Limb Lengthening Forum
Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Patients Experiences => Topic started by: Nyc brother on October 27, 2021, 05:58:49 PM
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Hi guys,
I wanted to give back to this forum, as I learnt so much from LL Forum.
I’m 28. 159.5 CM.
I had surgery today. The Dr. is very good and trustworthy. The hospital I would say is average, if you don’t ask for anything you don’t get. I’m so happy I have relatives with me at least for the beginning.
Athens is not the most developed city to say the least, however I am very grateful and happy with my apartment which is on the first floor and in a quite neighborhood, which in my opinion is huge.
I did surgery at 8AM and woke up at 2PM.
Thank G-d pain is only 2-3/10 and I’m able to bend my knees and lift legs in bed.
I hope G-d willing I will be able to walk tomorrow with walker or crutches.
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Congratulations on the beginning of your journey.
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Thank you so much 🙏
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Stay strong man¡ Hope to meet you before I go back to Spain.
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Good luck dude, what is your goal height?
I think the max on g-nail is 10cm.
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I can see there are growing patiens using G-nail with Giotikas while Precice is still unavailable. Do they choose G-nail because of unavailability of Precice or because G-nail superiority?
Is it risky going with Precice in Athens everyday from home to PT center? Or is there any accomodation near PT center?
I read that clicking is paintful and sometimes has to be done under anesthesia. I am waiting for Stryde at least for now but also open for other options.
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Stay strong man¡ Hope to meet you before I go back to Spain.
Thank you!!!
Yes, I look forward to meeting you next week. And thank you so much for your dairy and help over the phone.
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I can see there are growing patiens using G-nail with Giotikas while Precice is still unavailable. Do they choose G-nail because of unavailability of Precice or because G-nail superiority?
Is it risky going with Precice in Athens everyday from home to PT center? Or is there any accomodation near PT center?
I read that clicking is paintful and sometimes has to be done under anesthesia. I am waiting for Stryde at least for now but also open for other options.
I can only speak for myself. I like that G-nail is weight bearing and can go up to 9.5-10cm.
I still did not go to PT yet. I mean with precise you need to be in wheelchair and this city is not designed for wheelchair access.
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Good luck dude, what is your goal height?
I think the max on g-nail is 10cm.
Thank you! I would like to go the maximum G-d willing.
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congrats on getting it done. how long are you staying in athens? to do 10 cm that means you need to stay there around 4 months right?
edit-and please let us know your experience about the clicking. im considering gnail too but reading some diaries with mechanical clicking difficulties it makes me reconsider precice if i want internals.
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congrats on getting it done. how long are you staying in athens? to do 10 cm that means you need to stay there around 4 months right?
Yes, you are right. The doctor told me 4 months. I got an Airbnb for 5 month though.
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When did you first contact Anta and get the schedule for the surgery date?
I am considering doing it now with Precice or G-nail, or doing it later with Stryde.
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When did you first contact Anta and get the schedule for the surgery date?
I am considering doing it now with Precice or G-nail, or doing it later with Stryde.
I first contacted Anta in mid August, so basically two and a half months from first contact to surgery.
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what is your wingspan brother? 10cm not gona be a problem?
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Hey Nyc brother,
Happy to hear you've started your journey! Do you mind posting your xrays?
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Hey Nyc brother,
Happy to hear you've started your journey! Do you mind posting your xrays?
Hey thanks, I didn’t get my xrays yet.
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FYI
I know another 3 patients who did G-nail yesterday and on Tuesday.
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Yes, you are right. The doctor told me 4 months. I got an Airbnb for 5 month though.
Hi Bro
Dr.Giotikas would never ask you to do 10cm.
He would emphasize the importance of function rather than lengthening cm.
Most cases should be 7cm to 8cm.
Did you ask him about your proportion and how much you can lengthen?
He can do the estimation and tell you.
Do check with him.
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Hi Bro
Dr.Giotikas would never ask you to do 10cm.
He would emphasize the importance of function rather than lengthening cm.
Most cases should be 7cm to 8cm.
Did you ask him about your proportion and how much you can lengthen?
He can do the estimation and tell you.
Do check with him.
Of course he told me maximum 9.5
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Hey guys,
The surgery went well thank G-d. I personally am happy here. PT is good. All the patients here are very nice. I can understand some people not liking the city of Athens. I like it though.
