Giotikas - surgery done

Opposite to my previous standpoint, I'll share my experience briefly so far, to write as objectively as possible.

All went fine so far, I'm doing TSF-tibia 5 cm with Giotikas in Athens. I'm at post op day 3, pain comes and goes, I was standing on my feet with walker yesterday, today was walking already a bit (very slowly, and carefully). The frame is quite heavy, didn't expect it, and I think my muscles are not really built enough just to handle it easily. Knee flexibility is quite good, toes-ankles too, however I feel, that my ankles are quite weak (had injuries when I was younger and playing soccer, mainly sprain, some partial tear), and sore, however I know I'm only post op day 3, still would like to make sure is stable, as lengthening will start in couple of days. 
Any opinion experience guys, how to strengthen ankles (the feeling is a bit burning-tiring feeling mixed with a slight spraining sensation when stretched, or dorsiflexed)?

Dont worry, first few days are the worst. You body will adapt to the frames. Make sure you do your physio and walk as much as you can handle the pain. You legs will get stronger with the frames just make sure you eat a lot. Its extremely important that your body have enough nutrition to maintain good recovery.  I was cooking everyday dinner for myself while using a walker. So make sure you push yourself.

Thanks Doomsday, I'm eating the hospital meal (which is quite delicious, and healthy), plus here protein bar, but will use protein shakes as well. I showed Giotikas all the vitamins, supplements I'm planning to take (Vit D, silica, Zinc, Vit B,C, Mg2+, K2 if won't interfere with bleeding and couple of more..), was a bit shocked , and said that I won't need them, just in case the important ones I'll take.

Great to see the first Giotikas diary !
Be strong and keep us updated man !
What is your starting height ? You mentioned you played football,do you have muscular calves ? Were you flexible before surgery ?

I'm around 170-171, I didn't play professionally for longer, but played a lot, and the ligaments were quite loose. I think if you know why you're doing you have to pay attention, this is a bumpy road, just have to be realistic (it is not us, who determines the endpoint, but our bodies). My calves are muscular, but not overly muscular, and did the stretching exercises before the surgery (however, could've done it a lot earlier, mistake!), and felt how much more flexible I became. I think I'll be prone to ballerina, so Dr Giotikas organised an anti-ballerina holder, that I'll have to wear from the very beginning.
What I could've done better is stretching, but I'll do it everyday during these days as well. Another question came up, I'll workout for my upper body, just to maintain a general lymph drainage, and maybe use a rehab machine for the thighs.

good luck my friend 

Finally a Giotikas dairy! I wish you the best mate and do your exercises dillegently.

Thanks guys!

Quote from: zakika on July 30, 2018, 06:45:05 PMThanks guys!

All the best buddy. Giotikas is a target for me (I will do 5.5 cm tibia external, 7 CM femur stryde - sometime next year) and I eagerly look forward to your journey. Can you please advise how much total will be approximate budget (including rent, food, medicine etc.) from the day of tibia surgery to the day of full consolidation of femur (in other words total approximate spend for the whole journey).

Gotikas himself is a quite serious person, his colleague (they are operating together) is a quite meticulous doctor (at least he seems to be  , so I feel he is a good option, but it doesn't mean complications will be absent. I stay in the hospital a bit longer (actually I was chicken to leave sooner, as they offered), either you can stay her (150 EUR/day) or Theseus rehab centre 146 EUR/day (1800 EUR/2weeks), so they are not cheap, but for me safety comes first, and didn't i tend to do the surgery in the US.
How much in total, hard to predict, I calculate with a slower regeneration, and callus formation as they plan (they plan to stop lengthening at the end of October for 5 cm), I calculate at least a month delay (for safety again). After than consolidation 3 months again, so earliest possible for me end of Feb will be the stryde implantation, from there to walk unassisted I think I have to calculate 4 months at least for 5 cm femur. So I will be staying in Athens until next summer June-July. If all goes better, just a bonus, but I personally don't think there won't be at least minimal complications (at least my mindset). So briefly hard to predict, but food-accommodation is quite cheap in Athens (a flat/month from 450-650 USD eg.), in numbers I plan to spend around 70k EUR for everything (TSF+Stryde+accomodation..).