Day 92 Post-op (Thurs., Oct. 22) - Consolidation Day 11
Day 93 Post-op (Fri., Oct. 23) - Consolidation Day 12
Pain Levels: My left and right were mostly like day and night, in terms of pain level, post-op especially during the distraction phase; with left creating high levels of pain, and right no pain, as if no surgery or distraction were done. This has finally changed during consolidation. I experience almost the same level of pain equally on both. It ranges from 0 of 4, on a scale of 10 on both legs, with level 4 typically occurring late afternoon to midnight.
I noticed if I have long walks, like a mile or longer, the pain increases. The pain spot does not randomly move, like old times. Instead, it's typically at the bone gap, on upper knee areas or on the exterior side of my thighs. Considering that I have experienced pain levels like level 9 before during post-op, low levels of pain should help me feel much better than before, however there is a chance I may have developed some Tramadol and Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms:
Painkiller Withdrawal: I cut down Gabapentin and Tramadol gradually in about 9 days, from two Tramadol and two Gabapentin pills during the distraction phase, to one Tramadol and one Gabapentin, then two half Tramadol and no Gabapentin, then half Tramadol and finally complete withdrawal from Tramadol.
I have had some symptoms in the last few days that could be related to withdrawal from Tramadol and Gabapentin. Online sources (e.g., https://americanaddictioncenters.org/tramadol-abuse/withdrawal and https://americanaddictioncenters.org/neurontin-abuse/gabapentin-cause-withdrawal-symptoms) list anxiety, aggression, depression, insomnia, agitation, hallucinations, etc. as some of the withdrawal symptoms. I have definitely had sleeping disorders, with nightmares.
I think I may have developed some of those symptoms, such as agitation, depression, insomnia and anxiety:
I have never regretted going for this challenge, but in the last few days, there were times, I seriously thought about what I did, and whether it was worth it. I thought about the long term process of finally claiming the job is done, but on this case, it may take years (if not forever) to finally be done with the consequences of it. I still don't regret it, but there is chance Tramadol withdrawal made me almost regret it!
Also, there have been a few episodes, when I was thinking it would feel so good if my legs were cut from hip level; I don't think pain is the reason.
In any case, online resources suggest that the symptoms would be gone in a couple weeks.
Exercises: I stretch 3 to 5 times per day. Each time would be based on the list I have already posted here, plus a few more exercises that readyprecisestryde suggested here (bridges, clamshell, prone knee bend). I also do indoor cycling (very short like one minute only each time) and taking stairs to strengthen my legs.
Femurs with Dr. Shahab Mahboubian - July 2020
Do you regret it now, after the procedure and distraction completed? How many inches did you gained?
Quote from: Jackieeechan on October 24, 2020, 08:02:51 PMDo you regret it now, after the procedure and distraction completed? How many inches did you gained?
I have not regretted it yet. I meant to say "almost", cause among the crazy things I think of, one was rethinking the surgery and all the hardship and questioning why among the challenges on my list I did not pick another challenge that I could take care of in a shorter time, like getting into skydiving and trying to master it.
I think the Tramadol and Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms are the reason for my negative thoughts. Especially having taken Tramadol for over two months, I am definitely addicted to it and I am not surprised if my body shows these symptoms now that I am trying to quit on Tramadol.
My goals were: 1) gain 8 inches, 2) go back to normal. I gained 8 inches. Items 2 would most likely take a very long time for me, if at all possible. E.g., I am not sure whether with taller legs I could ever swim as fast as before. I used to be a fast swimmer thanks for my long torso and strong upper body. I believe I can regain my upper body strength, but my tall legs may slow me down during swimming. I am looking forward to finding a safe indoor pool in my area and restart swimming to see how it goes.
8 inchesss?
Thats crazy. !!!!
Quote from: Jackieeechan on October 25, 2020, 09:32:46 AM8 inchesss? Thats crazy. !!!!
I think he means 8cm
Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on October 25, 2020, 08:47:31 AMI have not regretted it yet. I meant to say "almost", cause among the crazy things I think of, one was rethinking the surgery and all the hardship and questioning why among the challenges on my list I did not pick another challenge that I could take care of in a shorter time, like getting into skydiving and trying to master it.
I think the Tramadol and Gabapentin withdrawal symptoms are the reason for my negative thoughts. Especially having taken Tramadol for over two months, I am definitely addicted to it and I am not surprised if my body shows these symptoms now that I am trying to quit on Tramadol.
My goals were: 1) gain 8 cm, 2) go back to normal. I gained 8 cm. Items 2 would most likely take a very long time for me, if at all possible. E.g., I am not sure whether with taller legs I could ever swim as fast as before. I used to be a fast swimmer thanks for my long torso and strong upper body. I believe I can regain my upper body strength, but my tall legs may slow me down during swimming. I am looking forward to finding a safe indoor pool in my area and restart swimming to see how it goes.
Sorry for the typo. I meant 8cm.
Quote from: StrydeNailChallenge on October 18, 2020, 03:13:30 AM
The List of my Stretching Exercises. Version 1:
I do each of the following several times in each stretching session:
...
