Hi guys, it took me quite a while but I was simply too exhausted the last couple of days.
let me give you a quick update on what happened:
Surgery was on Tuesday: everything went well according to the doc. couple of additional nails needed but else just fine.
Felt really good waking up afterwards knowing that there is no way back and that I finally did it! my leg was really swollen but that was expected....Didn't have too much pain the first day but obviously due to the intense medication
The nights were kind of horrible, but I was glad that the medication always helped. still not more than 2-3 hours sleep in total at night and I was waking up every thirty minutes or so...
It felt good to know that everything was ok but the level of pain plus exhaustion were still kind of hard to bear. I looked at my leg thinking about when its going to explode...
Wednesday was the first day I be carried to the bathroom in a wheelchair, after Thursday I was able to do that on my own with crutches. felt like an 8 hour hiking tour every time.
I think the problem was that I had no appetite at all and the food was not really good too. So I ate very little every day which obviously didn't help...
Apart from that I would recommend that you are physically fit before doing the surgery. I am not fit because I had done almost not sports for months because of my problems with my ankles...not good...
Medication was reduced every day until Sunday...that was ok during the day, but the nights were really bad. Needed some extra meds to sleep at least couple of hours...best time was between 6am and 1pm, almost no pain and motivation very high...decreased over the day though 
Pain in general was lower a little bit every day and was quite easily berable after Friday or so.
Tried to move or bend my knee but could hardly do an inch. I think its different for everybody. Some told me they could significantly bend their knee after a week and fully after two...I am far away from that and can hardly bend it all at the moment.
Back at home since Monday, nights are getting better slowly. Taking 3-4 pain killers a day. Couldn't do it without at the moment...
Its 38degrees outside so exhausting for everybody especially for me walking on crutches.
Watching Netflix all day long and getting kind of bored. Unfortunately I am too tired to do something reasonable but that might improve I hope.
Very good news for me was the reaction from my parents and couple of close friends. They didn't know anything but reacted very cool even if they are concerned of course. My father is visiting me tomorrow and friends will drop by in a week or so...that is really a great relief because that was one of my big concerns before.
I stand completely to what I am doing now and I think that form of honesty just convinces everyone. It certainly makes my life easier...
Last word on Prof Baumgart, as discussed before he is a very very good surgeon but also very helpful. I had issues with my device and he wrote me back an email on Sunday right away. that gives you a good level of comfort. everything works fine now.
next monday I have my first consultation. Will do my first xray, very curious...
Lengthening is about .6 or .8 a day now, maybe it will already show on the xray next week...
will keep you updated.
last thought of the day: someone wrote in a similar forum couple of years ago that for him the whole process was 30 percent physical and 70 percent mentally. I am not done by far but I can already strongly agree to that statement....
so trying to stay positive even without sleep;)
good night
Internal Femurs with Dr Baumgart / Fitbone
Rough day today. Last Night was awful, lengthening during the day is ok but at Night the pain increases significantly.
couple of low moments already thinking, what have I done to myself...try to Hang in though
Biggest concerns are the swelling which seems to just stay the same.
And the uncertainty how the next couple of weeks will work out.
I definitely cant survive a day without medication. I so much hope they let me use it as long as needed...
the two stage procedure is probably easier but having to go through the same again is frightening
I have no idea about tomorrow but I keep dreaming that everything will ne easier when I wake up next time
Hang in there buddy!
Remember the pain will pass... but the height will be forever...
Stay strong, we are all cheering for you!
Thanks guys! feels really good to have your moral support!
Took one of the stronger pills yesterday night and slept for almost 5 hours! felt surreal. that was the best feeling for a long time...try to reduce the daytime medication to almost zero now and only take one before going to sleep.
Having slept a couple of hours makes such a big difference, motivation wise and physically...
Had a lymphatic drainage today at home which was also nice. Apart from that its really boring. I think thats one of the advantages of Dr. Betz and others... you are constantly surrounded by people sharing the same experience. I don't really have anyone to talk about LL who can give you some advice etc.
still hanging in...
Glenn, your plans still unchanged for August?
Hi Aturro,
Great to hear you are feeling better! Hang in there, I'm sure things will get easier and easier as you progress.
Yes, my plans are the same. I will arrive Barcelona on August 18 and have my surgery on August 25. I am excited and anxious at the same time :-)
Glenn, its good to hear that your are well on Track!
Nothing new from my side, swelling is getting better. Level of pain is ok but not improving. So I am still taking medication. Only thing worrying me is the stiffness and that I cant bend my knee, only very little. Muscles outside my knee are so thight...hope that is normal.
Will See the doctor tomorrow...
I dont know why but I cant concentrate for longer than a few minutes. Cant read just watch most stupid TV shows. In two months I will be brain dead...but hopefully taller...
