UNICORN - Dr. Guichet Internal Femurs 8cm - Summer 2016

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Quote from: Unicorn888 on July 08, 2016, 05:04:45 PMI like petite men, can't deal with guys who are too tall - perpetual neck ache!   Also, it sucks to never have eye contact  

I also look very young for my age, so if I walk into a meeting room, clients usually take one look at me and yell, "Coffee please!" 

That's cool. I tend to prefer girls from around your (starting!) height to around 5'6"

I know what you mean. I look young for my age as well. Growing a beard helps, but when I'm clean shaven, I look significantly younger. Although some girls like the baby face look! haha

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Quote from: Unicorn888 on July 08, 2016, 08:42:37 AMSome updates...

I've met up with Doc G a second time for another 1.5 hours where he described all the risks involved and I had to sign a million docs. 

His homework list which I've just completed (phew!) - all of it took about 2 weeks :
-  Blood tests (serology, coagulation, blood group, blood count, ESR, CRP, liver tests, CTX, Alc Phosphatases £180/NHS)
-  Pre-op cardiological ECG report (NHS)
-  Pre-op dental report (£60)
-  Bone densitometry (full body, hip and spine) £450
-  EOS 3D Body xray (anterior-posterior, lower limbs) £330
-  Psychiatric consultation (1hr) £350
-  Daily supplements of folic acid and ferrous sulphate
-  Motivation essay (yes!)
-  Surgery understanding questionnaire (where he asks me to lists all the possible complications/risks by each category like bone, venal, arterial, tendon, ligament, muscular, blood, possible infections, scarring, limping, amputation, septicaemia, bone grafting, non-consolidation...etc.  It was like studying for my driver's license albeit for a guaranteed car crash/hospitalisation/rehab!!!)
-  Daily 2hr personal training (1hr cardio, 1hr alternate upper body and lower body muscle training)
-  Daily practice usage of crutches £36

He has given me a list of pre and post-operative medication and supplements to purchase.  I'm also interviewing live-in nurses for a month post surgery to help, found possible 'special care' food catering and finally, handicap cab service to help me get to my daily rehab training.  I've ordered a hospital bed that's height adjustable, raised toilet seat with arms, sports shoes with easy velcro access, lots of anti-oxidant supplements and tons of movies/books on Kindle/laptop.  I'll note my full list of meds later

That's it for now!  In the meantime, I'm hanging out with his patients at the gym and learning first hand from them.  Everyone's alive and kicking (no pun intended of course  ), and I'm really grateful to be training with his personal trainer Filippo, who is caring, babysits everyone, goes beyond his call of duty to solve ANY issues, and connects current and future patients together in a 'graduating class' so that we all learn and support each other.  I can see the motto, "Together, we stand taller..."

Am really happy with this setup, gives me something to look forward to everyday, PLUS I've shedded 5lbs and begun to have a rockin' body and buns o' steel    Too bad, it's destined for Doc G for now.
You are so well prepared, Unicorn! I wish I had ordered a height-adjustable hospital bed. The mattress that I have is so soft and with one end elevated my sleeping was terrible. Good luck to your LL!

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Quote from: Unicorn888 on July 08, 2016, 04:10:57 PMYours is Sep?  Good, we can keep in touch   Training 2-3 hrs these days

I am meeting with Dr G this Wednesday to discuss dates and preparation. My flexibility needs to improve :/. What kind of training do you do for 2-3 hrs?

I can see you having quite a smooth procedure with how flexible you are 

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45mins : Cardio on bike, elliptical and treadmill
*1hr : LEG DAY : Leg curls, leg extension, leg press, glutes extension, adductor, abductor, toe curls at 85% of maximum strength
*1hr : ARM DAY : Tricep/bicep curls, tricep/bicep dips, shoulder/chest presses, pushups, sit ups at 85% of maximum strength
45mins : Deep stretching focused on quads and hamstrings

*Alternating days, in increasing sets from 3x8 to 5x20, and increasing weight to build up strength

I'm seeing Doc G on Wed too, maybe we'll bump into each other

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Here’s my complete list of supplements/meds from personal research (I'm not a doc, so pls use with caution.  I'm not advocating that you take all, as they might not be effective or clash with each other.  I'm just merely listing all the various helpful elements). 

Also, great article on bone healing : http://www.betterbones.com/bonefracture/speedhealing.pdf

PRE-SURGERY SUPPLEMENTS (60 days)
Ferrous sulfate 80mg x 60 days (1x morning)
Folic acid 5mg x 60 days (1x morning + 1x noon)

ANTI-OXIDANTS
Acai berry
Chia seeds
Flaxseed oil
Vitamin E 800-1200mg
Lycopene
Alpha lipoid acid - wound healing and nerve pain
Coenzyme Q10 <1200mg (mitochondria)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Vitamin C 2000-4000mg
Omega 3 fatty acids (salmon oil)
Quercitin 1-3g
Proanthrocydins
Bromelain (pineapple)
Arnica root
Trypsin - absorb protein in blood

AMINO ACIDS
Lysine - calcium absorption and tissue regeneration
Arginine, proline, glycine, cystine, and glutamine

MINERALS
Zinc - wound healing, osteoporosis, muscle cramps
Copper
Calcium Hydroxyapetite + Vitamin D
Phosphorus
Silica

MORE VITAMINS
Vitamin K
Vitamin B6

PAINKILLERS
8hr release acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg every 4 hours
Codeine 30mg
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Dilaudid
Lyrica
Tramadol 37mg

