Update:
Sorry for the delayed post. I honestly don't spend that much time online anymore (which is probably a good thing). I'm filling my free time with social sports, vacations, classes, and volunteering. Suffice to say, you can count this diary as a successful outcome. I had a slight scare when after my rod removal, one of my legs was having trouble bending (I don't even remember which one now).
Physically I can say I'm pretty recovered. I can run 9mph on the treadmill (for at least 2 mins), which is the same as before. I can run a 10 minute mile with a 150 bpm heart rate (same as before). My squat isn't as high as before (but I'm not focusing hard on it). I'm more physically fit than before (more muscle, less fat, better cardiovascular profile).
Financially, my assets are already more than what they were before LL (85k vs 60k I think). I took an $80k loan for the survery and a 17.5k (only needed 7.5k) loan for the rod removal. I have 56k left to repay for the first loan and 6.5k left for the second loan. I can make extra payments every month to pay them off early but I want to spend the cashflow on 401k, travel, and recreation.
Femoral Lengthening with Dr. Paley
Quote from: Purushrottam on July 23, 2019, 05:32:36 AMHey everyone! Sorry for the long delay w.o updates. I was really busy with work and travel. I'll write a new reply answering all your questions/comments. Honestly my legs feel like nothing ever happened. They feel lighter w.o the rods. My running is pretty normal.
Stand by for an update..
Hi, I'm interested in having Dr. Paley lengthen my femur to correct a length discrepancy of 5.5 cm from a congenital problem. I have a November 14, 2019 surgical date. I'm an avid hiker and have a goal of backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail (2,600 miles Mexico to Canada) after the surgery. Do your legs really feel like nothing every happened? No pains, no flexibility problems, no issues at all? Any advice on pt? Did you do anything special or just follow Dr. Paley's recommendations? Thanks so much for your help. I loved reading about your experience.
Quote from: Daphne90210 on July 23, 2019, 06:51:21 AM
Hi, I'm interested in having Dr. Paley lengthen my femur to correct a length discrepancy of 5.5 cm from a congenital problem. I have a November 14, 2019 surgical date. I'm an avid hiker and have a goal of backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail (2,600 miles Mexico to Canada) after the surgery. Do your legs really feel like nothing every happened? No pains, no flexibility problems, no issues at all? Any advice on pt? Did you do anything special or just follow Dr. Paley's recommendations? Thanks so much for your help. I loved reading about your experience.
According to Paley, patients who are doing LL to fix a discrepancy have an easier time because the body's muscles/soft tissues are already longer (but limited by the bone growth). Your recovery will also be rather swift because you are only doing 5.5 cm. If you are doing it with a weight bearing nail like Stryde, even better.
My legs really feel like nothing happened. I went on several hikes after LL (not as intense as the PCT though). I haven't done any long hikes but I haven't had any trouble walking 10+ miles within a city 3 days in a row. I usually walk 4-6 miles daily in my commute+daily routine (I don't drive anymore).
My flexibility isn't as good as before, BUT it is pretty close. I think I'm more flexible than the average male my age. The only movement I'm not flexible in is the side kick (for kickboxing). For all other movements, I have the same ROM as before. No pains.
Advice on PT: Follow your PTs and Doctors instructions. Don't skimp on it. Being bed ridden tends to make you lazy and demotivated. Fight through your inertia to do the PT. The low level dull pain will also make it hard to concentrate on cognitive tasks. If you are working while doing LL, you will have a really hard time (although some Stryde patients have managed to do it pretty well... ask InFullStryde). The biggest thing for me was not the pain, but the boredom. Find some way to pass time. For me it was Netflix.
More importantly, listen to the doctors and physical therapists. If they say don't take drug A with B, DONT. There was a diary I read where a patient almost died because he took some drug that reacted badly with his blood thinners. You will be on a some painkillers. They don't react well with other drugs/medications and alcohol.
I'm glad you enjoyed reading my diary!
Quote from: Purushrottam on July 23, 2019, 06:37:34 AMUpdate:
Sorry for the delayed post. I honestly don't spend that much time online anymore (which is probably a good thing). I'm filling my free time with social sports, vacations, classes, and volunteering. Suffice to say, you can count this diary as a successful outcome. I had a slight scare when after my rod removal, one of my legs was having trouble bending (I don't even remember which one now).
Physically I can say I'm pretty recovered. I can run 9mph on the treadmill (for at least 2 mins), which is the same as before. I can run a 10 minute mile with a 150 bpm heart rate (same as before). My squat isn't as high as before (but I'm not focusing hard on it). I'm more physically fit than before (more muscle, less fat, better cardiovascular profile).
Financially, my assets are already more than what they were before LL (85k vs 60k I think). I took an $80k loan for the survery and a 17.5k (only needed 7.5k) loan for the rod removal. I have 56k left to repay for the first loan and 6.5k left for the second loan. I can make extra payments every month to pay them off early but I want to spend the cashflow on 401k, travel, and recreation.
