It is remarkable that Dr Lee hasn't had even 1 non-union for stature lengthening..Did you ask him about the non-union risk while discussing complications? Is it pure coincidence or does he use some special technique to prevent it?
Quote from: Vogel on August 07, 2022, 09:22:28 AMThank you very much
Hi Vogel - I met with the international rep and she said to use this WhatsApp #: +82-10-8729-0030.
Let me know if that works.
UPDATE:
I had my 2nd post op x-ray review yesterday and I was told that I can start weight-bearing 100%. It's been exactly 2.5 months since the surgery, and one month since I stopped lengthening so I was ecstatic! Of course, I still use crutches when I have to go long distances because my muscles need to catch up. But damn. After my appointment with Dr. Lee, while waiting in the lobby, I decided to stand on my own, and it was glorious!
Muscles are still a bit sore and my walking gait still needs work (aka more stretching and strength training) but damn is it good to be able to walk and not rely on my wheelchair 100% of the time!
@Realistic - it's not a coincidence that he has 0% non-union. From what I understand from watching his YouTube videos, he uses a very precise (no pun intended), clean, and minimally invasive way of cutting the bone not using an electric saw because it generates heat which destroys more tissue. He explains a lot of this in his YouTube channel). Of course, I mentioned that during my initial consultation with him but he assured me that I wouldn't have to worry about it.
For reference, here are the videos I'm referring to, which explain a few of Dr. Lee's techniques and methods. They are in Korean but if you choose CC > English, you can get the Eng subtitles.
safest osteotomy for limb lengthening
details that patients might not have recognized
I stumbled upon his non-English YouTube website about a month ago and I wish I had found it sooner. It contains a lot of useful info about the procedure, which relieved a lot of my concerns I had even post-surgery. The channel also does a good job profiling Dr. Lee to give you a taste of what he's like as a person and what he did prior to doing LL. For eg I had no idea he was an army surgeon who was deployed in Iraq. That's pretty bad ass.
Anyway, there are patients whose bones come in a bit slower, but they have special treatments (i.e, Lipus ultrasound or something like that) that can help with bone growth. He also will adjust the rate at which you lengthen depending on how fast or slow your bone grows. Hope that answers your question! I'm sure he will be able to give a much more thorough explanation but that's what I've been able to gather from talking to some of the patients and watching YouTube.
@Akali - I decided to go through with this because I wanted to get rid of the stress I had due to having non proportionate legs. TBH I was close to giving up and just living like this for the rest of my life because I was under the impression that limb lengthening is a life/death matter. But after coming across Dr. Lee, and learning about how thorough, meticulous, and careful he is, I decided to go through with it. Of course, the one thing that I have to accept is the small chance that my sports ability won't be 100% what it was pre-surgery. I'm doing everything I can in my power to make sure that doesn't happen but even in the event that my sports ability is 90% of what it was pre-surgery, I can live with that and I don't regret my decision.
Regarding the pain, if you expect it, you'll know how to deal with it. They'll prescribe you pain killers and the physical therapists will treat you based on your pain level during your PT sessions, so I found that that helped a lot. My biggest advice is: stretch, stretch, and stretch your muscles pre-surgery. If your muscles are nimble and stretched prior to lengthening, you'll most likely have an easier time. 
I did not stretch as much as I should've and I regretted it.
I'm super happy with how my legs turned out. The pain and tears (yes, I actually cried a few times during the lengthening period because of the pain and because I felt a little depressed being stuck to a wheelchair) were well worth the results.
Bottom line; I don't think I would've done this surgery with any other surgeon, not even the ones in Europe or the U.S. If you have a chance to get it with Dr. Lee, I'd say go for it!
Hi
You did limb lengthening for only 3cm?
wait, what do you mean "being stuck to a wheelchair"
how long it takes you to walk with crutches? I didn't know about the wheelchair thing actually. I know about Precice cannot bear the body weight but I thought it would be crutches or something else. Because being stuck to a wheelchair must be really hard...
Quote from: live_potato on August 09, 2022, 07:09:40 AMHi Vogel - I met with the international rep and she said to use this WhatsApp #: +82-10-8729-0030.
Let me know if that works.
UPDATE:
I had my 2nd post op x-ray review yesterday and I was told that I can start weight-bearing 100%. It's been exactly 2.5 months since the surgery, and one month since I stopped lengthening so I was ecstatic! Of course, I still use crutches when I have to go long distances because my muscles need to catch up. But damn. After my appointment with Dr. Lee, while waiting in the lobby, I decided to stand on my own, and it was glorious!
Muscles are still a bit sore and my walking gait still needs work (aka more stretching and strength training) but damn is it good to be able to walk and not rely on my wheelchair 100% of the time!
