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Posted on Jan 7, 2019, 10:26 pm
#1
Greetings every one!

I wanted to announce that I have officially completed the Stryde nail limb lengthening surgery last week with Dr. Shahab Mahboubian of North Hollywood, CA.   The surgery itself went very smooth and I have now began to proceed down a pathway toward an increased height. My goal is to increase my height by appropriately 3 inches (8 centimeters).  I chose Dr. Mahboubian because he is professional, has an excellent track record, is personable with his patients and is also very local and offers a very convenient process for me (If you can ever call CLL convenient, lol)

A bit about me:

I'm a 37 year old male and a successful business entrepreneur, attractive, and in a relationship with an attractive woman (inside and out).  My reason for pursuing the height increase surrounds my desire to be at a height range that I would be most comfortable at.  I am currently 5'1.25" (156.21cm).  An increase of 6.5 cm - 8 cm places me at about 5'4" and with my typical footwear, around 5'5/5'6. I'm very comfortable with this height.  I also, recently lost my parents, sadly to disease and cancer, respectively; so more than ever I realize that one has to do all possible to live their very best life; while they still can.  I actually met with Dror Paley about the potential of CLL back in 1999; and decided against it at 17 years old. I didn't pursue at that time because i didn't want my parents to have to refinance their home and go through so many life changes in order to pursue the procedure. My dad would of had to stay in CA to work and my Mom would have been taking care of me in Florida. No way I was going to put them through this.  Ultimately, 20 years later, I was able to afford to have it done myself, had all the time and resources and felt that now was a good time to Stryde with Mahboubian. I want 8 centimeters. 

I will be as detailed as possible with my day-to-day updates and I ask for constructive feedback always. 

"The Surgery"   Arrived at 5:30. Was admitted by administrators into the hospital (30 minutes), Brought into a room and had basic medical tests performed and IV connected (1 hour), and then met with Dr. Mahboubian and Anesthesiologist (10-15 minutes).  Eventually you are wheeled off while in stretcher type bed; waiving to your family goodbye; and in my case it was my sister as they brought me to the operating room.  They connect you to some anesthetic and the next thing you remember is being in the recovery room being tended to my friendly nurses ensuring your comfort is good to go.   After setting up my legs nicely with ice, covering me with warm blanks and running a few more tests with me; I was wheeled into my hospital room.  The pain level was 2 maybe 3; at this point as I was pretty well induced with morphine and anesthetic.   Barely any swelling on my legs at all. I felt so very well cared for and taken care of to be honest.   In speaking with the doctors and other medical professionals at the hospital, as well as administrators; you truly gain a sense that nothing about this procedure is taboo. This is medical and when done right its successful.   The surgery prep, implementation, and wrap-up takes about 4 hours in total. After my surgery was completed, Dr. Mahboubian, met with my sister who was standing by in the waiting room and she received the good news. My Surgery went great.  Everything smooth and order.  More challenges are ahead; but to hear that the surgical portion was now checked off; well that's just fantastic to know. 

I have to get some work done now and will try to update my first 5 days post surgery tonight, as well as provide a detailed descriptive of how I'm pulling this all off, including care, transportation, etc. I hope to provide a valuable insight on ways to pursuit the surgery with leverage.   So far, I will say that I really like Dr. Mahboubian.  You'll learn more about him, me, and the life changing procedure each day as I conquer it along side my brilliant Doctor, and the rest of the care team!
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Posted on Jan 7, 2019, 10:43 pm
#2
I am happy to hear the surgery was successful.
I hope your lengthening and recovery is just as successful!

37 years old is not old at all. You have many years u will enjoy your new height!
en entire lifetime! Your life starts over again the day you finnish lengthening!
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Posted on Jan 7, 2019, 11:39 pm
#3
good luck in your journey !
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Posted on Jan 8, 2019, 1:08 am
#4
Hi InFullStryde,

Wish you best of luck in your journey. I am going to do CLL Stryde with Dr.M soon. Your journey would be really helpful for future LLers.  Please provide all details as much as you can.
Thank you.
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Posted on Jan 8, 2019, 5:40 am
#5
Wow!cheer !  In full Stryde you are the first Stryde patient of Dr. Mahboubian.
Thanks for your sharing.
Keep strong!
Could I ask you a question? What is the estimated total price?
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Posted on Jan 8, 2019, 6:14 am
#6
You're in great hands!  I am almost a year post op with Dr. M, and am happy with my choice and decision to pursue this surgery.

Happy for you! All the best with your journey!

Reach out if you need anything at all. I am local.

