DJCyborg | Dr. Birkholtz | Precice 2.2 Femurs | June 2023

Day 8 post surgery
so far I have lengthened 0.75mm today. I have 0.25mm more before bed

Strange observation today. The nurses came into my room twice today already asking if I need pain medication and I said there is no pain both times. However we agreed we will take pain medication before bed just in case today since its only been 8 days since sugury. Pain wise it has always been low even right after surgery but today is the lowest it has ever been so far.

We continue lengthening 1mm per day and because I have precice nails for femurs it should be 1mm a day all the way until I finish

day 13 post op updates
Im feeling great, ERC is so nice to use. Got my first xrays post starting lengthening today. lengthend length is at about 8.7mm so we will hit 1cm tomorrow pretty much. Bone growth is also going very well especially 13 days after the osteotomy is performed. On the lighter side its harder to see but there is bone growth throughout all areas there is a gap, I'm happy, Dr. Birkholtz is happy. Lets continue growing and consolidating bone 💪

https://imgur.com/a/l2dHAU1 Day 13 xrays

One of my femurs started out 4mm longer and has a slight rotation deformity. Both of which will also be fixed while lengthening

Day 17 post op
I feel like the 9.5 to 10 hours of sleep mark is optimal for me. Sleeping is when the body heals and recovers.

Prior to surgery 8 hours of sleep is the optimal range for me but I feel this surgery kicked up my sleep needs by 2 additional hours per night.

I have also been eating a lot more, its odd when I eat now I feel myself gravitating to proteins before carbs. not on purpose but almost like subconsciously. I just eat up all the proteins on my plate before going to carbs.

today I will officially hit 10.25mm of lengthened length so the 1cm mark (1/6 of the way there) I hit the 1cm a few days ago if you count the gap created by surgery and then the free mm done after surgery to make sure the nail is functioning properly.

keep pushing forward everyday, this journey is going a lot faster than I had imagined what it would be

I do miss the feeling of normal walking though so I know once I can walk normally and go upstairs normally like pre surgery later this year it will feel sooooo good

Day 22 post op
I will reach 1.4cm in lengthened length today. Counting the gap created during surgery plus the mm after surgery im more around 1.7-1.8cm

time is passing quite fast

everyday just focusing on my goal of 6cm, doing good PT sessions, self stretches, building the business, good nutrition, and recovery.

Day 25 post op
Next xray is on Wednesday and I will be exactly 2cm that day

1/3 of my lengthening journey will be over by that time.

Everyday we keep pushing forward

Day 28 post op
It has almost been a full month post op already. Times flies. I'm really settling into a routine now and most of my free time outside of everyday tasks and stretching I'm spending on catching up on some work for my business. Summers before q4 is always the busy season haha. If I'm not in chat as often don't be alarmed.

I will pop in for a little bit everyday 20-30 mins or so.

Bone callous formation on xrays are looking great so far, Dr. Birkholtz is happy.

I'm going to continue to focus on my goal of getting to 6cm, just about 1/3 of the way there so far.

In my recovery stage after lengthening i'll share walking gait progress etc

Everyday the main focus is just keep pushing forward and continuing to up my caloric intake especially proteins and calcium intake

Day 32 post op
As of 3 days ago I am 100% off painkillers now. The only medication I am taking is the blood thinner.

Pain during the day is a constant 1-2 out of 10 and at night when I sleep it's a bit more uncomfortable. It's hard to keep both legs straight while sleeping I'm finding myself sleeping with one leg bent and one straight and alternating throughout the night multiple times.

My lengthening rate I have reduced to 0.75mm per day after some knee tightness and right leg nerve pain while stretching and it has solved both issues. This will add an extra 13 days to my lengthening with my expected finish date for lengthening to 6.0cm now August 28th. I don't mind though an extra 2 weeks for more comfort is worth it to me.

I'm currently in South Africa on a 90 day tourist stay the one Americans can come and stay 90 days visa free with. Towards the end of August I will be extending my stay with a medical visa to give myself time to fully heal and return to a normal walking gait before leaving.

Today I will hit 2.3cm

This journey is a long one, keep pushing forward day by day

Day 36 post op update
Everything feels like it's on cruise control now. Hit 2.6cm in lengthened length today. With gap plus mm we are around 2.9cm

Since hitting 2cm I have been lengthening 0.75mm per day rather than 1mm per day.

Can't wait for the next xray on Wednesday where my lengthened length will officially be 3cm

Painwise during the day we are at a 0-1 out of 10. Sitting is when there is slight discomfort. Standing/laying no discomfort other than when I sleep and wake up in the middle of the night quads are always a bit tight and a few knee bends takes care of it and I go back to sleep

Debating if I should go on safari once I finish lengthening or not right now, seeing actual lions and zebras and stuff would be pretty cool. Bring my crutches with. Still thinking about it

Day 40 post op
Got xrays done this morning bone growth is great and there is enough bone for me to start walking with crutches.

Dr. Birkholtz did warn that from centimeters 3 to 6 things will inevitably get tighter but we keep stretching and keep the same routine. In 2 weeks when it's time for the next x ray I will be at 4.2cm of lengthened length.

Lateral view of both femurs. Seems like you guys really like to see xrays LOL

⚠️ Reminder ⚠️
- Do not share / distribute my media or X-rays without my consent
https://imgur.com/a/K2SAU9D

Day 43 post op, I have 4 1/2 weeks of lengthening remaining. Unlimited sirloin steaks, going to do 4-5 of these for the protein 🦾
https://imgur.com/a/LAIhWAR