The biggest advice I can give is financial. The Doctor is great, however there is false advertising in the sense that you can do those alone. Everyone here either has their girlfriend/family member or if they came alone they hire the nurses. The point is if you come by yourself be ready to shell out a few more grand for aids. Besides that all is good.
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The hospital is in Glyfada, which is better. Let us know how much you like it after 1 month.
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Ahaha, I hated the hospital.
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Hey guys, just wanted to check in. Overall all is good thank G-d. Right now, me and most of the patients are in the inflammation phase - which is the hardest. Doctor is asking us to do more clicks - 21 per day. Some are doing it, some aren’t. In general everything is provided here. I can tell you the most useful things that I have brought from America that helped me the most are:
1. Icepacks!
2. Ibuprofen
3. Tylenol PM
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Hi hope you are doing well. Is there any update? :)
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Hi hope you are doing well. Is there any update? :)
Yes, sorry I did not update in a while. Thank G-d all is good.
There is some pain, but thank G-d it goes away. Sleep is much better. First 3 weeks are hard pain wise afterwards it gets much better.
All in all I am happy.
Clicks are hard the first 3 weeks, please be mentally prepared.
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Yes, sorry I did not update in a while. Thank G-d all is good.
There is some pain, but thank G-d it goes away. Sleep is much better. First 3 weeks are hard pain wise afterwards it gets much better.
All in all I am happy.
Clicks are hard the first 3 weeks, please be mentally prepared.
Hi Nyc brother,,
hope you are doing well , was wondering if there is any update
how many Cms you managed to lengthen and how was the clicking ,
what about your mobilization and walking around , hope that is also manageable
I understand that Gnails are full weight bearing so is it crazy to do the surgery , stay for a coplue of weeks in athens and then go back to come country to resume the work ? I will be doing stretching, PT from my country ..
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I went to the doctor yesterday. Thank G-d 5.2cm in left and 5.1cm on right.
All is good here. I personally bought the monthly package for the nurses to click for me during the first month. Right now my dad is clicking for me. The fact he came is a whole story in itself ...
Thank the Almighty Lord clicking is much easier and better!
I’m walking good and PT is good Thank G-d. I did have very tight IT bands and hips. The PT worked very hard on me to loosen the tightness. It was not fun lol it was painful a bit. I think from 3.5 cm to 5cm is when tightness kicks in, at least for me. I work from here and so do a few others. So far I know only one person who was in Athens for 5 weeks and left. He actually has a diary on the forum, so maybe reach out to him.
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For some reason most of the G-nail patients in Athens prefer to stay here for all the lengthening period. It’s not like Betz where you can be there 2-3 weeks and leave.
Probably because we are all nervous about clicks and want to make sure if there are problems at least we are here in Athens.
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So all is good thank G-d. The tightness has be reduced but I still need to exercise and bike all the time to keep it loose. I came with a group of 4 people I late October. (We didn’t come together but we were in the hospital together and surgery same day or day after) There was only 4 g-nail patients before us so we were patients number 5-9. one person already left and another is leaving in 2 weeks. New people are coming. I feel like an old timer lol.
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I came with a group of 4 people I late October. (We didn’t come together but we were in the hospital together and surgery same day or day after)
wow! do you know how many surgeries dr G does in a day? he must be very busy.
this is good in one way because as more Gnail patients come and go the more confident future patients like me become.
on the other hand i hope dr G does not do surgeries almost all day long everyday, thats gonna fatigue him and might affect outcome. :)
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It’s obvious to all patients here that Dr G.’s business will grow. I know more are coming in January.
To be honest with you I already foresaw in August/September that Dr G’ will grow a lot being that bezt is full, most people will come to him for G-nail. I wanted to make sure I get a good price before he decides to raise it 😂
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Being that he is in London for most of the month he schedules the G- nail patients together the week - weekend he is in Athens. That way when he comes he can do 3-4 at a time.
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Interesting because it seems like more patients are going to him over Guichet the inventor of the nail. Guichet's prices are comparable too.
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maybe because of guichet history. we all know of unicorn's case...
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Being that he is in London for most of the month he schedules the G- nail patients together the week - weekend he is in Athens. That way when he comes he can do 3-4 at a time.
what about current patients, how do you contact when he's needed in athens and he is in london? are you guys doing online consultation only? does he have another doctor who stays in athens all the time for emergency?
