July 2024 , Germany , limb lengthening with Dr. Schmidt and Dr. Salameh

July 31.24
Following is a diary for my limb lengthening journey in the hope that it would benefit all those seeking a similar procedure. This is my first time posting on any forum.

Arrived to frankfurt on the 9th, operation was scheduled on the 10th. Dr. Salameh met me at the airport while Dr. Schmidt sent a car to pick us up. I arrived, met Dr. Schmidt and was taken to the accomodation above his clinic. I went up to my room, organized my clothes etc...
If i dont write soon after this post, it means that after submitting this post i did not know how to come back to my post. So pls. Be patient !
I would appreciate any tips about how to return to same topic without starting a new one. Thks

July 10th
Operation went well, Dr. Kunits Anaesthesiologist, is excellent. Woke up from surgery like out of a pleasant nap.
First couple days following surgery i felt no pain, anaesthetic effect was still there. After that, i started feeling the pain that results from pins in the bones and the fractures. Pain killer did wonders. Pain tolerance is personal. My worst pain was at 7 out of 10 scale.
Tip- it is important to expect pain, so when it comes you already knew it would, and it wont hit you as an unexpected unpleasant surprise.
Dr. Salameh came to check on me everyday with his family. His wife was kind enough to change my bed sheets. Dr. Schmidt also came up everyday in the mornings mostly. He gave me his whatsapp number to communicate with him if need be.Also did Dr. Salameh. THey always responded in a timely manner, always patient with my questions and worried or complaints of
pain etc... it is only fair to mention that while Dr. Schmidt was on his 1 week vacation in greece, he was always a whatsapp text away, always responding quickly. I had pin infectiin, so he sent a nurse to clean and redress my pin sites and she brought antibiotics with her.

As days went by , pain started becoming less and less, and the need for pain killers decreased.
I started lengthening on the 19th. 4 times a day. I am at 1 cm.
Since yesterday, i barely feel the presence of fixators and pins, it is like they became a part of me.

Tip- if you come alone, it is a good idea to arrange for a caregiver for first 2-3 weeks.
I made a daily routine, wake up, have breakfast, clean myself up, no showers yet, shave, walk using crutches ,come back to bed and do few stretching exersices, listen to music or watch Netflix, lunch, nap, walk with crutched,netflix or reading, dinner, praying, music, sleeping.
Physiotherapy started week 1, very nice lady with good experience.
Finally i learned how to successfully order pizza yesterday.
 This is all for now. I hope i dont have to keep replying to myself in order to continue this diary

‐-------- Pre-Surgery Preparation -----
Pre surgery preparation is key for a successful and good journey when planing to do the CLL surgery
I am a gym goer, i do weight, stretch. I also walk, not so much daily, but every second day. I eat healthy to begin with, and take few supplements as well.
However, when i finally decided the time and place of surgery, 3 months prior to surgery date ,i started hitting the gym more frequently, walking more frequently, and stretching every day, mainly legs muscles.
The healthier you are when doing the procedure the quickest is your recovery after surgery .
So ,at least a minimum of 2 months stretching, before surgery is recommended. More is better obviously.
Last but not least, psychological preparation is very important, because no matter how much i read and researched and saw videos of patients and doctors talking about it. Still, the few days after surgery ,were me experiencing it. And believe me, experiencing it, is not like reading about it. So positive and realistic expectations help a lot.
Dr. Salameh left Germany a week ago
I am in Germany, it is raining now. Love the rain!

I am 56 yrs old
157cm
Would like to achieve 8cm or 3 inches
On July 31, i stopped lengthening, my right leg did not feel right. Took xray, Dr. Say possibly the tibia did not completely break. We consulted Dr.Salameh who suggested to resume lengthening then to take another xray to evaluate.
So today august 3rd i resumed lengthening.

August, 7: Took XRay today, it looks like the fibula has completely broke. No need for any intervention.
Bone callus looks good, btween gaps. Thank God for all that!
Another patient came today, but will go home in few days as he lives close by.

Hey Allen, I hope you are doing good for now. Keep going, wish you all the best!! Looking forward reading some good news about your process.

Are you doing pure external or LON / LATN?

8 cm on tibia in one surgery is too much, did you also do ATL to avoid ballerina foot in order to push as far as 8 cm?

Hi, and thank you for yourgood wishes, I will add to my diary when new events arise. I am going slow with my diary in order to evaluate every step properly, so the readers will get a clear and honest picture! Thanks again!

Hi   i am sorry but the reply that starts with " thank you for your good wishes " is meant for you. I pressed the wrong reply button.

Hi, I am doing pure external, the fixator is called Salamehfix, developped by Dr. Salameh.
My goal is 8 cm, because it has been achieved many times. But every person is different. If my body fails to accomodate 8cm, it's quite alright. I will be happy with the length that my body can achieve safely without having to release my achilles tendons.