Posted on May 27, 2025, 7:46 pm
#1
- hi all.
long time lurker here, think about 2 years on and off. back then found out about this surgery but gave myself some time to really consider it. I wanted to make sure I was going to plan to do the surgery because I 'wanted' it, not needed it.
I've had some form of height neurosis since around 18. Classmates had hit their last growth spurts, I didn’t. i always imagined myself being tall, realizing it wasn't happening triggered it. Tried growth supplements and calcium supplements but I was done growing. Between 14-16 i lived extremely unhealthy, I had a heavy vitamin d deficiency, bad sleep (frequent all nighters), no sunlight, trash foods. Part of me feels i stunted my own growth. my sisters are about my height and my little sister even slightly taller, my dad is taller, uncles taller, it all added to the suspicions. It's always made me feel I did not fully live up to my height potential.
I'm almost 26 now, 172-173cm. It's not a bad height frankly. I wear platforms sometimes to hit 176–178cm. Ever since i was 20 i’ve worked hard on myself physically, mentally, socially. full on self-improvement phase. as result I’ve never had issues with dating or sports. confidence and physique go a long way.
still, a fixation lingers. i catch myself checking celeb heights, even video game characters. Also researched shoes that would add the most height. looked up gta 6’s protagonist height today and realized this might not go away unless i go deeper into the root… or throw money at it. that thought hit hard. I’ve grown a lot, built self-love and peace, but the ego still speaks and i respect that part of me too. its the same part that made me go to the gym in the beginning. I could live happily without doing this surgery, but I feel like this is something I really want.
So I've researched limb lengthening for 2 years. Know most of the methods and how they work and read a lot of the literature. If I were to go through it would be with Betz, reason early mobilisation, close distance (6 hr drive), and European healthcare standards. The goal would be 8cm, not more. I stacked books to 8cm and stood on top of it, the thought of being that height (180cm) was very exciting to me. It's like the possibility of a live long dream was possible. It made me realize I really wanted this. The reason why is a combination of ego, better proportions, and some kind of closure to my missed potential when i was younger and had no direction.
- Keep stretching hipflexors and hamstrings in preparation for the surgery
- Save up for the surgery
- BetzBone (14 day hospital/clinic stay)
- Go with the car/train back to the Netherlands. continue clicking
- Stick religiously to recommended stretching routine, still able to go to the gym (5 min walk), visit my family which is a huge plus. basically try to live life as normal as possible (I might be underestimating this, might not. would love to hear opinions)
It would also drastically improve my proportions. When i first measured my f:t i couldn't believe it because my tibia is almost the same length as my femur (46cm femur, 43cm tibia, 1:07r) if i were to lengthen only my femurs by 8cm the ratio would shift to about 1.26. In that sense i’m actually a perfect candidate for femur lengthening. I checked pictures of me in shorts to realize my legs really do look a bit weird because my femur is too short.
I have the ambitious goal to recover 99% of my athleticism after the surgery. I am currently very explosive, athletic and fit. I've been working out 5 times a week for 4 years and love it. Before the surgery I'm going to measure my best sprint times, it's going to be a goal to recover to that sprint time. I'm surprised no other patients have done it, there seems to not be a consensus on if a full athleticism/explosiveness recovery is possible. I wanna be able to do martial arts and sprint after the surgery. From all the research I've done it seems to that it's possible granted the femur/tibia ratio allows it, not overlengthening (I feel 8cm is already bordering it), stretching religiously before and after recovery, and ofcourse staying fit and not eating trash foods.
Only thing that's stopping me right now is cost, but I am fully commited to work towards this goal. I've thought that if I had that money why not buy a car or even a small condo in thailand. . but i believe fuLL Forumilling that dream of reaching that height would postively influence me the rest of my life, maybe even to the point open myself up to more opportunities that could make my money back
Would love to hear from other LL patients, especially betzbone patients. also tips on saving up + thoughts on full recovery are welcome. throughout the years i've read a lot of diaries/discussions. hope to contribute to it too within the near future[/list]