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All is good here. I personally bought the monthly package for the nurses to click for me during the first month. Right now my dad is clicking for me. The fact he came is a whole story in itself ...
Hi
Can I click by myself if I come alone or do I have to hire nurse?
How painful is it when clicking, pain level 1-10?
How many click equal to 1mm?
Hope all is well, I like reading your dairy.
Thanks
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what about current patients, how do you contact when he's needed in athens and he is in london? are you guys doing online consultation only? does he have another doctor who stays in athens all the time for emergency?
Great questions. Yes he does have a doctor here in Athens that is his assistance if you feel you need extra check up. However usually Dr G tries to answer your questions before you schedule an extra visit with his assistance. I personally always text the doctor my concerns and thank G- d he always get back to me within 30 minutes. He does not Abandon his patients. We go to the hospital to do xrays every 2-3 weeks usually it’s with Dr. G but sometimes it’s with his assistance who then sends it to the doctor to check and the doctor calls you that night to discuss.
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Hi
Can I click by myself if I come alone or do I have to hire nurse?
How painful is it when clicking, pain level 1-10?
How many click equal to 1mm?
Hope all is well, I like reading your dairy.
Thanks
Most of the patients are hiring the nurses or have a family member clicking for them. There is a new patient who is clicking by himself however he is only on day 3. So it will be interesting to see how it goes for him. The key to clicks is to relax the legs as much as possible AND Trust G-d at least for me. The more tension in the legs the more painful it is. On good days pain is 1-2. Inflammation phase is not easy. This usually starts 12 days after surgery and lasts a week or 10 days.
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how much do you pay the nurse to do the clicking for you?
how many times do you click per day, and the nurse comes to your home everytime you need to click?
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how much do you pay the nurse to do the clicking for you?
how many times do you click per day, and the nurse comes to your home everytime you need to click?
The nurses want 3,000 euros for the month. But don’t worry I didn’t pay that. They come to your apartment 2x a day and want 50 euros a session - 100 euros a day.
You need to click 15x in the day. So we break it into 2. 8 clicks in the morning and 7 in late afternoon.
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So I just heard Dr. G’s office manger is pushing new patients to stay in a hotel together, which in a way is good but cost is 1,770 euros a month. Until now we were all staying in Airbnb’s throughout the city. My Airbnb is 520 euros a month.
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Thanks Nyc brother for the updates
I think it would not be a bad idea if patients help each other with clicking especially if all staying in one place. I mean if the technique is not hard so someone can cut some costs.
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Of course he told me maximum 9.5
Hi... How much you going to lengthen?
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Hi... How much you going to lengthen?
I’m taking it day by day but I want the maximum. With G-d’s Help I will achieve it.
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I’m taking it day by day but I want the maximum. With G-d’s Help I will achieve it.
How much did everything cost? Are you doing tibias, femurs or both?
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The nurses want 3,000 euros for the month. But don’t worry I didn’t pay that. They come to your apartment 2x a day and want 50 euros a session - 100 euros a day.
You need to click 15x in the day. So we break it into 2. 8 clicks in the morning and 7 in late afternoon.
wow...talk about more expenses aside from 48.000 euro for surgery itself. do you need the help every single day? or do you only call them when its difficult for you?
So I just heard Dr. G’s office manger is pushing new patients to stay in a hotel together, which in a way is good but cost is 1,770 euros a month. Until now we were all staying in Airbnb’s throughout the city. My Airbnb is 520 euros a month.
is this a new requirement or its totally your choice if you still want Air bnb?
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wow...talk about more expenses aside from 48.000 euro for surgery itself. do you need the help every single day? or do you only call them when its difficult for you?
is this a new requirement or its totally your choice if you still want Air bnb?
I payed them for 1 month. Almost everyone did. I have a family member with me so he clicks for me thank G-d.
I don’t know about requirement, but I think they are trying to push it. You can email them or wait till January - February when new patients come.
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I wanted to share I made a big mistake. I came with the mindset Im going to work my ass off and push myself. This is a WRONG mindset. It has just backfired on me. I overworked myself and just had pain, soreness, tension and difficulties. I have realized the hard way the key to doing this successfully is trying to relax my legs as much as possible and flexibility. (Trust in G-d is a major one for me and the most important) The way the clicks work is its a mechanism. The more loose, relaxed, flexible, skinny, the leg is the easier clicks are and in general this whole process. I can truly say Less is more in this regards. Taking it easy is so important. The PT people were always telling me to relax. We are not in the gym pumping Iron. I had to learn this the hard way.