Good to hear you are doing so well. It is crazy to see you now see Height as not THAT big a deal. The key key question is could you've come to this conclusion without the surgery? If yes, tell me how please and save me all this money lol!
Are you able to conclude as to whether this was worth it taking all things into consideration? My inference from your updates is yes - but I do not want to put words in your mouth!
Congrats on a successful outcome Puru! Overall with your career, traveling, hobbies, and volunteer work- it truly seems like you were able to free yourself of whatever the height neurosis was doing to you to enable you to live the life you want. Happy for you bro.
Quote from: Purushrottam on July 23, 2019, 06:10:06 AMI'm with a similar crowd. I have a colleague who is significantly shorter (male, 5'3"). Literally no one has brought it up. Ever. He's known for his professional accomplishments and passion for the work. I'm starting to think that the issues I've had with height may have been selection bias on my part. I'm seeing it more and more now that I am recovered. Lots of short (under 5'5") dudes who live completely normal, happy, fulfilling lives. It might also be that I'm getting older. I can confidently say that being short is not THAT big of a deal. I thought differently when I was 23. I'm still glad I did the operation though. Its hard to describe the feeling.
I'd love to hear more about the psychological aspect of this. Can you think back to when you were 5'5 and your height neurosis to where you are now?
The quality of your life pre and post op seem to have significantly improved: hindsight is 20/20 and perspective is everything, would you say the actual 3 inches of growth made the difference or would you say it was more the psychological aspect of getting this thing done and being content with having done everything you can to address your height neurosis and being at peace with it / moving on with life? I ask cause other member of this forum who complete LL seem to continue to have neurotic behavior, i.e. they just replaced height neurosis with another form of neurosis.
Thanks man!
Quote from: SimonFuller on July 23, 2019, 07:30:08 AMGood to hear you are doing so well. It is crazy to see you now see Height as not THAT big a deal. The key key question is could you've come to this conclusion without the surgery? If yes, tell me how please and save me all this money lol!
Are you able to conclude as to whether this was worth it taking all things into consideration? My inference from your updates is yes - but I do not want to put words in your mouth!
I probably woudln't have come to the same conclusion. Height used to occupy my mind 100%. Now I rarely think about it. I personally think it was worth it, but it could also be post facto rationalization. I just remember being angry all the time.
Quote from: TheAlchemist on July 23, 2019, 01:17:13 PMCongrats on a successful outcome Puru! Overall with your career, traveling, hobbies, and volunteer work- it truly seems like you were able to free yourself of whatever the height neurosis was doing to you to enable you to live the life you want. Happy for you bro.
I'd love to hear more about the psychological aspect of this. Can you think back to when you were 5'5 and your height neurosis to where you are now?
The quality of your life pre and post op seem to have significantly improved: hindsight is 20/20 and perspective is everything, would you say the actual 3 inches of growth made the difference or would you say it was more the psychological aspect of getting this thing done and being content with having done everything you can to address your height neurosis and being at peace with it / moving on with life? I ask cause other member of this forum who complete LL seem to continue to have neurotic behavior, i.e. they just replaced height neurosis with another form of neurosis.
Thanks man!
Thanks! Yeah I was not in a good place psychologically when I was 5'5/5'6". Its totally possible to resolve those issues w.o surgery but I didn't really feel like going in that direction.
Hi, puru,
Personally I have the same feelling as yours. Now I rarely keep thinking about my height every now and then. The issue on increasing a few cms on my height used to occupy a lot in my mind. It is really a psychological matter. It's like something in your brain being haunted as long as you don't realize it. However, you just feel normal as nothing once you really get it. This also applies to many areas in your life, such as your first 100 millions, a dream place you want to travel, your dream car, a man/woman that occupies your mind, etc.
Quote from: Purushrottam on July 25, 2019, 03:36:32 AMI probably woudln't have come to the same conclusion. Height used to occupy my mind 100%. Now I rarely think about it. I personally think it was worth it, but it could also be post facto rationalization. I just remember being angry all the time.
Thanks! Yeah I was not in a good place psychologically when I was 5'5/5'6". Its totally possible to resolve those issues w.o surgery but I didn't really feel like going in that direction.
Thanks Paru - can we hear some examples for moments where you thought, I would've been angry now had I not done this op (i.e. at a wedding) and examples when you still think about your height now.
I appreciate this is something you probably cba to talk about but it is really important for all of us to hear your POV (in detail!) thanks bro 
The prodigal son has returned. This diary is definitely a success. Your diary was one of the first I've ever read.
Puru, if you do not mind sharing this may I know how did you explain to your potential new employers (while interviewing) the 6 months gap in your career? I mean do not they assume the worst by default (that is you were laid off/fired)? thanks.
Quote from you "My life is slowly getting back to normal. I quit my job and got into heavy debt for this surgery. Now my schedule is booked with job interviews (yay). So far its looking really good. If everything goes right, I will start working in March (and hopefully making way more than what I was making before)."
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