Diary - January 2019 - In Full Stryde with Dr. Mahboubian of North Hollywood.

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Quote from: InFullStryde on September 12, 2019, 02:03:11 PMEZ, I forgot to mention; but one strategy that worked for me was sliding my self on and off the bed by "scooting" onto the bed butt side first with legs extended, careful not to move the legs much.  To get off the bed, I would scoot by butt forward off the bed, again, legs extended and not moving legs too much.  Not sure if anyone else used this tecnhnique; but for those of us who really struggle with movement immediately after surgery, this might be an option.

Hey InFullStryde, thank you for sharing your experiences! How much money would you budget to do 8 cm of femur lengthening with your doctor? Including living costs and everything?

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Quote from: CodyTheDog on October 13, 2019, 03:19:08 PMHey InFullStryde, thank you for sharing your experiences! How much money would you budget to do 8 cm of femur lengthening with your doctor? Including living costs and everything?

Hi Cody,

I would estimate that the costs, including surgery, PT (co-pay w/ insurance), prescriptions (co-pay w/ insurance) and auxiliary equipment such as a walker, crutches, etc. come to about $75,000.   I was fortunate enough to be able to undergo the CLL procedure in the comfort of my own home since I am local to Dr. M's offices so as far as living expenses... this would be in the range of what one could expect for about 90 days of lodging at a motel and your standard living expenses.   I'd estimate that with travel and living expenses in mind you should probably budget about 80-85K.   

I should mention also, that it's wise to have money stored away for possible complications or at least a plan on how you plan to pay to resolve complications should you enounter them. It's a very small % of procedures that run into complications; however, it happens and you get through it.  Fortunately, I was complication-free. 

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Good morning my CLL'ers!

I hope you're all doing well.  Just checking in.  I plan on providing an update here very soon; but real quick - For all intents and purposes... I'm doing great.  I've been back to normal living for quite some time now (4 months roughly).  As I concluded the 9-month mark of my post-operative recovery, I'm back to jogging and my legs are feeling very normal now and aside from the occasional tightness which continues to improve, it's easy to forget I had anything done.   I'll be back with a more detailed update very soon.

Thank you again for all your support and whew, I'm glad this is just about over.   I plan on removing my nails at some point in mid to late 2020 or early 2021.

All the Best!

IFS

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Do you recommend Dr Mahbobian InFullStryde?

What were some pros and cons of going with him?

He does a lot of CLL cases but does he do a lot of other ortho surgeries?

I don't live in that area so can you tell me about how other people in that area perceive him? Like do people in the LA area say "Oh you have a bone problem, you should go see Dr. M he is an expert ortho surgeon"? Or is he known only for CLL in particular? How did you find out about him?

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Quote from: InFullStryde on October 14, 2019, 02:30:08 PMHi Cody,

I would estimate that the costs, including surgery, PT (co-pay w/ insurance), prescriptions (co-pay w/ insurance) and auxiliary equipment such as a walker, crutches, etc. come to about $75,000.   I was fortunate enough to be able to undergo the CLL procedure in the comfort of my own home since I am local to Dr. M's offices so as far as living expenses... this would be in the range of what one could expect for about 90 days of lodging at a motel and your standard living expenses.   I'd estimate that with travel and living expenses in mind you should probably budget about 80-85K.   

I should mention also, that it's wise to have money stored away for possible complications or at least a plan on how you plan to pay to resolve complications should you enounter them. It's a very small % of procedures that run into complications; however, it happens and you get through it.  Fortunately, I was complication-free.

Thanks! Aside from required equipment (walkers, crutches, etc), what other objects did you find were helpful for being partially immobilized? Ex: I heard some people get bath towels when they want to wash but don't want to go to the shower and risk slipping.

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Hi IFS—how long does it take for the bone to fill in and harden after the growth stops? My distraction is smaller than yours but curious how long it took for yours?

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Quote from: limewalk on October 14, 2019, 02:51:33 PMDo you recommend Dr Mahbobian InFullStryde?

What were some pros and cons of going with him?

