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)?
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.
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.
Thanks guys!
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..).
Don't know about that, you should ask your embassy for EU/Greece.
Thanks Bonez!
Tonight sleeping was really good (in contrary with yesterday, when I didn't ask for painkillers, and the pain kicked in around 2:00 AM, so I was just lying in bed, was really stupid). Today in the morning it was really uncomfortable to move, my legs, ankles feel really stiff, and painful when moving (the same with pin insertion sites proximally (below knee on tib-fib), I feel like I would need more passive motion PT, and active afterwards.
An update: one of the guys I met in June (Giotikas Precise patient) who lengthened 5 cm is done with lengthening, and will travel back to the States I suppose early Aug. The other guy (7 cm) is still lengthening I guess (they started approx. the same time).
Next year I think we'll meet, I will hopefully be finished with tibia 5cm, and will start Stryde as soon as possible (regarding how exhausted I'll be).
It is not confirmed yet, when Stryde will precisely available, but we were already talking about the 2nd surgery, and he seems quite sure, with the frame removal he will be able to insert Stryde the same time. He calculates it this year, but I have a feeling that my recovery will be slower, or at least I'll be as careful as possible, ad won't run with it, time is imprtant for me, but when it's about health it is secondary.
I'm by myself, so it is harder alone, but wasn't sure how others would handle this - by itself hard - situation, and on the bad days it would create more pressure. Yes, but as I see on others the pain will be always there, only sometimes better, sometimes worse. So I think I won't be over the pain, it is not the right approach, just have to condition myself to bear it, it is quite logical, without pain (of course the intensity is subjective) you can't lengthen your tissues. Hence someone undergoing this journey rather has to strengthen him/herself mentally.
Thank you myloginacc. I just came back from walking with a walker, was surprised, it went significantly better, than yesterday despite the fact that I feel quite exhausted. Tiny steps...
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