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Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 7:33 pm
#11

I had the impression that you were about to graduate. I normally advise people to get LL when they're younger because they heal faster and possibly better. But keep in mind that after 3 months of lengthening, you will be in crutches or a wheelchair for 3 more months. You can tell people that it's for some other reason. But the 3 inch increase is noticeable and not believable if it happens within 3-4 months. All signs will point to LL. You will get caught by at least one person. Whether that's a big deal or not to you is up to you to decide. But those are the facts. 3 inches is a significant increase even if it doesn't sound like it. I've stood next to people at my old height before and now they're below eye level. That's almost impossible to cover up unless you plan on hunching over to talk to shorter people.

Almost no explanation, bowlegs or whatever would explain a 3 inch increase. Perhaps if your bowlegs were major, then it would make sense. But I think people would know if you had major bowlegs before.

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Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 8:15 pm
#12

Quote from: DoingItForMe on December 21, 2015, 07:33:48 PMI had the impression that you were about to graduate. I normally advise people to get LL when they're younger because they heal faster and possibly better. But keep in mind that after 3 months of lengthening, you will be in crutches or a wheelchair for 3 more months.


I plan to do my operation with Dr. Guichet, and the most diaries I have read with him, is that his patients walk without crutches a few weeks Post-OP. So, if he tells me I have to be in a wheelchair for about 3 months, that would not be an option for me. With neither doctor.

That is a very important issue you are pointing out here. But for me, I do not think I would start a complete new social life after LL.

Quote from: DoingItForMe on December 21, 2015, 07:33:48 PMAll signs will point to LL. You will get caught by at least one person. Whether that's a big deal or not to you is up to you to decide. But those are the facts. 3 inches is a significant increase even if it doesn't sound like it. I've stood next to people at my old height before and now they're below eye level. That's almost impossible to cover up unless you plan on hunching over to talk to shorter people.
Almost no explanation, bowlegs or whatever would explain a 3 inch increase. Perhaps if your bowlegs were major, then it would make sense. But I think people would know if you had major bowlegs before.


Thanks for the reality check, but I do have to tell that now I wear height lifting shoes. So my 3 inch gain, would be more like a 2-inchish gain. Still noticeable right? Does it make a difference that most of my peers (even girls) are taller than me. So looking down on shorter people would not be that of an issue.

Mhm, do you think so many people know about LL?

And what about my idea with the open growth plates and the hormones -- but that would not explain my altered gait.
Damn, I am really frustrated now.

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Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 9:13 pm
#13

Quote from: Madmax_01 on December 21, 2015, 08:15:49 PMI plan to do my operation with Dr. Guichet, and the most diaries I have read with him, is that his patients walk without crutches a few weeks Post-OP. So, if he tells me I have to be in a wheelchair for about 3 months, that would not be an option for me. With neither doctor.

That is a very important issue you are pointing out here. But for me, I do not think I would start a complete new social life after LL.

Thanks for the reality check, but I do have to tell that now I wear height lifting shoes. So my 3 inch gain, would be more like a 2-inchish gain. Still noticeable right? Does it make a difference that most of my peers (even girls) are taller than me. So looking down on shorter people would not be that of an issue.

Mhm, do you think so many people know about LL?

And what about my idea with the open growth plates and the hormones -- but that would not explain my altered gait.
Damn, I am really frustrated now.


If you're comfortable with the hormone story, go with it.. Though, I don't see the point in lying about gaining height with the procedure if you're just going to tell them that you gained height with hormones anyway.

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Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 9:47 pm
#14

So you think I have to decide first if I want to cover it up completely or just be open about the height gain (just not telling them LL) ?
I see your point. I havent figured out yet, which strategy I would pursue, but telling them LL would be something which directly leads to my neurosis. I mean lets be honest, LL is a cosmetic procedure, which is not fully accepted in society (nose jobs, breast augmentations etc.). These are things also people wish To have them as they want by nature, but getting your legs broken - that is another level, which 99% would not understand.

The hormone thing has a more "medical touch" than a cosmetic. Could I explain myself? The aftermath

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Posted on Dec 21, 2015, 11:02 pm
#15

It might not be as bad as you might think. I have a cousin who gave me a lot of crap for doing this procedure, but I showed him a video of my surgeon performing an HTO and told him the process was similar to it. After seeing how bloody and painful it looked, he said "Damn dude, you've got balls" and I've yet to get any flak from him once more. Being at a lower starting height, you may even get more sympathetic comments of "it's understandable why you'd do it" rather than the more negative comments.

I'm of the opinion that the lower the starting height, the more any height increase is going to stand out to other people. Three inches will absolutely be noticeable and it's something that you'll have to explain at some point if people who knew you before surgery ask you about it.

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Posted on Dec 22, 2015, 12:57 am
#16

8 CM height is a lot.

My basic observations is:

Everyone notices I'm taller.

No one notices how.

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Posted on Dec 22, 2015, 1:25 am
#17

Quote from: Madmax_01 on December 21, 2015, 08:15:49 PMI plan to do my operation with Dr. Guichet, and the most diaries I have read with him, is that his patients walk without crutches a few weeks Post-OP. So, if he tells me I have to be in a wheelchair for about 3 months, that would not be an option for me. With neither doctor.


That's not true anymore.  I think Dr. Guichet has gotten more conservative on this aspect.  Every patient I lengthened with this past summer was on crutches at least until the end of lengthening.  I was on crutches much longer than others after finishing lengthening due to my slow bone consolidation.

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Posted on Dec 22, 2015, 3:51 pm
#18

How long were you on crutches if I may ask? If I plan to stop lenghtening in the begin/-mid of August, is it realistic that I could resume my studies in the beginning of october 16'? I would be standing a few hours (3-4 hours) in October due to my lab classes.

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Posted on Dec 23, 2015, 2:26 am
#19

Quote from: Madmax_01 on December 22, 2015, 03:51:20 PMHow long were you on crutches if I may ask? If I plan to stop lenghtening in the begin/-mid of August, is it realistic that I could resume my studies in the beginning of october 16'? I would be standing a few hours (3-4 hours) in October due to my lab classes.


including lengthening, I was on crutches for almost 6 months, but I also had the slowest consolidation by far compared to other patients.  unless you run into complications or your consolidation is like mine, it's possible you can get back to school in that time frame.  standing should be ok, though your legs may be still weak.  your walking may still still be weird too.  In general though, I think it's good to be extra conservative when it comes to LL timelines because they usually run longer than planned for one reason or another. 

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Posted on Dec 23, 2015, 2:20 pm
#20

Quote from: goldenegg on December 23, 2015, 02:26:49 AMincluding lengthening, I was on crutches for almost 6 months, but I also had the slowest consolidation by far compared to other patients.  unless you run into complications or your consolidation is like mine, it's possible you can get back to school in that time frame.  standing should be ok, though your legs may be still weak.  your walking may still still be weird too.  In general though, I think it's good to be extra conservative when it comes to LL timelines because they usually run longer than planned for one reason or another.


Thank you for your detailed answer! May I ask you if you could determine the factor, why it took so long - was it an age factor f.e. ?

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