LAGrowin - surgery 1/18/18
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Posted on Jan 8, 2019, 8:33 pm
#7
Awesome, man I have a question that I pmed you, plz cehck, thanks
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Posted on Jan 9, 2019, 7:46 am
#8
Hey, thanks for doing a diary of your experience. Im also thinking about getting this done with a dr in the U.S. and been lurking on this forum for a few months now and it really helps so appreciate you and the others who do this. Hope the best for you during this process and hope you reach your goal.
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Posted on Jan 9, 2019, 5:43 pm
#9
Day 1 - A Great Start

The first day, includes the morning of surgery.  Honestly, it was a good one.  I was starting to feel excited about taking this step forward.  I met my initial nurse for that morning/afternoon, Mario and he was a super nice guy. He even mentioned that I was his favorite patient that day (LOL).   I think it's because I really didn't bother much and I know how busy the nurses get in hospitals.  My pain level was on average a 2 or 3. I was able to lift my legs and do heel drags as well.   The tightness is definitely there; but not over whelming. I was able to bend my knee, approaching a right angle; so the future feels indeed bright.   I will say that my left leg was far more sensitive to movement than my right was.  My right felt ready to go from the start; however the passive left leg, not so much.   

The rest of the day included meals, attentive care and a PT session.  Moment of truth... Baring weight on the Stryde nail.... Once I was able to get on both of my feet, i tested this carefully by simply letting go of my walker for a brief few seconds while being spotted by the nurses and it is indeed true that Stryde will hold you strong.  The key is however; for your legs to be able to hold your own weight.  This will take some time for most of us. After a traumatic surgery; its best to not push it. I was able to take about 4 steps foot dragging, mummy steps, lol and then back to bed.  Pain at this point during the first walk was about a 8.  It hurts for obvious reasons.

The rest of the day was calm. I continued to push the pain button to ensure that I was getting a steady dose of Morphine as the Antithetic was wearing off.  My pain never exceeded a 3.5 on day one while in a rested state (non PT). 

The day finally ended for me at about 11:00 pm, when the Nurse pulled out my catheter. It was definitely a strange feeling but it came out quickly.   I admit i cringed; but it was over before I knew it;  just like the LL surgery was.

Day 2 - The Letter P

Oh my, the 2nd day definitely brought the drama.  Before getting into that; let me mention that early morning, my kind and smart, Orthopedic Doctor and Surgeon, Dr. Mahboubian, came to see me.  Wanted to see how I was doing and all I was good except for my left leg which was painful when applying movement or pressure.  The Dr. performed some light stretching with me and felt good with range of motion; however he was able to see the pain. He mentioned to give it some time as it could take up to a week or even a little more with some legs. No one leg is built alike (even your own legs). Whew, so we push on....Okay now.... The almighty peeing situation post catheter is a fun one. At around 4:00 am, I reported to the nurse that I was struggling to "pee" and felt uncomfortable in the bladder area.   Ultimately, she performed a quick bladder scan and found over 1000 cc's i believe of urine...my bladder/lower stomach was extended out and she didn't have much of a choice...She had to insert a straight catheter.  Without a doubt one of more painful experiences of my life.   This move cleared out the urine and I felt a lot better afterward.   This is just one of those things that are hard to avoid sometimes.   She then had to remove the catheter because the strait catheters are only temporary and cannot be left in for very long...that hurt too; but not as bad.  Now the race to pee ASAP into a normal urinal was on. I did not want to have another cat put into me.... Hours went by and I still struggled to go number 1.  Then it was PT time.... This was a particular struggle for me on day 2.  My left leg was just not up to speed with the right one yet and felt very sore with any kind of movement or weight baring.  With a desire to pee however; I still willed my self to the restroom..slowly, mummy foot dragging steps, step by step on the walker, I made it; but it was rocky...and guess what. I still couldn't go number 1!   The nurses; we're very nice and wanted to avoid the catheter for me as well...so they stood me up 2 more times and held the urinal in front of me hoping that it would help me in doing the deed. Still couldn't do it...My last hope was even PT.... Good guy, Allen.... Once more we struggled to get the rest room due to a sore left leg....but this time, once I arrived to the toilet, I finally was able to pee. It felt like the biggest accomplishment of my life  Diary - January 2019 - In Full Stryde with Dr. Mahboubian of North Hollywood. The rest of the day; I was able to pee while laying down in a urinal. Again, despite all the education and accolades and huge business success that I had earned over my life; this felt like my greatest accomplishment.  I was the Peeing Champion of the World. Rest of the day ended uneventfully. listened to some music on my headphones and was able to sleep soundly through the night.

I will summarize day 3 of discharge and my first four days at home, later tonight for all of you.  As it stand now, the biggest struggle I have is that my left leg is not strong enough to hold my weight yet; so I cannot enjoy the sweet euphoria of taking walker steps...  Having said that, I am stretching 3 times a day and keeping my legs moving as to improve range of motion, stay loose, and gain strength back little by little. I just had two bones broke, after all right? Stay turned for more laughs and drama in the coming days. 

Talk soon, Guys.
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Posted on Jan 9, 2019, 6:26 pm
#10
congrats on starting your journey!

Could you post any pictures or videos?
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