great diary man. Hope you reach your height goal without any pain or complications along the way. I wanted to ask you if you resided in a different state that required you to take a flight back there what day after your procedure do you think you would be able to take the flight back without it feeling like a major hassle. Like a 4 hour flight in particular.
Quote from: Megatron on January 24, 2019, 02:21:12 PMgreat diary man. Hope you reach your height goal without any pain or complications along the way. I wanted to ask you if you resided in a different state that required you to take a flight back there what day after your procedure do you think you would be able to take the flight back without it feeling like a major hassle. Like a 4 hour flight in particular.
Good day Megatron! Thank you for the question. I really want everyone to ask questions because I think it's so important that everyone truly understand what this surgery is all about for a fairly typical candidate (myself).
Megatron, I had my surgery on the morning of January the 3rd. I was actually fortunate enough to be living and settled only 45 minutes away from Dr. M; so its quite convenient and almost feels like a regular doctors visit.
Let's be hypothetical and imagine what it would be like if I had to take a plane flight home. Okay, I would say, after a 3 day day in the hospital; I would probably hang around town for at least the first follow up visit with Dr. M. Knowing that you are going to be leaving soon; he may even schedule initial x-rays earlier than he did for me. My first x-rays aren't until Friday (again, me and Dr. M are neighbors practically). I would say at about day 7-10 you should be able to fairly swiftly travel via plane. You will want to make before hand accommodates with the airport and airline for a full 360 accommodate to your condition. I know money is always tight; but budget appropriately. Travel comfortable for yourself and keep yourself safe. So, 7 Days is cutting it close to travel, 10 days a bit better, 14 days is really nice because you will be feeling much better by this time (not perfect, but better). Ask Dr. M and staff questions, questions, questions... do not leave California without knowing everything you need to know; especially since you will not be here after surgery for the most part. Let me know if any additional concerns or questions you may have and I'll provide the best feedback possible.
Directly answering your question - 4 hour flight should be fine at day 7 or beyond, take some pain pills and make sure you have accommodations ready for you at the airport so that you transition smoothly. I would use wheelchair van transport to get you to Airport and to pick you up and take you home.
Day 21 - Three Weeks completed. [1.386 Centimeters Taller]
Good day LLer's
Three weeks are officially behind me and I'm over 1/2 inch taller and it makes a difference; it really does. Tomorrow will be my 3 week check-up and initial x-rays so I'm hoping to hear good things. I expect all should go just fine. Today, was my best day. My left leg felt a lot better; not yet at the level of my right leg; but a steady improvement. I walked a good bit and performed my stretches just about the entire day.
Here is what I able able to do so far at my 3rd Week w/ Stryde Nail Procedure.
1) I can stand straight up and down on both legs at the same time for many minutes at a time with no assistance, walker, or anything.
2) I am 100% Walker with little to no pain. I do not walk normal by any means yet nor can I walk unassisted yet. I do not have my balance quite at this point. Muscles through out my quad, hamstrings, hips, and gluts still need plenty of work; but they are coming back nicely. I honestly don't expect to walk 100% normal until the 5 or 6 month point. This process takes time; but I do anticipate getting better EVERY DAY. At least I am up and about on a walker with little pain to worry about (so far).
3) I am able to shower on my own and do all the needed daily prep on my own such as shaving, brushing my teeth etc.
4) Can prepare my own meals
5) Can reach for most things needed, and things out of my reach; I can just use an extend grabber
6) I'm working a full work day at home remotely, and expect to go back to work in a few weeks at least a couple a days per week.
7) Can safety sit down on my bow-flex machine and get a pretty decent upper body work out daily
Pain level during the day is at about a 3, it peaks at a 4 or 5 only in rare situations where I, by accident, sting a joint or surgery area. Pain at night is still a bit cumbersome and usually only for one leg at a time. I'm working on it; and expect that to subside soon. Honestly, by end of week 3; pain isn't a big issue at the moment. I hope it continues to get easier.
9) Can safely transfer to car, bed, toilet, couch, etc.
10) Favorite pain medicines so far are Tramadol and Tylenol PM combination.
