HelloThere's Precice 2.0 Femurs with Dr. Rozbruch (operation date 3/20/14)

Edit Post

It's been 10 days since the last update. How you doing OP?

Also, 24 and able to afford a $110k+ surgery. Would you happen to be an IM'er? 

Edit Post

Quote from: Snivy on April 23, 2014, 06:51:27 PMIt's been 10 days since the last update. How you doing OP?

Also, 24 and able to afford a $110k+ surgery. Would you happen to be an IM'er? 

Hi Snivy,

Thanks for checking in, I'm doing a lot better now. Still sore from biking and lengthening. I visited Dr. Rozbruch the other day and the great news is that I can now move forward at 4x .33mm per day, instead of just 3x .33mm per day. The reason for this is because my bones are consolidating quickly and he's afraid there may be problems if I don't increase the amount of distraction.

I credit my progress to the weight lifting from before (increased blood circulation in my legs?), as well as the exercise/stretching routine I'm doing right now (stationary bike and about 10-15 different leg/hip stretches), and my diet... which currently consists of steamed chicken with soy sauce and occasional "cheat meals" that are still high in protein. I'm also taking a plethora of vitamins: multi-vitamin, digestive supplement, calcium, vitamin D, GSM, and vitamin C.

^Hopefully this helps somebody!

I'd prefer to keep what I do private, but it is not this "IM" you speak of, sorry!

Edit Post

Brain dump:

My muscles are getting tighter and I'm starting to feel pain again in my legs ever since increasing to 1.32mm/day. I'm starting to take one narco every 4 hours as of last night. It helps me sleep and does a great job at killing the pain. I don't feel woozy or uncomfortable from taking them anymore, probably because I'm only taking one vs. the two I took before, so I'll continue to take one right before my lengthening sessions and before sleeping. I find that when I'm being wheeled around during the day I'm in a lot less pain, so being "active" helps with the pain a lot.

My pain is mainly around the knees; they feel rusty. From time to time I'll have a bit of pain in the front part of my calves and my thigh area just feels tight all the time, but it's manageable with Tylenol or the narcos, so it's really not a big issue. When I'm on painkillers, I find that it's a great time to stretch, since you can somewhat push yourself a bit and get a better stretch than you normally would.

I'm currently around the 35mm mark now, so over half way towards my goal! I'm excited to see how 2 1/2 inches will be affecting my life. I feel a little taller already with the inch and a half I've gained, so I can imagine another inch would be amazing.

In the beginning, I thought my femurs were getting way too long for my tibias, but that was due to them looking skinny as twigs from the muscle loss. As I've been exercising, my leg muscles have started coming back and now my legs look perfectly fine (or at least a lot less freakish), according to my opinion and my brother's. I don't think another inch would really affect proportions, as my femurs have always been somewhat shorter anyway.

I would like to stress that getting a big comfortable bed would be a very wise decision. This way you will be able to make the most out of your sleep, as well as have adequate room for stretching when you wake up or when you're laying in bed, which, for me, has been a good amount of hours per day.

Right now, everything is going as planned, the last month has been a blur and I'm ready to just push through the lengthening process, so that I can start the recovery phase. My only regret is not getting a more comfortable wheelchair, as I'm starting to have strange pain in my right hip area. I think this is due to sitting in the chair so much and not having any sort of glutes to support my lower body. Other than that, if I had to start over again right now, I wouldn't change a thing.

Edit Post

Halfway there!! 

Can you post some pics?

Thanks

Edit Post

Quote from: Blackhawk on April 26, 2014, 03:08:57 PMHalfway there!! 

Can you post some pics?

Thanks

Hey Blackhawk,

Are there any specific pics you would like to see? I'll see if I can get some help taking some today.

Edit Post

I think some pics showing the scars and your proportions would be great.  Maybe a front view pic from about 10 ft away without loose fitting clothes so we can see your proportions.

Edit Post

Will do - I'm actually 3 weeks away from finishing my lengthening, so I'll take pics then.

Edit Post

"Numbness"

Ever since increasing the lengthening to 1.32mm per day, I've started to experience numbness in my right knee. I would say I've lost about 80-90% of feeling in the front of that area, but I have full range of motion and there is no weakness in my leg... if anything, my legs both feel better than ever. I believe it's due to the increase in lengthening, but it could also be due to the fact that I've been sleeping a lot more and mainly on my right side.

The reason for my increase in sleep is because I've started taking the hydrocodone/acetaminophen again, not because of pain, but because I ran out of Tylenol. My brother has just come back from a trip, so he'll be going with me today to pick up some more.

Here is a picture of the nerve: http://bluestarr.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/common-peroneal-nerve-injury.jpg and the same exact area where I feel numbness.

I've spoken to Dr. Rozbruch and he suggested that I lower the amount of lengthening back down to 1mm per day, which I'll be doing, as well as sleeping a lot less and paying attention to my sleeping position. I'd be lying if this didn't worry me a bit, but I'll keep you all updated as to how I do. If everything goes as planned, the numbness should be going away by end of week.

Edit Post

Hey hello there! I am a long time lurker on this forum, I just wanted to check up on you HT, you seem like a bright young man, and honestly very courageous to be going through the entire process. I think by this time oyu should be done lengthening? How are you feeling? When will you be able to walk?
I hope for you the best of luck and pray for your recovery. I am considering the surgery as I think it'll make a big difference for me, however would love to hear what you would say having gone through the process.
You also document things in a very organized fashion, you can tell you are someone of higher education, may I ask your profession? I hear that people after LL presume to change their goals, please don't ever stop what you are doing and go for what you believe in!

Edit Post

Hey man! So happy for you that you are more than half way! Hopefully that numbness goes away. I am surprised you were lengthening over 1mm each day. I thought 1mm was the max. I have a question if you dont mind answering. How was your confidence level before the surgery and now? I know you have only gained an inch and a half so far. I am also 5'4 and I want to do LL soon but I am nervous that even after I increase my height a couple inches that my confidence level will still be bad and my height dysphoria because I will still only be around 5'7. Thank you and good luck with the rest of your journey.