He does a lot of CLL cases but does he do a lot of other ortho surgeries?

I don't live in that area so can you tell me about how other people in that area perceive him? Like do people in the LA area say "Oh you have a bone problem, you should go see Dr. M he is an expert ortho surgeon"? Or is he known only for CLL in particular? How did you find out about him?

Hi Limewalk, I'm happy to answer these questions.

Do you recommend Dr Mahbobian InFullStryde? Yes. 100%. Excellent surgeon and I have yet to see one recorded thread on a failed CLL. All of his patients from what I am aware of have been able to obtain at least 2 inches and most nearly 3 inches.  I chose Dr. M because he was close by to my home and had a good track record of successful CLL cases.

What were some pros and cons of going with him? I wouldn't call it a "Con" per se, however, I believe that many patients may feel more comfortable with an integrated Physical Therapy program.  Dr. M does not require you to lengthen in the city of North Hollywood, therefore he does not require you to attend his PT program and counts on his patients to sign up for certified PT programs at the location of their choosing.  Most patients prefer to lengthen at home.  I will say that Dr. M and staff work very closely with the PT program to ensure that the proper stretches and strengthing programs are being undergone. 

The pros: Personable and Good Bedside Manner.  Answers emails quickly.  Will respond same day/night via any calls to his after-hours dispatch, performs a clean, complication-free install of the Styrde nail. Most of his patients are up and walking unassisted within a few of weeks his surgery.  Minimal scars, and cost effective. He is offering the surgery at the lowest rate compared to the other CLL doctors and also is Care Credit eligble; so if you need to finance this surgery; you have this option.  The most important thing that Dr. M did for me was assess my body every 3 weeks to determine safe lengthening.  I was ready to stop at 2 inches because I was feeling very uncomfortable.  He emplored me to continue to 3 inches because based on his assessment; he knew I could do it. I cannot tell you how important that 3rd inch was to resolving my height dysporia.  Greatful for his candor and wanting to help me achieve the most out of this very difficult procedure. 

He does a lot of CLL cases but does he do a lot of other ortho surgeries?
Most of Dr. M's surgeries are non-height lengthening procedures. He's a Doctor of Orthopedics.  He resolves tears, twists, breaks, knock-knees, etc, etc, etc.  Height Lengthening is an auxillery service that he offers and promotes to men and woman who suffer from height dysphoria; but CLL is not what most of his reviews are compiled of.

Overall, I urge you to review Dr. M's yelp profile and other review profiles.  In addition, feel free to reach out to the variety of patients he has served via the forum.

Good luck and All the Best!

IFS

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Quote from: CodyTheDog on October 14, 2019, 05:48:06 PMThanks! Aside from required equipment (walkers, crutches, etc), what other objects did you find were helpful for being partially immobilized? Ex: I heard some people get bath towels when they want to wash but don't want to go to the shower and risk slipping.

Hey again, Cody!  I'll see if I can compile a list of things that helped me. There was so much and depending on your condition before CLL, you may require more or less.  I'll create a separate post for this soon and hopefully by late October for you and others.

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Quote from: bgreeneee on October 14, 2019, 11:23:43 PMHi IFS—how long does it take for the bone to fill in and harden after the growth stops? My distraction is smaller than yours but curious how long it took for yours?

Hi Bgreeneee!

My bones had shown a real nice fusing together as early as 4-6 weeks post lengthening and I was able to resume most if not all activity, with exception to high impact weightlifting and running.  Weeks 12+ post lengthening, I was much consolidated to a point where I could resume everything that my body was able to tolerate.  I would give it 12 weeks post lengthening before making to much of an assessment of your bone growth.

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Hello ...
Just read your diary, seems to me as an incredible journey...
I have few questions...
1) Can you do all the normal activities like a normal person, I mean, if we meet right now would I be able to notice from your walking that you had ll, or your walking is back to normal as if nothing ever happened?
2) It would really be awesome if you could post some xrays of your consolidated bone, it'll help me a lot in my research of bone formation, alignment, and walking/running capacity....