11) Fun Fact: Yes; you will lose your flexibility (You feel tight and stiff in your upper legs) and most muscle strength in your legs after surgery; but with physical therapy performed by both you and your therapist; these things will come back each day. Literally, each day; you feel better. So far; I have had a positive progress point each day...which makes this process much more bearable when you can see improvement.
12) I have the tininess little scabs you have ever seen as far as the incisions are concerned. When they heal up totally; I doubt they will be noticeable at all, esp when hair grows over the light scaring.
Overall I'm feeling good. I'm going to keep stretching, keep standing up straight and as tall as I can and practice my walking. I know that I'll begin to feel that tightness once i hit the 2cm+ range; but I won't think about that too much. Just keep going strong because I have a goal.
I hope you guys are doing well and I'll check back in tomorrow evening and let you know how my 3 week check up went. X - Rays coming soon. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.
Best Regards,
Great update - good news to hear you're doing well!
Day 22 - My 3 week post-operation follow up with Dr. Mahboubian
Greetings LL'ers,
It was a bit of an exhausting day but got through it well. Day started fine enough; was able to get out of bed smoothly with no issues. I will note; for future LL'ers that the night time and morning can be one of the tougher parts of the entire LL process. Your legs are going to feel at there stiffest at this point. My best advice would be to try to be "awake" a bit earlier then when you actually have to get up so you can begin to perform some stretching and leg exercises while in bed. During which time; would be good to switch on the heater during those colder mornings and give your legs time to soak in the added heat. The chill definitely impacts the way your legs feel. I may even advise that, if you can pull it off, to wear pajama bottoms that are warm and comfy. This might make you hot; but its better to have your legs warm throughout the night. To combat the added heat; its a good idea to have a fan near by to blow cool air on you.
Today, I met with Dr. Mahboubian for my 3 week follow up and everything went great. It is a one hour drive from my apartment to Dr. M's offices and one hour drive back; so although it's not a airplane ride; its still a trip that can spend some energy, lol. I got through it, okay. I went in for x-rays and they also performed a high level assessment on how I was doing. Overall, Dr. M said he would say I'm doing better than most of his patients who engage this procedure. That is good to hear. I hope that the future LL'ers can say the same. I had one surprise.. It turns out that they measured my lengthening so far at 1.7 centimeters; which is a few mm more than I had measured myself! I was relieved to know that both legs were equal and that my nails are working just fine. I think my biggest fear with this entire process would be nails that don't work. Anyhow, all is looking good. Dr. M performed some flexibility tests and overall was pleased. He did however want me to work on one range of motion where my leg bends backwards toward my hamstring/butt. I will really try to put an increased effort into that going forward.
Here are my x-rays below which show both femurs, lengthened 1.7 centimeters in 13 day span.
Dr. M has instructed me to lengthen .33mm, 3 times a day for 3 weeks and then we will meet again. I'll be over 1.5 inches taller by my next appointment with him; which is an absolutely huge difference in my perception. Hard to believe that I'm gaining 1 inch per month. That really isn't a very long time to wait. It feels like yesterday that I was waking up in the post surgical recovery room...22 days ago. One must just do there best to organize their life and time around the CLL process.
I'm open to any feedback or questions.
Thank you and best regards,
Have not seen a decent diary in a long time man. Great to see you doing so well. Keep it up and you have my best wishes mate!
Quote from: Hamiltonzac on January 26, 2019, 02:35:12 AMHave not seen a decent diary in a long time man. Great to see you doing so well. Keep it up and you have my best wishes mate!
Hamiltonzac -I really appreciate your kind words, friend. My goal is to bring us all through journey together each and every day. The Process of CLL is unique and special, and there is so much value to telling the story. Thank you again, man. I'm going to keep trying my best.
Which diameter Stryde nails are these?
Quote from: cool on January 26, 2019, 04:46:49 PMWhich diameter Stryde nails are these?
These are the 10mm nails for Stryde. Dr. M said it was a great fit.
InFullStryde-
What price did you pay for cometic lengthening of the femurs using Stryde?
What was included in the price?
Did health insurance cover any of the costs?
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