Posted on Sep 19, 2020, 3:32 am
#1
Hey everyone! So I finally went thru with the procedure with Dr M. Surgery date was 8/28/2020 and I'm officially 3 weeks post op today. I wanted to start my diary here sooner but tbh I was focused on getting rest and pain management these past few weeks.
I have read some amazing journeys on this forum and hopefully mines will give the next person that push to get this done. So far I am over 15mm distracted which is more than half an inch of growth
Day 1: Surgery date I arrive to the hospital at 5:30 AM. I register and get sent up to my room to change clothes. The doctors assistant comes in to shave my legs and soon after the anesthesiologist comes to ask me a few standard questions. At this point it’s probably right around 7 o’clock and Dr. M comes in to let me know we are soon about to start the procedure. Minutes later I am being rolled out on my bed to the operating room. The next thing I know I wake up around 1pm with the nurses saying that my procedure went well.
Because of anesthesia & meds there was not much pain I felt at that point. Hours later a physical therapist comes into my room and ask me if I wanted to try to walk. I replied “yes let’s give it a try”. I didn’t think I would truly be able to walk on the same day as the procedure but with some help from the walker and some motivation from the therapist I was very capable. 
I stayed in bed the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Dr M spoke with me and told me everything went well. He also mentioned that I have tough bones (harder to cut thru for the osteotomy). Nevertheless all is good.
Rested most of the day and did physical therapy twice. Physical therapy consisted mostly walking from bed to bath, bed to room door, room door to near by exit sign.
Again, I’m still shocked af i could walked this much with 1 day old broken legs.
Day 3: Rest and PT. Had the option to discharge but I didn’t feel 100% confident in my condition
Day 4-6: Discharge from the hospital early and back at home! Pain levels are high but that’s expected. Sitting on the toilet is not comfortable. Right now there is only one thing I wanna do — Rest, rest, rest!
Day 7: picked the ERC from Dr M’s office. The nurse showed me how to use it. It’s literally so easy it requires no thought. Turn it on, place it on your left leg at the marker line, then press the green start button. 60 seconds later it’s time to switch to your right leg and do the same thing.
For the next 5 days I had to used the ERC 4 times daily. After that it’s 3 times daily.
Yes, distraction is uncomfortable EVERY time I use the ERC. A lot of stretching is a MUST!
I have a Physical therapist that Dr. M recommended who comes to my house 3 to 4 times a week for PT sessions. The therapist really helps you push your limits without overdoing it.
Day 12: Walking unassisted for the first time because my therapist motivated me to do so. She said “the mind will trick you to think you can’t but trust your body & take a step”.... I let go of the fear and sure enough I could walk without a walker, crutches, or cane! Mind blown 🤯
Next few days are similar — Rest, PT, walk, rest, PT, walk.. I also added 15 mins of stationary Bike to my daily routine. Pain levels are still pretty high so meds are certainly needed (especially after PT & lengthening).
Day 21: today makes 3 weeks post op. I had a check up appointment with Dr M. The new x rays look good. My flexibility and range of motion is excellent. Dr M said I’m walking really good already. I have another follow up appointment in 3 weeks. Right now I’m 15.89mm distracted.
BTW 3 days ago I started feeling some discomfort on the left leg near the osteotomy site. Dr M mentioned it could be the IT band release. It's getting slightly better each day but i wanted to share with you all. Has anyone here experience this?
Starting height: 5'8"
Current height (today): 5'8.5"
End height goal: 5'11"
I have read some amazing journeys on this forum and hopefully mines will give the next person that push to get this done. So far I am over 15mm distracted which is more than half an inch of growth
Day 1: Surgery date I arrive to the hospital at 5:30 AM. I register and get sent up to my room to change clothes. The doctors assistant comes in to shave my legs and soon after the anesthesiologist comes to ask me a few standard questions. At this point it’s probably right around 7 o’clock and Dr. M comes in to let me know we are soon about to start the procedure. Minutes later I am being rolled out on my bed to the operating room. The next thing I know I wake up around 1pm with the nurses saying that my procedure went well.
Because of anesthesia & meds there was not much pain I felt at that point. Hours later a physical therapist comes into my room and ask me if I wanted to try to walk. I replied “yes let’s give it a try”. I didn’t think I would truly be able to walk on the same day as the procedure but with some help from the walker and some motivation from the therapist I was very capable. 
I stayed in bed the rest of the evening.
Day 2: Dr M spoke with me and told me everything went well. He also mentioned that I have tough bones (harder to cut thru for the osteotomy). Nevertheless all is good.
Rested most of the day and did physical therapy twice. Physical therapy consisted mostly walking from bed to bath, bed to room door, room door to near by exit sign.
Again, I’m still shocked af i could walked this much with 1 day old broken legs.
Day 3: Rest and PT. Had the option to discharge but I didn’t feel 100% confident in my condition
Day 4-6: Discharge from the hospital early and back at home! Pain levels are high but that’s expected. Sitting on the toilet is not comfortable. Right now there is only one thing I wanna do — Rest, rest, rest!
Day 7: picked the ERC from Dr M’s office. The nurse showed me how to use it. It’s literally so easy it requires no thought. Turn it on, place it on your left leg at the marker line, then press the green start button. 60 seconds later it’s time to switch to your right leg and do the same thing.
For the next 5 days I had to used the ERC 4 times daily. After that it’s 3 times daily.
Yes, distraction is uncomfortable EVERY time I use the ERC. A lot of stretching is a MUST!
I have a Physical therapist that Dr. M recommended who comes to my house 3 to 4 times a week for PT sessions. The therapist really helps you push your limits without overdoing it.
Day 12: Walking unassisted for the first time because my therapist motivated me to do so. She said “the mind will trick you to think you can’t but trust your body & take a step”.... I let go of the fear and sure enough I could walk without a walker, crutches, or cane! Mind blown 🤯
Next few days are similar — Rest, PT, walk, rest, PT, walk.. I also added 15 mins of stationary Bike to my daily routine. Pain levels are still pretty high so meds are certainly needed (especially after PT & lengthening).
Day 21: today makes 3 weeks post op. I had a check up appointment with Dr M. The new x rays look good. My flexibility and range of motion is excellent. Dr M said I’m walking really good already. I have another follow up appointment in 3 weeks. Right now I’m 15.89mm distracted.
BTW 3 days ago I started feeling some discomfort on the left leg near the osteotomy site. Dr M mentioned it could be the IT band release. It's getting slightly better each day but i wanted to share with you all. Has anyone here experience this?
Starting height: 5'8"
Current height (today): 5'8.5"
End height goal: 5'11"
You're the man bro! LL ICON