I'm still. They come up only when I twist or turn. I have been able to brush my teeth, but not shower (my Day 3 goal).

I think I showered on the 3rd day so you seem to be on a similar track. I used the seat in the shower the first time but every time after that I was able to shower standing in one spot. Let me know how you go with it!

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- You wingspan is on good side. You would look very proportionate in terms of arms length.

- I guess we would not be able to meet, since I would not be there at that duration.

- That's great. I presume 13mm is the largest nail size of Betzbone, hence you can weight-bear without any worries
Dr. Betz had said he would use 11mm Betzbone nail for me, hence I have to be more careful since less nail diameter = less weight bearing.

- By the way, I had my surgery planned for 3rd of May 2021 (this is same as your date of surgery :p), but my surgery was cancelled due to some issues and got postponed.
I will have this surgery somewhere around end of May.

- Sad to hear that the hospital and its amenities are not state of the art. Nonetheless, what matters most is the surgeon who is operating on our legs, IMO, Dr. Betz is one of the best out there due to his significant amount of experience in LL field.

I wish you a safe lengthening phase.

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RB
Daniela and Betz just told me that it has to be third day not including surgery. And the nurses have to re-wrap me. UGH

DonBones
Yeah so a previous Betz patient just rolled into my room, after having his nail removed. He was at a hospital 10 miles nearby, and said it was state of the art! Good food, good fascilities, hot nurses even >_>. I think Dr Betz had to change because of Covid, though he didn't lower his hospital costs.

chasing_higher_dream
Aww, maybe we will be able to do the removal together? 13mm is indeed the widest nail. Dr Betz said I had very wide bone marrow. I think it really comes down to high thick-boned one is, otherwise the nail would not fit the curvature of your femur. Yeah, The hospital has been a downer, but it's great that we caught Dr Betz, since he should be retiring soon. He's training Nada, another surgeon right now.

Day 4
Still no shower, since Dr Betz said not until day 3 after surgery (not counting the surgery date). After the anesthesia wore off during last night, I couldn't sleep. Had to take painkillers to sleep. But to my surprise a former patient who came in to get his nail removed was rolled into my room. We had a blast chatting about his lengthening journey, the confidence he built, and the overall improvement in life quality he experienced. I'm more optimistic than ever.

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Day 4

Just realized I've been given painkillers 3 times a day. It has caused some constipation, hence why I only shat a little today. Was able to duck walk slowly over small distances without crutches. Walking with crutches is much easier. Bought external food because the hospital food is terrible. Got another person who has gotten his nail removed coming in this Friday. Clicking starts on Monday, so I still have a few days to recover.