BLOOD THINNER
Heparin

RELAXANT
Diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam

TOPICAL APPLICATION
Alternate warm and cold compress
Diclofenac/ketoprofen gel
Methyl salicylate gel

CONSTIPATION
Prunes
Dulcolax

SLEEP AIDS
Anti-histamines : hydroxyzine, benadryl, chlorphenaramin
Ambien

LIVER CARE
Castor oil warm compress on liver
Dandelion root tea (2 litres daily)
Liver armour
Probiotics

OTHER
Bovine colostrum (wound healing)
Solcoseryl (wound healing)
Collagen
Non-denatured protein whey

OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION
Oestrogens
SERMS
Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, zoledronic acid)
Strontium ranelate
Chondroitin sulfate
Glucosamine

TO AVOID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (delays fracture healing):
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Indomethacin
Etodolac (Lodine)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Nabumetone (Relafen)
Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn)

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Quote from: Unicorn888 on July 14, 2016, 08:12:31 AMHere’s my complete list of supplements/meds from personal research (I'm not a doc, so pls use with caution.  I'm not advocating that you take all, as they might not be effective or clash with each other.  I'm just merely listing all the various helpful elements). 

Also, great article on bone healing : http://www.betterbones.com/bonefracture/speedhealing.pdf

PRE-SURGERY SUPPLEMENTS (60 days)
Ferrous sulfate 80mg x 60 days (1x morning)
Folic acid 5mg x 60 days (1x morning + 1x noon)

ANTI-OXIDANTS
Acai berry
Chia seeds
Flaxseed oil
Vitamin E 800-1200mg
Lycopene
Alpha lipoid acid - wound healing and nerve pain
Coenzyme Q10 <1200mg (mitochondria)

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Vitamin C 2000-4000mg
Omega 3 fatty acids (salmon oil)
Quercitin 1-3g
Proanthrocydins
Bromelain (pineapple)
Arnica root
Trypsin - absorb protein in blood

AMINO ACIDS
Lysine - calcium absorption and tissue regeneration
Arginine, proline, glycine, cystine, and glutamine

MINERALS
Zinc - wound healing, osteoporosis, muscle cramps
Copper
Calcium Hydroxyapetite + Vitamin D
Phosphorus
Silica

MORE VITAMINS
Vitamin K
Vitamin B6

PAINKILLERS
8hr release acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg every 4 hours
Codeine 30mg
Oxycodone
Oxycontin
Dilaudid
Lyrica
Tramadol 37mg

BLOOD THINNER
Heparin

RELAXANT
Diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam

TOPICAL APPLICATION
Alternate warm and cold compress
Diclofenac/ketoprofen gel
Methyl salicylate gel

CONSTIPATION
Prunes
Dulcolax

SLEEP AIDS
Anti-histamines : hydroxyzine, benadryl, chlorphenaramin
Ambien

LIVER CARE
Castor oil warm compress on liver
Dandelion root tea (2 litres daily)
Liver armour
Probiotics

OTHER
Bovine colostrum (wound healing)
Solcoseryl (wound healing)
Collagen
Non-denatured protein whey

OSTEOPOROSIS PREVENTION
Oestrogens
SERMS
Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate, ibandronate, zoledronic acid)
Strontium ranelate
Chondroitin sulfate
Glucosamine

TO AVOID
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers (delays fracture healing):
Aspirin
Ibuprofen
Indomethacin
Etodolac (Lodine)
Meloxicam (Mobic)
Nabumetone (Relafen)
Naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn)

Dr.G actually prescribed aspirin for us to take twice a day since the 10th day after the surgery.

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Quote from: dream_catcher on July 14, 2016, 09:44:46 AMDr.G actually prescribed aspirin for us to take twice a day since the 10th day after the surgery.

Makes sense, it's for blood thinning/anti-coagulant to prevent deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, right? 

I'm not a doc, but apparently low molecular weight heparin, fondaparinux/Arixtra (via injection) delays bone healing least compared to aspirin, warfarin or regular heparin.

I'll ask Doc G 

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Did another set of Cybex tests today, achieved 35%, 45% and 54% more strength in my right leg which is the weaker one.  My left leg increased by only 7-22% strength.  But both legs are now evenly strong, which is the most important.  Finally, I made Doc G's 30% strength increase requirement!     Was told that if strength difference is significant btw both legs, higher risk of fracture.

Had to hound Doc G (1 email, 1 call, 3 text messages) to see him yesterday so that he can review all my test results and determine if I qualify for surgery.  Thankfully, I passed as a candidate with bone density, strength, flexibility, xray, blood coagulation rate etc etc etc etc.  Surgery date confirmed - 7am July 26th + 3 days' stay at hospital.  Really scared of spine injection for epidural and catheter... I'd rather pee all over myself for the first 3 days.  I'll ask Doc G in the operating theatre

For the next 11 days, I've been asked to learn how to climb and descend stairs and walk with crutches, with least pressure on legs.  Scary, I tried today and could not even go up one stair   It's really hard! 

Worked doubly hard in the gym doing tricep dips and assorted arm strengtheners.  Will have to increase my max weight leg exercises twice over next week so that I'm in tip top condition.

Found a carer as well to stay at my flat for one month to take care of everything.

That's all for now!

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Hey Unicorn

It was great to meet you. I can see you having less pain due to your ridiculous flexibility. How did you get your blood tests and ecg on the NHS?

I am going to start training with Fillipo soon, so see you around

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Hi unicorn,

thanks for shapring your diary!

What do you or Dr. G. mean by saying: "Was told that if strength difference is significant btw both legs, higher risk of fracture."

I mean there is a fracture, right