The List of my Stretching Exercises. Version 2:
I do each of the following at least 3 times per day, since consolidation phase started:
1) My number one exercise looks similar to the one that starts around second 42:
I try to grab my thighs with my hands on the sides and try to push further. As I got taller, unfortunately I have failed to reach my toes with my hands. I hope someday I can make it happen gain 
2) The one that starts around second 1:25, in the same video for exercise 1:
These days, since I cannot bend my knees that much, it looks like what the guy in the video does, but I would like to improve in bending one legs further during consolidation.
3) The one that starts around second 2:04 in the same video: , however instead of towels, I use my hands to bring the leg up. Also when up, I try to tilt the leg as an extra exercise.
4) I think this exercise is similar to squats, but I do this on the bed. while sitting with my legs straightened at start, I bend my knees and try to sit up on my toes, using my hands on the floor as support. This is very difficult for me, cause of my stiff quads.
5) Thomas stretch:
However I use my hands behind my thighs to push them further towards my chest.
6) while sitting on the bed, I make a diamond shape with legs (bent knees, toes touching). I push my chest towards my tibias, while my hands are on my toes.
7) I lie down on my back, with knees bent and legs far apart by as much as my shoulders. I then roll my legs to the right all the way to the floor and then repeat for the left side. This exercises makes me feel relaxed a bit, otherwise, it's not as important as others.
8 ) This is like a set of exercises:
8a) I do the one that starts around second 1:25 in
8b) I lie down on my side at the edge of the bed, with my back facing the side of the bed. I then take on leg slightly up and then moving back from bed and down towards the side wall of the bed. I do that for several times for each side.
8c) I like down on my back close to the edge of the bed, then move the leg that is closer to the edge down along the sidewall of the bed, while the other leg is on the bed, bent to support the move.
9) This is like a set of exercises. I would like to clarify that my list mostly focuses on the legs, but there are some moves that are generally helpful for the body to stay flexible.
9a) Cobra:
9b) Cat:
But I also add the fellow's move around second 17:
9c) I had recommended this to Movie, for knee pain. I had learnt this from a PT a few years ago, and it helped me manage the knee pain I had at the time: I start with a plank like around second 38 in this video:
I then move my body up and down for 40 to 60 times each time.
10) I sit with my legs bent towards my chest. I then use a stretch band to tie my knees together right at the upper knee parts. I then try to move the knees apart by as much as I can.
11) A set:
11a) I use a towel and do the exercise that starts around second 1.31 in the video of exercise 1:
11b) I wrap a towel around my ankle, and try to pull the towel towards myself (which makes my knee bend), while keeping the other leg straight. I do this several times for each leg.
12) I sit at the edge of a bed, chair, sofa, etc., with both legs on the ground, one bent and one straight. I then move my body forward. The more forward, the higher the pressure on hamstrings.
13) Standing next to the bed for support, I bend to touch the ground with my hands. This is my comfort zone, as it takes me a few second to warm up and easily touch the ground with both hands, or one hand, while trying to keep my knees straight using the bed sidewall as support.
14) I had lost my six-packs in the last couple years, but still had ab tones, and some horizontal lines that made it look athletic. One negative impact of this surgery was losing too much weight for me, out of which something good came out: I've got my six-packs back. The weight loss could partially be caused by the painkillers and the pain itself, but I have not read a reliable article about that. It's just what I have heard or red in blogs.
To maintain my six-packs I do a lot of quick short sit-ups. By short, I mean my sit-ups are like half way what a normal sit-up is. I barely get up from the floor, but my trick is that I do it many times (e.g., 200 times each round). While doing the fast sit-ups, I also move my face to the left and right, every ew sit-ups, to have the jawline and avoid getting double chins. I hope this helps those who would like to lose their love handles and abs' fat and create or maintain their jawline.
15) I have recently started doing this just once per day: I lie on my back and lift one leg up and down several times. I also do this while standing and using a chair or wall as support to life one leg towards back or sides. This is for butt guys like me (butt guy is an official name a BoneStretching gave us on Movie's diary for those guys like us with flat butts 
) to try to reclaim their butt muscles.
16) last but not least, walking, indoor cycling, and going uptrains and downstairs, are very helpful in stretching and strengthening leg muscles.
Thanks for readyprecisestryde, I have added the following to the list:
17) Clamshell exercises: I do the exercises that start around second 1:05, second 1:20, and 1:38 in this video:
18) Prone knee bend: like this: however since I am on my own, I do this with no help; which makes it not that great!
19) bridge: I do the first exercise in this video:
20) Side Straight Leg Raise: Like this one:
Hope this helps!
Feel free to add more to this list or make changes, if you think necessary. If so, it would be nice to know your idea here.
@readyprecisestryde, thanks once again for helping me with exercises 17 to 20.
I bought Tiger Tail The Long One 22" and been using before stretching or leg workouts. It is very helpful to warmup the muscles prior to workouts. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Nice update with all the stretching exercises. I'll be trying some of them out.
Quote from: readyprecisestryde on October 26, 2020, 02:00:50 AMI bought Tiger Tail The Long One 22" and been using before stretching or leg workouts. It is very helpful to warmup the muscles prior to workouts. Thanks for the recommendation!!
Funny story! I ended up returning the 18" and got and 22", cause I thought I could do massage both legs in each roll I am glad you went straight to get the 22".
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