Dr. Monegal - Two Stage Limb Lengthening

Edit Post

Hi all,

I'm not sure if I'm using this site right but I wanted to make a diary of my future experience with dr monegal. I have my surgery scheduled for the 19th of September arriving to Spain on the 18th.
It's great to see that I'm not alone in this world and so many have already taken the first step on the LL journey.

I have to be honest, I am scared because of the implications of this surgery and because the lack of support of my family. However, I am supremely confident I have chosen the best Dr in this discipline and his attention and care seem the best in the market.

Although my decision is made and my surgery is already on the way, I am still contemplating the possibility of doing it on one stage for which this could change from now and then. The main reason of doing it on two stages is the chance to continue working back home but this will take twice as long not to mention the risk one of the screws get loose and have to come back to Spain. On the other hand, on one stage which was my first choice i can culminate the lengthening and that's it but I will need to quit my job and I am not sure how I will cope with the stress of being on a wheelchair.

If anyone has any thoughts to help me make my mind, please write here. On return I will be very fair on my diary, letting others know the ups and downs of this surgery.

Edit Post

Quote from: biggerdreams on August 05, 2017, 06:22:36 AMgood luck and keep us posted!

what country are you from and what kind of job do you have? how will you explain the prolonged disability?

Hi,

I am from the land down under, Australia. I work as a  cost analyst and most of my job is sitting down but sometimes I need to do field job and inspections. Regarding explanation, I will have to go with a lie, maybe an accident. I know everyone is going to question why healing is taking so long and I know some people will get concerned cuz they know I am very mobile. However, my concern would be when i need get the second leg done! people in my workplace wont buy it. Maybe at that point I will quit! anyhow I have been thinking that is time to move on.

Edit Post

Quote from: Shadow91 on August 05, 2017, 06:57:33 AMGood luck mate. I reallly hope the best possible outcome for you. I will have the same issues when/ if chose this operation.

Thanks man!

I will keep u all posted.

Edit Post

Quote from: ouroboros on August 06, 2017, 12:20:25 AMGood luck man. You will do just fine.

Can you tell us what is your starting height, and your goal height? Also, are you doing femur or tibia? How old are you roughly? Thanks.

Hi Ouroboros,

what is your starting height? Funny you should ask that question, I just measured my height yesterday because I went to the doctor for a check up, and I am very disappointed to have been told that I am 1.57. I have measured my height many times before and I have been always 1.60 and sometimes 1.61. Is it possible I am shrinking like in the movie "honey, I shrunk the kids".

and your goal height? Well, I always wanted to be  1.80 but I know its not feasible. So 1.66 would be nice. However, this was before yesterday, now that I know I am 1.57 I will have to go with 1.63. All in all I am not gonna do more than 6 cm. However, because I am a real short ass I need to take into consideration my proportion so from the minute i see myself looking funny I will stop.


are you doing femur or tibia? I am doing femur although I know tibias are more aesthetic, however, femur are safer and you can do a bit more.

 How old are you roughly? I am in the range of 28-34. yeah I contemplated LL for the first time at the age of 20. When for first time I learned about it, I cried as I was reading the story of a french patient doing it with Guitchet unfortunately I never had the resources to do it but here I am, about to do it.

 

Edit Post

Quote from: Summer breeze on August 06, 2017, 07:23:31 AMHi brave man 

Congratulations that you r a step further toward your dream

Is it possible to know your present height and goal to reach?


Best wishes

Present height is 1.57 but I will check that again as I was measured at 1.60 only one year ago when I got my passport renewed.

Any reasons that why u would like to make this operation?

in a nutshell, getting more sex. I know from heart height is a big hindrance when it comes to attracting the opposite sex but to be honest it all depends on your confidence, really! Every time I got a couple of tequila shots my confidence levels skyrocket and start getting luckier with the ladies but when I am sober I can see that girls dont want short guys.

Only a few times I have noticed that maybe height has an effect on jobs and promotions. However, this not the reason I am doing it!

Edit Post

Quote from: Summer breeze on August 07, 2017, 10:22:01 PM really appreciate your honesty!

Many guys think the same but don't have the balls to speak it out .

I think the height would definitely be one of important factors to attract girls.
Of course not only the height, because a lot of tall guys don't get laid eaily as well

I got few questions for u

1) Have u made any physio plans for stretching before the surgery?
2) How Long u are planing to stay in Barcelona after operation?
3) With two stages for LL is a very wise decision, how was your sports ability in the daily life?