@Realistic - it's not a coincidence that he has 0% non-union. From what I understand from watching his YouTube videos, he uses a very precise (no pun intended), clean, and minimally invasive way of cutting the bone not using an electric saw because it generates heat which destroys more tissue. He explains a lot of this in his YouTube channel). Of course, I mentioned that during my initial consultation with him but he assured me that I wouldn't have to worry about it.
For reference, here are the videos I'm referring to, which explain a few of Dr. Lee's techniques and methods. They are in Korean but if you choose CC > English, you can get the Eng subtitles.
safest osteotomy for limb lengthening
details that patients might not have recognized
I stumbled upon his non-English YouTube website about a month ago and I wish I had found it sooner. It contains a lot of useful info about the procedure, which relieved a lot of my concerns I had even post-surgery. The channel also does a good job profiling Dr. Lee to give you a taste of what he's like as a person and what he did prior to doing LL. For eg I had no idea he was an army surgeon who was deployed in Iraq. That's pretty bad ass.
Anyway, there are patients whose bones come in a bit slower, but they have special treatments (i.e, Lipus ultrasound or something like that) that can help with bone growth. He also will adjust the rate at which you lengthen depending on how fast or slow your bone grows. Hope that answers your question! I'm sure he will be able to give a much more thorough explanation but that's what I've been able to gather from talking to some of the patients and watching YouTube.
@Akali - I decided to go through with this because I wanted to get rid of the stress I had due to having non proportionate legs. TBH I was close to giving up and just living like this for the rest of my life because I was under the impression that limb lengthening is a life/death matter. But after coming across Dr. Lee, and learning about how thorough, meticulous, and careful he is, I decided to go through with it. Of course, the one thing that I have to accept is the small chance that my sports ability won't be 100% what it was pre-surgery. I'm doing everything I can in my power to make sure that doesn't happen but even in the event that my sports ability is 90% of what it was pre-surgery, I can live with that and I don't regret my decision.
Regarding the pain, if you expect it, you'll know how to deal with it. They'll prescribe you pain killers and the physical therapists will treat you based on your pain level during your PT sessions, so I found that that helped a lot. My biggest advice is: stretch, stretch, and stretch your muscles pre-surgery. If your muscles are nimble and stretched prior to lengthening, you'll most likely have an easier time. I did not stretch as much as I should've and I regretted it.
I'm super happy with how my legs turned out. The pain and tears (yes, I actually cried a few times during the lengthening period because of the pain and because I felt a little depressed being stuck to a wheelchair) were well worth the results.
Bottom line; I don't think I would've done this surgery with any other surgeon, not even the ones in Europe or the U.S. If you have a chance to get it with Dr. Lee, I'd say go for it!
Thank you very much for taking the time to answer all of us. Much appreciated and I’m really happy that all is going well with you and I’m sure that you will regain 100% of your athletic ability prior to your surgery, just stay consistent and you will get there. 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
How cm he gained?tibia or femur?
Quote from: akali on August 09, 2022, 01:03:43 PMwait, what do you mean "being stuck to a wheelchair"
how long it takes you to walk with crutches? I didn't know about the wheelchair thing actually. I know about Precice cannot bear the body weight but I thought it would be crutches or something else. Because being stuck to a wheelchair must be really hard...
Sorry for the delay!- been a while.
During the lengthening phase, you can't weightbare, at all. Period. Not sure how other doctors do it, but I was told not to weight bear during lengthening. I was able to walk and fully weightbare one month after I stopped lengthening. I was on the faster side since usually, at 4-weeks post lengthening, most patients can start to walk using a walker and gradually can start putting more weight over the next several weeks. It all depends on how fast your bone comes in. Hope that answers your question.
And yes. Being wheelchair bound for 2 months was tough!
Quote from: live_potato on September 01, 2022, 11:52:06 AMSorry for the delay!- been a while.
During the lengthening phase, you can't weightbare, at all. Period. Not sure how other doctors do it, but I was told not to weight bear during lengthening. I was able to walk and fully weightbare one month after I stopped lengthening. I was on the faster side since usually, at 4-weeks post lengthening, most patients can start to walk using a walker and gradually can start putting more weight over the next several weeks. It all depends on how fast your bone comes in. Hope that answers your question.
And yes. Being wheelchair bound for 2 months was tough!
It’s okay! Thank you for the answer. It was though but you did it!! Congratz with your new height 🤙🏼
Thank you for the diary! Not many diaries about Dr. Lee here, very helpful!!! I am considering going to Korea next year. May I ask if you are staying at the hotel recommended by the hospital? (I was told that the hospital doesn't have inpatient packages anymore
). How long did you stay in Korea and did you need someone to accompany you to the rehab center after the surgery? Looking forward to your reply!
Do you know how much does LON cost currently with him? Is the price same as 2021? How much did u spend on accomodation and helper? I am thinking of doing with him on my own and hiring a helper, but not sure how long do i need the helper for.
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