Hello, is this a real option for me? My situation, your opinions.

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Quote from: Android on April 18, 2018, 12:32:24 AMI apologize that I sounded hostile, that wasn't the intent, and I hope I was at least helpful. I concluded that you were underinformed, hence the tone.

Your lengthening goal is modest and it won't break the bank with externals. The antibiotics you'll take aren't excessive, especially if you keep the pin sites clean.

Cost is the major roadblock for you, so if I was in your shoes, I'd be relieved to find such a solution. Broaden your options and you might feel better.

True, a family member is in the medical field and has described the external fixators to me. They sound and look like a whole different level then the internal ones. Although I am glad that there is a possible future where I could get this and be my ideal self. I'm makes me feel more in controle and less helpless. So that's good.

Is the internal ones really much safer? I've heard American doctors speak down a lot about overseas doctors, especially ones that use the external kind.

Intruely donalreciate everyone's responses! For now I guess I'll try to wear some insoles, keep my workouts, going, maybe get my skin a little better, and try to improve/maintain anything else I can at this point.

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Quote from: Wheeljackg1 on April 19, 2018, 03:13:54 PMIs the internal ones really much safer? I've heard American doctors speak down a lot about overseas doctors, especially ones that use the external kind.

Internals are objectively better, especially newer nails like Precice. But that doesn't mean they're barbaric or even outdated; they're still being used today for more complex deformities that a telescoping rod can't fix.

It hasn't even been a decade since Precice hit the market, so methods like LATN and LON are relatively contemporary compared to classic Ilizarov. For instance, here's Dr. Mahboubian treating a patient with an external fixator in 2011. Here's a slide deck by Dr. Rozbruch in 2012, discussing the advantages of LATN and LON over classic Ilizarov.

FYI, LON was introduced by Dr. Paley in 1997. LATN was introduced by Dr. Rozbruch in 2007. Advanced hexapod frames like the Taylor Spatial Frame (used by Dr. Mahboubian in video linked above) and Ortho-SUV (created in conjunction with Dr. Solomin) improved on the Ilizarov apparatus with more degrees of control as well.

Of course, the advantages of external fixators don't mean as much for CLL patients, since what we need is relatively simple: lengthening in one direction. For that reason, doctors will recommend internals over externals if it's for cosmetic reasons. The experience is better through simplified lengthening process (push of a button on external controller), psychologically less taxing to not have frames, less socially isolating if patient is embarrassed about frames, less scarring, less infections, etc. Cosmetics patients are pickier and less forgiving, as they're seeking enhancement, not simply function -- so doctors prefer internals.

But externals still exist for CLL patients, and since it's less expensive, more doctors abroad still offer it. It's a strong association for sure. Some doctors are indeed worse than others, and this forum helps to find the right one for all budgets. As for Dr. Paley, he's all in on the Precice, since he helped to develop it; would be counter intuitive to trumpet another method when he can improve his own through consultation with the manufacturer.

Glad you're feeling a bit better!

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the risk w/ internals is fat embolism syndrome due to reaming of the bone canal. Dr. paley has seen 4 of these doing bilateral internal femurs cosmetic lengthening. fat embolism syndrome can be fatal.

tibias have less risk of fat embolism syndrome. externals have less risk of fat embolism syndrome due to no reaming of the bone canal.

if you want most safety when it comes to mortality, i would suggest unilateral internal femurs spread one month apart or external tibias.

i cannot suggest internal tibias due to a high risk of permanent knee pain due to the rod being inserted through the knee


there are a lot of studies on potential risks and risk factors during internals vs externals. I suggest you read up on them.

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Thanks guys!

Quote from: MirinHeight on April 19, 2018, 07:27:20 PMthe risk w/ internals is fat embolism syndrome due to reaming of the bone canal. Dr. paley has seen 4 of these doing bilateral internal femurs cosmetic lengthening. fat embolism syndrome can be fatal.

tibias have less risk of fat embolism syndrome. externals have less risk of fat embolism syndrome due to no reaming of the bone canal.

if you want most safety when it comes to mortality, i would suggest unilateral internal femurs spread one month apart or external tibias.

i cannot suggest internal tibias due to a high risk of permanent knee pain due to the rod being inserted through the knee


there are a lot of studies on potential risks and risk factors during internals vs externals. I suggest you read up on them.

Yea, I've read a bit about it. i would definitely want to have my tibias longer. And yea, I've read about guys wanting to get external because they were scared at how destructive and scary inserting the internal was. So internals are safer? Even though they can cause knee issues? That makes it seem like externals would be better except for risk of infection. I gues very risky stuff either way. 

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Quote from: Wheeljackg1 on April 18, 2018, 12:10:22 AMWhy are you being so hostile towards me? What did I do to you? I've been seeing a therapist to try accept myself, but I just can't manage to do it.

Don't assume things about me. I'll find the time and if I have to deal with some temporary pain to resolve a permanent problem I understand that. I am hoping doing just 5.5cm will reduce long term pain, but what are the actual ods I will be facing long term pain at 5.5cm?

The shorter the time on antibiotics the better. I was on them long term in my early 20s and it gave me tendonitis in my wrists and a nasty candida overgrowth.

Are you gonna go from wanting to die to perfectly happy with a 5.5cm increase after tens of thousands of dollars spent and a year of recovery time?

That's what you have to ask yourself sir.

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Quote from: Bruce Wayne on April 30, 2018, 07:00:54 PM

Wow, thanks for the response man. I think you are right. I think it's partially my proportions I knock myself for, and not just my actual height. I hope I can come to terms with it or find a way to be happy in my skin one day. Keep being awesome!

Quote from: Johnson1111 on May 01, 2018, 01:37:11 AMAre you gonna go from wanting to die to perfectly happy with a 5.5cm increase after tens of thousands of dollars spent and a year of recovery time?

That's what you have to ask yourself sir.

I have scalp and hair issues as well. I think if I had the height and the hair I would actually be happy. But I did have a lot of bad stuff happen in my life at once, so I guess it's not just about height. I guess I just never felt great in my skin, and I see how satisfied I would be with longer legs and a bit of extra height and just want that feeling.

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Quote from: Wheeljackg1 on May 01, 2018, 03:07:46 PMI have scalp and hair issues as well. I think if I had the height and the hair I would actually be happy. But I did have a lot of bad stuff happen in my life at once, so I guess it's not just about height. I guess I just never felt great in my skin, and I see how satisfied I would be with longer legs and a bit of extra height and just want that feeling.

Same here. Hair transplants are much easier, but do keep in mind that you won't see full results for 9 months to a year. You can find reputable doctors here. I suggest using a hair concealer like Toppik or DermMatch if it's not too bad right now.