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I wanted to share I made a big mistake. I came with the mindset Im going to work my ass off and push myself. This is a WRONG mindset. It has just backfired on me. I overworked myself and just had pain, soreness, tension and difficulties. I have realized the hard way the key to doing this successfully is trying to relax my legs as much as possible and flexibility. (Trust in G-d is a major one for me and the most important) The way the clicks work is its a mechanism. The more loose, relaxed, flexible, skinny, the leg is the easier clicks are and in general this whole process. I can truly say Less is more in this regards. Taking it easy is so important. The PT people were always telling me to relax. We are not in the gym pumping Iron. I had to learn this the hard way.
can PT help with clicking? maybe a patient can save money by letting them do clicking everytime visit the PT? :P
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PT does not help with clicking. It’s not their job and they don’t know how for the most part.
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oh, i see. how much have you lengthened so far? from other diaries it seems G nail lengthening is fast. are you hoping to get max 10 cm.?
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Update
So for the past two weeks Dr. G told all the patients to reduce to 11 clicks a day. 0.75mm a day. I think it’s great and definitely gave my muscles time to rest.
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Update
So for the past two weeks Dr. G told all the patients to reduce to 11 clicks a day. 0.75mm a day. I think it’s great and definitely gave my muscles time to rest.
He told all patients this? What is the reasoning? And aren't all the patients at different stages of distraction?
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Sorry.
I came here to Athens with 4 guys. I mean we didn’t know each other but our surgery was on the same day or day after, we were in hospital together, PT together etc. All of us are in about the same lengthening. So to us 4 he said to do 11 clicks for 2 weeks.
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Thanks Nyc brother for the updates
I think it would not be a bad idea if patients help each other with clicking especially if all staying in one place. I mean if the technique is not hard so someone can cut some costs.
That’s actually not a bad idea. Or if you still need to hire nurses at least they all come to the same place instead of running around the city. It’s saves time and cost.
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So unfortunately no one is clicking by themselves. There is one patient who just started being able to click by himself on his left leg. But this is 2 months after surgery. In general, thank G-d, 2 months after surgery everything gets much much better.
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I'll be watching this diary pretty closely; I'm planning on going with Dr. Giotikas or Guichet in 2023-2024 after I'm done with my tibial lengthening.
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Just want to share a tip for clicking, it is important to relax yourself first. You could stretch, cycle or even meditate before each clicking session. What ever works for you, to loosen the stiffness of your thigh.
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Yes of course, thanks for sharing. You are right, stretching and biking is supposed to help with clicking at least that’s what the doctor constantly tells us. For me personally I have found taking a really hot shower and aiming at legs right before clicks help me a lot to warm the muscles. So sometimes I shower 2-3 x a day. Also I kid you not when the clicks are difficult I pray to G-d to help me and He almost always does.
Trust me when the pain is rough some of the patients here started praying.
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Of course we knew relax was important, and we all biked or even took hot showers before clicking. However, there must be something we did wrong, cause NO ONE was able to click alone, whereas Guichet and Betz patients usually can do it. It would be interesting to share videos clicking to check what we can be improved in clicking technique.
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Of course we knew relax was important, and we all biked or even took hot showers before clicking. However, there must be something we did wrong, cause NO ONE was able to click alone, whereas Guichet and Betz patients usually can do it. It would be interesting to share videos clicking to check what we can be improved in clicking technique.
does Giotikas G-nail have some differences compared to guichet and betz? i saw a youtube video showing how to click which appears to be easy but not sure which nail this is. i wonder if its exactly the same maneuver with G-nail?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoikvCP12aE
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Ok guys good news. There is 1 patient who is clicking by himself and does it with no pain. He even did a video for me. But he is 2 months after surgery. I’m trying to do his way by so far can’t.
But thank G-d the clicks today were very easy for me. I give G-d all the credit because yesterday they were very difficult. I just woke up today feeling good. I did not do anything special or extra to make the legs feel better.
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does Giotikas G-nail have some differences compared to guichet and betz? i saw a youtube video showing how to click which appears to be easy but not sure which nail this is. i wonder if its exactly the same maneuver with G-nail?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoikvCP12aE
The mechanism is the same, so 100% we are doing something wrong. It's hard to understand until you have done the surgery, but it's not as easy as watching a video and doing it. Even a really mild change on the angle of the movement is really relevant to get the click or fail. As others are saying, no one in Greece has been consistently clicking alone, except apparently one guy who is doing it 2 months post surgery. I'd like to know at some point what were we doing wrong, just out of curiosity.