If you need any mental support in the future, we will be here to support u

HI Summer Breeze,

Please see down below the answer to your questions:

1) Have u made any physio plans for stretching before the surgery?
Well, I have just started to exercise basically doing cardio and sit ups for 20 min. Then I start to stretch for about 10 min. I try to repeat this routine 3 times in a day, however, due to time sometimes I do it two times only. I know some other patients, especially with Guitchet, exercise vigorously  for 3 months prior the surgery. I am having a phone conversation with Monegal on Friday so I can ask more about the consequences of not having the ideal physical shape for the surgery.

2) How Long u are planing to stay in Barcelona after operation?
I am doing one limb at a time so I have been told that I can come back home two weeks after the surgery if I so desire. However, I may do two limbs if my boss approves three months of my annual leave. If I end up doing two limbs I will stay 2.5 months but in the meantime I am just planning to stay two to three weeks (most likely three) after the surgery. I personally prefer to do 2 limbs and get over with this in once because I heard sometimes the screws get loose and a surgery is required to whack them in.

3)With two stages for LL is a very wise decision, how was your sports ability in the daily life?
I am very active. Although I have a desk and 90% of my job can be completed from my office, I spend most of time going up and down the stairs. I am a soccer player, and I like to do some water sports like snorkeling. I really hope and I pray that this surgery becomes a total success.   

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about this surgery. After the surgery I will update everyone about my progress and things to watch out for.

Edit Post

Quote from: Chinese Actor on August 08, 2017, 01:39:53 PM你好 兄弟 我来自中国 我将10月左右进行手术和你一样的医生，我英语不太好 所以麻烦你用谷歌翻译器看了，很期待你的日记！

Hi Chinese Actor,

Good on ya! I hope I meet you one day ! If not in Spain maybe in China!

Edit Post

Quote from: Summer breeze on August 09, 2017, 06:41:24 AMThanks a lot for the quick and clear reply.

It seemed that stretch would help a lot for the physical preparation before operation, basically is that you are telling your body to get prepared for the operation shock.

Would be nice if u could share  your preparation daily routine for physically n mentally

Will u tell your family and friends about your plan? 

By the way, the Chinese Actor was telling you that he would have operation on Oct, and he wish that to see u there and wish that  u two can be friends during lenthening, I think that u will improve your Chinese very soon 

Awe ! as you can see I need to brush up on my chinese !

No. I did tell them before but they all thought I was out of my mind. The first time I wanted to do LL, and I was so close to do it, was when I was 24. I remembered I saved 15,000 USD and I flew to Cuba as they said they could do it and that cuban medical services are the best. I contacted the doctors. I did the analysis, X rays, and psychological consultations. Every word that came out of the Doctors was discouraging and frightening so deep in my heart I knew I was in the wrong place. The doctors them brought me to the orthopedic area to show me patients that have had similar surgeries however none of them were doing for cosmetic purposes and their scars were so yuck. Finally, after 2 full days of examinations and consultations, this nurse came to my room (they have hotels in the hospitals) and she said Julio dont do it you are perfect as you are and some other bull  but that was it !! I went to Australia to start my masters and I left LL behind for good! After this experience my life was just ok and at times the feeling  of being taller kicked in and I got into depression. Anyways that is a NO! my family does not know which makes it kinda hard because you need support!

I will prepare a training  schedule this weekend and post it here! Just feeling lazy now! Sorry

Edit Post

Quote from: Chinese Actor on August 09, 2017, 10:00:29 AM朋友，我想我们会在西班牙见面，希望你一切顺利，我也很爱踢球，不过属于爱好，看你是足球运动员，相信你有一天重返赛场后会更凶猛。

Hey buddy I am happy we'll meet there ! Please teach me chinese and I will teach you English or Spanish!

Edit Post

Hi all, 

Just to give you an update I had my surgery yesterday and everything went very good. Surgery took two hours basically tbh I don't even know when they started, last thing I remember is that I was flirting with one of the nurses but that was because they gave me something that make feel drunk. When I woke the surgery was done.

After the surgery pain was about 2/10 but then they gave me something and pain went away. But somehow I was so cold after the surgery so they put a heater or at least that is what remember hahaha I fell asleep after that. Pain is minimum I would say 0 but I always have a funny sensation on the sole of my feet anyways at times there is a slight pain but not even one out of ten.

As a final note please do not have breakfast prior the surgery , i forgot and I did have breakfast so they had to wait until my food was digested. Well I will keep u posted of anything.

Regards .