I'm glad everything is progressing as well as expected for you to so far. Thank you for posting this diary! As someone interested in a two-stage fitbone procedure, it'll be very helpful.
Quote from: Aturro on May 09, 2015, 11:24:00 PMhopefully the least physically demanding postsurgical effects. (Fitbone is not inserted via hip area etc.)
Could you expand on this? Did Dr. Baumgart say why it's better to not go in through the hip? It seems like it would be riskier going in from the knee joint. And would you be willing to post a picture of just your knee to show what the surgical insertion point looks like? Thanks.
Hi, quick update and answering some questions...
started my PT this week, but not doing much so far. just some easy exercises and some massage to release some muscle tensions which are quite annoying...
Trying to walk as normal as I can on crutches, i.e. bend my knee and improve flexibility. Far away from normal as of now. My knee is still swollen which makes walking etc quite difficult. But I think its getting better slowly.
On Wednesday I took the train to visit my parents for a couple of days. Train was ok for 4 hours being able to stretch out my leg but had to walk almost 300m once I got off. Took me 25minutes to get to the car, and together with the 50 minutes walking back and forth from my PT the same morning I was completely destroyed in the evening.
Had to sleep and rest for two days and only starting to feel better now. I think exercising is good but there are limits...
Lengthening is ok so far, starting to feel some pain after each lengthening but not too bad.
Still taking one pain killer before going to bed. Nothing during the day though
I thought I could start doing some minor work etc but that seems impossible. Getting up 3-4 times every night, walking around for couple of minutes to lower the pain and stiffness is somewhat ok, but I need to catch up that sleep during the next day. Working etc seems far from possible now, lets see...
Spoke to 2-3 friends and told them about my LL. I am gladly surprised that they all stand behind me on this. I guess they don't really like it but everybody tells me its ok if thats what I want to do. Good feeling to be able to talk about it and have their support. Guess times are much better for everyone doing surgeries etc as people and society are more tolerante towards these things.
I keep reading some other postings here and I am really impressed by people doing two legs at the same time. Obviously its good to save so much time but it must be really hard. One leg is tough already...
To JConnor:
I need to ask the Prof, I can only tell you that when I told him about other methods (like hip insertion) he replied that I get a very precise and state-of-the-art surgery technique for all the money I pay.
Personally I can think of two main factors: one is invasiveness, the other accuracy. In terms of accuracy he told me that lengthening is not just simply extending the bone as it has it specific shape. Therefore lengthening and the installation of the device must be very accurate using laser technique etc.
As I always felt being in very capable hands I didnt ask for all the details which I would probably not understand anyways. But if someone has a specific question I am happy to ask...
Posting a picture is fine with me, need to find out how to do it. Notice that my knee is still swollen so might look different soon.
In general the scars look ok, I am not worried about that at all
I have one or two more as I got 5 nails instead of 3 to make it more stable.
Going back to Munich on monday probably by car if my friend has time to drive me there. Xray in the afternoon which is the most crucial thing for me. I really want to here and see that everything is well on track...
LL really tests your mind, sometimes you feel good and highly motivated and then you are in pain, questioning yourself and feeling terrible.
but everybody knew its won't be an easy ride.
so far so good...
Hi Aturro-
You are doing great. LL is difficult journey and really test your guts, patience and temperament. I was one of the highly motivated guy when I had femur done last year. I too some time (may be one or two occasions) was at low point. But I never regretted it. It was blessing to exit from unacceptable to acceptable height. My gosh we have a solution to height neurosis!!!
You will be 180. I will need two more LL to get there 
. Not possible in this life time but no regret either. I am happy for you and you will enjoy your new height when all of this is behind.
Please keep us posted.
God Bless!
Hi Cooper! Thanks for your supportive words. I read your diary, its great! And good to hear that you are in almost no pain.
I admire the fact that you are doing this for a second time. You must be really strong mentally. Well done.
Its a bit similar to my situation as I will have my second leg only done in 6 months or so...
I hate the First two weeks After surgery but its good that boredom is my main concern at the moment.
One issue I am having is that my foot always rotates to the outside when I walk. pt told me its normal and caused by the IT band. But I hope it doesnt get worse or influence my walking later on...try to bend my knee while standing and work against the Automatic rotation of my foot, feels strange.
Anybody has an idea on that?
I read about IT Band release. What does that mean and why could that be neccessary?
I am impressed some people are really flexible After 2-3 weeks. I can stretch out completely but bending is at 30 degree at best not improving...swelling can stay for months my PT told me..
I dont really bother but I am curious as it is very different to other experiences...
Having the next xray tomorrow, everything Should be Fine I hope...target 2.1 CM...
good Night to everyone and lets focus on our goal!
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