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Can you guys not just ask the doctor how it might be possibly wrong at clicking? It sounds very weird though since the doctor shall be aware that the others can click by themselves, which is not anything new.
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wondering about what karin123 said too. if it is known that only patients in Greece are having difficulties with the clicking what does Dr. G have to say about it?
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Great news guys. Finally thank G-d Almighty we found a way to click which is not painful!
Some patients clicks with different methods and in different angles. I don’t why why this is and honestly I don’t know why we can’t click ourselves. I’m just super grateful to G-d to find a clicking method that is not painful.
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Great news guys. Finally thank G-d Almighty we found a way to click which is not painful!
Some patients clicks with different methods and in different angles. I don’t why why this is and honestly I don’t know why we can’t click ourselves. I’m just super grateful to G-d to find a clicking method that is not painful.
Did patients find out or the medical staff did? Care to share a video?
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No man, unfortunately through lots of trial and error I found a method that works for me, I’m not saying it will work for other patients. But I will say the nurses really improved their techniques and clicking methods that make sure everyone clicks. I got a chance to meet lots of patients yesterday because we all had doctor appointments one after the other. I can tell you now that most patients have little pain clicking, which is great news. It’s usually the first click that can be a bit difficult.
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so really it’s good new and bad news. The good news is there are ways to click that are not painful! The bad news is you need a companion/someone/nurse to do it with you. At least here in Athens so far.
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How did the doctor explain about the other doctors' patients' clicking by themselves? why can't you? there must be an explanation though no matter what, no?
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Btw nyc how much have you lengthened now? Any issues with flexibility yet?you think 10cm goal still within reach? Thanks and well wishes for you.
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Doing well thank G-d. My flexibility is great again thank G-d. I did have severe tightness between 3.5CM to 5CM but thank G-d that passed. All is good now and all the G-nail patients that passed the 2 months mark have very little pain.
And yes I want to the maximum. G-d will help me!
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Overall I am very happy. I spoke to a few other patients and they said the same. One guy who was in the hospital with me at the same time is leaving on Friday.
It seems like once a person has the clicks figured out and they go easy everything is fine.
Its my own experience and its what I see. The patients who had easy clicking (but still needed someone to do if for them) are happy. Those who had difficulty clicking there was a lot of frustration and it really affects the entire mood and attitude.
The thing is you don’t know if you will have easy clicks or not until you actually do the surgery.
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hi Nyc brother. good to hear that other patients are doing fine with clicking. i hope you are too. how many hours you spend on stretching each day now that you have lengthened a lot?
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Same. I didn’t increase stretching, I just stick to my routine.
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All 3 of my friends who I was in the hospital with and PT together have officially stopped clicking.
They are all doing great and very happy. One already left 3 weeks ago and one is leaving tomorrow.
Unfortunately they stopped visiting this forum so I have to update for them lol.
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All 3 of my friends who I was in the hospital with and PT together have officially stopped clicking.
They are all doing great and very happy. One already left 3 weeks ago and one is leaving tomorrow.
Unfortunately they stopped visiting this forum so I have to update for them lol.
Muscle tightness may occur, but if it's done under 5cm, it's not hard to deal with!?
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How much Giotikas charges of nail removal? Thanks!
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Hey, that’s a great question.
Honestly, I’m not at that stage yet so I don’t even know.
Most of us are trying to focus on G-nail and recovery, removal of nail seems so far away ;)
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Hi NYC ,
Great updates as usual,,
a question though , now the price offered by giotikas is around 48K Euros, and it is mentioned in the website that this includes the PT during lengthening (so we are not paying to PT outside , right ?)
Also it mentioned nursing assistance in their affiliated hotels, so if I am getting this right should not they help with the clicking as part of the package that we are paying for ?
and if once you have time would you mind please mention how much budget we need to allow other than the 48k to complete the lengthening and what are things that are excluded from giotikas package and that we needed to consider ?
Thanks,,
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Hey Achieverr,
Great questions!
So Giotikas and his administration have decided to redesign the package a bit.
Yes PT is included and always has been.
The main change starting February is they want new patients to pay about €1,625 a month for hotel accommodations which will include food AND clicking services.
