Quote from: Keynes on February 17, 2021, 12:39:48 PMSo, I did it…
I am putting this diary out of boredom and more than that as a payback to this forum, which I have lurked for almost a year and a half before arriving the decision to finally do the dare. I hope my journey will help the prospective in their decision to do this life altering surgery, just like experiences of the vetran LLr's have helped in mine. As much as I want to continue anonymous without posting any graphics, I very much understand that putting only text will be of no help given the nature of this surgery and will only attract the critics. So, I’ll try my best to be as detailed as possible while maintaining my anonymity.
Original height: 165-166cm
Goal: 5 to 5.5 cm
Method: LON Tibia
Date of Surgery: 9 February 2021
Day of the Surgery (Day 0):
Woke up 5 am super positive and excited, prayed the god for my wellbeing, had a chat with a few loved ones. The surgery was schedule at 1 pm, started my journey, had my close relatives drive me to the hospital. At almost half-way, I could feel all that positivity and excitement wearing off and turning into a skepticism. Arrived the hospital, was accompanied by Dr. Harry (physiotherapist). Hospital was upscale and matched pretty much to the standards of the west. Filled in all the formalities, staff took my vitals, measured my height (came out 165-166cm), showed me my private room, I changed my clothes and prepared for the operation. That moment I was so scared, a thought to back out did cross my mind. Finally, was laid on the bed and given several injectables, though the one that pained me the most was the Anti-bacterial (this is the one that is injected on the skin)
Outside the OT: Scared to , confusion was paramount, was seriously wondering if I really need to go through this
Inside the OT: Literally had a panic attack, intense dilemma on the inside – a part of the mind was screaming to turn back and go home, while the other part was thinking of all the struggle and research I had done to be here. On the outside was sitting still and anxiously staring at all the doctors and nurses in the OT. Just before the operation, asked the doctor if I could use the toilet break – he calmly said no worries will take care of it.
Next thing I had the epidural (this one was painful), this made my lower limbs numb, I asked the doc to put me to sleep. I was waking up on and off during the procedure but couldn’t really feel anything. Operation took around 7 Hrs.
Post Op, in the room – Dr Pradip and Harry paid visit twice everyday
Day 1-2: was under the effect of epidural, pain was on and off but manageable, I’d say 1-6 on 10 but mostly 4-5. Doctor paid a visit and assured that the surgery was successful. Was able move my feet in all directions – left, right, front, back
Day 2 (night): Not much pain from the surgery, only discomfort. Harry lifted my legs and made me sit, felt good to touch the floor
Day 3: Not much pain, but too much discomfort, stomach become very upset (felt like gas explosions taking place inside). In the night I had the epidural removed so after 3-4 hour I started feeling my legs, pain level rose but still a lot manageable. Dr renewed my dressing; I could see stiches on my legs
Day 4: Bad day – effect of epidural wore out, felt stinging pain in the legs, same day had the catheter removed (this is painful, gives a burning sensation with the first piss, so I held me urine and was slowly discharging it), stomach pain, acidity, constipation intensified, another stress came from wanting to poop but unable to. Felt bit feverish, there was headache, pain in eyes. Was given anemia in the night but no help.
Day 5: Harry somehow made me sit on the pot, was then able to pass the stool – weird but was heavenly. Big relief on the stomach. Was feeling much better. Fever, headache came significantly down but was still there. Discharged the hospital in the afternoon and was shifted to the hotel.
A key point to highlight – before the surgery (i.e. the research phase), I significantly underestimated the discomfort and gave more importance to pain. But now having gone through the surgery, I can certainly tell the case is otherwise. Among others, the biggest discomfort for me was unable to pass the stool.
But worry not all of that subsides once you are out of the hospital.
That's all for now, will upload more details and pictures as I proceed in the journey
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