Posted on Jun 18, 2026, 8:28 pm
#1
This is more or less a copy paste from my post on reddit. I want to spread the message across multiple platforms.
I am writing this to raise awareness and to warn others who may be considering limb lengthening surgery. This is not written out of anger, but out of responsibility, as my life has been permanently affected by medical decisions made without my consent by Dr Le Van Doan
In April of this year, I underwent tibial limb lengthening with Dr Doan. The external frames were removed in July after a total lengthening of 6 cm. From a bone-healing perspective, the procedure went well. However, throughout the entire lengthening process, the doctor never checked on me even once. There were no in-person evaluations, no meaningful follow-ups, and no physical assessments of my condition by the doctor himself.
Before frame removal, a standard health checkup was scheduled, yet the doctor was not present. I assumed that I would at least be examined shortly before surgery, especially given the importance of evaluating muscle and tendon tightness after lengthening. Unfortunately, that never happened.
At the time, my Achilles tendons were tight, which is normal after tibial lengthening. However, after standing for about five minutes, my heels were able to touch the ground. This indicated that the tightness was manageable and improving. The problem was that the doctor never assessed this, because he never examined me. I thought, oh well anyway, let's get these frames removed because thats what im here and scheduled for.
When I woke up from the frame removal surgery, I was informed that my Achilles tendons had been cut because they were “too tight.” I was never asked for permission, never informed beforehand, and never given an opportunity to discuss alternatives. This decision was made without my consent and without a proper physical evaluation.
It is important to understand that Achilles tendons do not fully regenerate to their original strength once cut. Seven months later, my bones have healed well, but my tendons are now excessively long. I have almost no push-off strength when walking, despite extensive rehabilitation and consistent training. I also suffer from constant Achilles pain and nerve pain in my left foot, for which I am currently taking 3000 mg of gabapentin daily. There is a strong possibility that a nearby nerve was damaged during the procedure.
As a result, I now need an Achilles reconstruction surgery to shorten the tendons in order to regain basic walking strength. Due to scarring and tissue damage, it is likely that I will experience reduced strength for the rest of my life. Due to a procedure I never asked for.
I am sharing this experience to urge others to be extremely careful when choosing a surgeon. Make sure your doctor communicates with you, examines you personally, and never performs irreversible procedures without your explicit consent. A lack of follow-up, poor communication, and unilateral decision-making can permanently alter a person’s life.
Please choose a surgeon who takes patient care seriously and not this moron of a doctor. I would not wish this experience on anyone. Also don't be like me and go to a hole country like Vietnam to do this.
I am writing this to raise awareness and to warn others who may be considering limb lengthening surgery. This is not written out of anger, but out of responsibility, as my life has been permanently affected by medical decisions made without my consent by Dr Le Van Doan
In April of this year, I underwent tibial limb lengthening with Dr Doan. The external frames were removed in July after a total lengthening of 6 cm. From a bone-healing perspective, the procedure went well. However, throughout the entire lengthening process, the doctor never checked on me even once. There were no in-person evaluations, no meaningful follow-ups, and no physical assessments of my condition by the doctor himself.
Before frame removal, a standard health checkup was scheduled, yet the doctor was not present. I assumed that I would at least be examined shortly before surgery, especially given the importance of evaluating muscle and tendon tightness after lengthening. Unfortunately, that never happened.
At the time, my Achilles tendons were tight, which is normal after tibial lengthening. However, after standing for about five minutes, my heels were able to touch the ground. This indicated that the tightness was manageable and improving. The problem was that the doctor never assessed this, because he never examined me. I thought, oh well anyway, let's get these frames removed because thats what im here and scheduled for.
When I woke up from the frame removal surgery, I was informed that my Achilles tendons had been cut because they were “too tight.” I was never asked for permission, never informed beforehand, and never given an opportunity to discuss alternatives. This decision was made without my consent and without a proper physical evaluation.
It is important to understand that Achilles tendons do not fully regenerate to their original strength once cut. Seven months later, my bones have healed well, but my tendons are now excessively long. I have almost no push-off strength when walking, despite extensive rehabilitation and consistent training. I also suffer from constant Achilles pain and nerve pain in my left foot, for which I am currently taking 3000 mg of gabapentin daily. There is a strong possibility that a nearby nerve was damaged during the procedure.
As a result, I now need an Achilles reconstruction surgery to shorten the tendons in order to regain basic walking strength. Due to scarring and tissue damage, it is likely that I will experience reduced strength for the rest of my life. Due to a procedure I never asked for.
I am sharing this experience to urge others to be extremely careful when choosing a surgeon. Make sure your doctor communicates with you, examines you personally, and never performs irreversible procedures without your explicit consent. A lack of follow-up, poor communication, and unilateral decision-making can permanently alter a person’s life.
Please choose a surgeon who takes patient care seriously and not this moron of a doctor. I would not wish this experience on anyone. Also don't be like me and go to a hole country like Vietnam to do this.