Until now living accommodations, food, clicks were the patients responsibility to arrange.
This change is for 2 reasons.
1. You see when we came we didn’t know we would need so much clicking help. We had to pay the nurses extra out of pocket to help. Now, many patients here come from wealthy backgrounds so they didn’t mind paying especially for getting quality service and comfort. If you had money would you not pay extra to getter more massages and clicking techniques that alleviate the pain? Of course you would. However there are some patients that are on a budget and they saw this as unexpected hidden fees. So they complained. [Please Remember you guys have way more information than we did when we came in late October. Today everyone knows that by Giotikas most patients need help with clicks.] Therefore they decided to revamp the package to make it all inclusive.
2. It makes “BJR” look more professional, like we are in some program and we are together. Plus the main aspect of patients being together can add tremendously to the support and encouragement of each other.
To reiterate, the biggest expense we had was paying for clicking services. Now that they will start including it, you will save money or at the least if not save money at least you won’t have “hidden fees”.
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Thanks for the update Nyc brother!
An all inclusive package for accommodation, food, and clicking services for €1,625 seems like a good deal. Do you know which hotel this would be that patients stay at?
I can't see any updates yet about this on the BJR website.
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It won’t be on the website.
When you email them they will tell you all this.
But yes I do know which hotel they are referring too.
“Montaza” Hotel.
https://montaza.gr/
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Hey Achieverr,
Great questions!
So Giotikas and his administration have decided to redesign the package a bit.
Yes PT is included and always has been.
The main change starting February is they want new patients to pay about €1,625 a month for hotel accommodations which will include food AND clicking services.
Until now living accommodations, food, clicks were the patients responsibility to arrange.
This change is for 2 reasons.
1. You see when we came we didn’t know we would need so much clicking help. We had to pay the nurses extra out of pocket to help. Now, many patients here come from wealthy backgrounds so they didn’t mind paying especially for getting quality service and comfort. If you had money would you not pay extra to getter more massages and clicking techniques that alleviate the pain? Of course you would. However there are some patients that are on a budget and they saw this as unexpected hidden fees. So they complained. [Please Remember you guys have way more information than we did when we came in late October. Today everyone knows that by Giotikas most patients need help with clicks.] Therefore they decided to revamp the package to make it all inclusive.
2. It makes “BJR” look more professional, like we are in some program and we are together. Plus the main aspect of patients being together can add tremendously to the support and encouragement of each other.
To reiterate, the biggest expense we had was paying for clicking services. Now that they will start including it, you will save money or at the least if not save money at least you won’t have “hidden fees”.
Thanks NYC,
yes this make much more sense now ,
Now I am considering him , count down started :P so the plan is to do the surgery within the first week of may and stay for a month after that .
do I need to start consultation now with Giotikas to agree how on moving forward , he has this 15 min online consultation should I sign up for that or just drop them an email , what do you think ?
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Send them an email.
They are very responsive.
“May” should definitely be enough time for them to schedule your surgery if you contact them now.
Do the 15 minute consultation, you have nothing to lose.
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@ NYC thanks for posting as always!
@ Achieverr. The online consultation is worth doing. Enable you to build a rapport with the surgeon and express your ideas/goals. Then you will be sent documents for you to review and return. Or if you’re based in London you can arrange an appointment with Dr Giotikas at 10 Harley Street for a paid assessment etc.
FYI Regarding the clicking as I understand (NYC do correct me if I’m wrong) depending on your LL goal even after a month you will most likely still require assistance with the clicking mechanism.
All the best
Stretch
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Yes everyone has clicking assistance even in month 2 and 3.
There is one patient here trying to click by himself.
He has days when he can get some clicks with lots of difficulty and some days he can’t. It’s a tough spot because not everyone has an extra few grand $$$ to pay a month for assistance.
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Thanks for updates nyc as always. How much did your friend who had surgery the same day but left early lengthen?
Good to know also about the package. By food and click service included this means you pay Dr Giotikas office the 1,600/mo and they will book the hotel for you and feed you 3x/day? That is a good deal, it works out to less than 60 Eur per night only
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Thanks for updates nyc as always. How much did your friend who had surgery the same day but left early lengthen?
Good to know also about the package. By food and click service included this means you pay Dr Giotikas office the 1,600/mo and they will book the hotel for you and feed you 3x/day? That is a good deal, it works out to less than 60 Eur per night only
Yes about the package. But food I think it’s just 2x a day.
My friends did 7CM
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oh, nice. 2x a day isn't bad either. maybe this offer will entice more patients to go with Dr G despite the clicking difficulties.
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Thanks for the information @Nyc brother!
How possible do you think it is to do much sightseeing around Athens with g-nail? Would this be an issue?
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Yes, you can do sightseeing a month after surgery.
But for most patients they focus more on their recovery and relaxation.
Patients go out sometimes on the weekend but it’s not something they do regularly.
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Hey guys,
I want to mention something really important I didn’t talk about before.
PT is crucial!!
I would never do the surgery and then leave after a week and then basically clicking and PT is on me. A huge part why I am here is because PT is included in the package. 4/7 days a week.
Dr. Giotikas is a amazing surgeon - top notch.
BUT aftercare is really the PT and nurses.
My PT person is amazing. I had problems with my IT bands, I had really bad hip pain for two weeks. She is constantly monitoring me. She made me work my ass off at PT to help me. I will forever be grateful to her.
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If we are on the topic of gratitude, I will add, I will always be grateful to the chief nurse who spent so much time trying to figure out a clicking technique that works for me and reduces my pain significantly. She massaged my legs a lot and I never felt rushed by her.
I could only click because of her and I truly mean that.
Thank you “M” !!
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thanks for that Nyc.
is PT person assigned to each patient and you stay with the same PT person the entire time you are in Athens?
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Good question.
Yea, you can say that.
I mean I guess you could ask to change if you really wanted too.
Happened to be I got the lady who is very good.
She is very in demand now lol.
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Hi nycbrother,
Recently know about your dairy. Just wanted to know, how is your walking after 2 months and a half after surgery?
Can you walk without crutches? And if you are able to, how is your gait at this stage?
Thanks and keep it going!
A.
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We just started walking without crutches thank G-d. But it’s just a few steps we do at PT. In general I am feeling amazing. PT worked me very hard the first two months and it’s paying off. Also I prepared for this surgery for 3 months by losing almost 20 kilos and stretching hard every day for 1 hour.
The more flexible you are the more easier this whole process is.
If you schedule the surgery Dr. G will send you some stretches to do.
In my opinion it’s not enough. I made sure to strecht way more and it has been such a help now.
But of course all the credit goes to G-d because even with my hard work, I truly believe it’s all up to Him.
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You had to lose 20 kilos? Were you overweight before surgery?
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We just started walking without crutches thank G-d. But it’s just a few steps we do at PT. In general I am feeling amazing. PT worked me very hard the first two months and it’s paying off. Also I prepared for this surgery for 3 months by losing almost 20 kilos and stretching hard every day for 1 hour.
The more flexible you are the more easier this whole process is.
If you schedule the surgery Dr. G will send you some stretches to do.
In my opinion it’s not enough. I made sure to strecht way more and it has been such a help now.
But of course all the credit goes to G-d because even with my hard work, I truly believe it’s all up to Him.
Hi Nyc , what do you mean just few steps ?
After almost 3 months you should be able to be little more mobile with a wb nail ..right?
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You had to lose 20 kilos? Were you overweight before surgery?
I was overweight. I slimmed down to 62 kilos
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Hi Nyc , what do you mean just few steps ?
After almost 3 months you should be able to be little more mobile with a wb nail ..right?
I’m still Lengthening so PT is very cautious with me. They don’t want me walking without crutches.
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I’m still Lengthening so PT is very cautious with me. They don’t want me walking without crutches.
Right ,sorry I forgot you wanted to max out the nail ;that makes sense then .
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I was overweight. I slimmed down to 62 kilos
That truly is dedication Nyc. With that discipline I have no doubt you will be successful in getting max length out of your G nail. Cheers
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Thank you canterk.
I personally bike and stretch minimum 3x a day. But not all patients do this, don’t worry, all my friends ended up great.
For some reason 3CM to 6.5CM was hard for me. I was very concerned.
However after 7CM thank G-d everything has been so easy for me.
I don’t know why this is. Just sharing my experience.
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Great News NYC ,
are you taking x-rays , would you mind sharing here
curious to see formation during lengthening
Not mean to discourage you, but read somewhere that if the clicks get easier then this is a sign that the bones are not catching up with the formation, hope this is not the case with you :)
Great man , keep it up
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hi NYC bro ,
Congratulations on completing the hardest part!
I want to ask you about the hotel. What do you think are the advantages of staying in the hotel（rather than airbnb）?
I'm going to do precice. If you don't need to click, will the package price change?
Living in the hotel or airbnb can be chosen by yourself?
When you live in the hotel, how to go to the PT center? Do you need to take a taxi?
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hi NYC bro ,
Congratulations on completing the hardest part!
I want to ask you about the hotel. What do you think are the advantages of staying in the hotel（rather than airbnb）?
I'm going to do precice. If you don't need to click, will the package price change?
Living in the hotel or airbnb can be chosen by yourself?
When you live in the hotel, how to go to the PT center? Do you need to take a taxi?
Not nyc but my opinion is if you are doing precice i dont think there is a benefit to booking the hotel instead of cheap airbnb. you get the daily nursing if you stay in their partner hotel and also 2x/day food but thats it I think. since you dont need help with clicking with precice better to live in airbnb if you can find it much cheaper than 60Eur per night. you still pay for the taxi on your own to get to PT. btw I think Dr G will start requiring new patients to live in the hotel for the first few weeks if Im not mistaken, can anyone confirm this.
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Great News NYC ,
are you taking x-rays , would you mind sharing here
curious to see formation during lengthening
Not mean to discourage you, but read somewhere that if the clicks get easier then this is a sign that the bones are not catching up with the formation, hope this is not the case with you :)
Great man , keep it up
LOL
We have suffered for two months with clicks always praying that it gets better, thank G-d it gets better and easy and that’s not a good sign 😂😂
We are all doing great. Doctor saw my x-rays yesterday and said it was amazing thank G-d.
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hi NYC bro ,
Congratulations on completing the hardest part!
I want to ask you about the hotel. What do you think are the advantages of staying in the hotel（rather than airbnb）?
I'm going to do precice. If you don't need to click, will the package price change?
Living in the hotel or airbnb can be chosen by yourself?
When you live in the hotel, how to go to the PT center? Do you need to take a taxi?
Hi!
So in regard to the hotel this is a new experiment they are trying with the patients coming in February. I don’t want to say anything because It’s not my experience.
We always take a taxi wherever we live to get to PT.
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LOL
We have suffered for two months with clicks always praying that it gets better, thank G-d it gets better and easy and that’s not a good sign 😂😂
We are all doing great. Doctor saw my x-rays yesterday and said it was amazing thank G-d.
Great to hear NYC,
where are you now in terms of lengthening and how much time remaining for the journey to end ?
how is the walking with increased lengthening , is the gait really noticeable ?
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I’m doing thank G-d.
I just bought a ticket back to America Feb. 2
Really excited.
My walking is improving every day. No problems thank G-d.
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when you are back home, can you show us a video of you walking if you dont mind?
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That's exciting! Does that mean you will have been in Greece more than 90 days? How does that work with visas?
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when you are back home, can you show us a video of you walking if you dont mind?
Yeah if u don't mind that would be fantastic
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Thank G-d for me from 7CM has been very easy whereas the beginning was difficult.
I know I said this was just my experience but it seems the same with all the other G-nail patients too. Once they hit 6CM it was easy for them.
I know everyone says the last few CM are the hardest but this has not been my experience.
Not arguing with anyone just sharing my story. That’s it.
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Nyc did you reach your 10 cm yet?
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Hey guys I just finished doing my clicks!
It feels such a relief to wake up and not have to do clicks.
I measure on Monday.
Wish me luck.
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Congratulations!!! I followed your diary since the beginning and wow you are finally done lengthening! Will they lock it somehow so you dont do accidental clicks when you get home?
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Hey man! Congratulations on your successful journey. Pumped to hear how much you lengthened and any advice you have for us?
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Congratulations!!! I followed your diary since the beginning and wow you are finally done lengthening! Will they lock it somehow so you dont do accidental clicks when you get home?
Yea man thanks. This whole operation has been a big success thank G-d.
We don’t need to do anything the bones consolidate. It’s very very hard almost impossible for me to accidentally click at this stage.
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Hey man! Congratulations on your successful journey. Pumped to hear how much you lengthened and any advice you have for us?
I took hot showers before the clicks 2x a day. Ice packs after the clicks. Biking to release tension after the clicks for 15 minutes. During clicks I listened to music and tried to read. I literally had quite a few times praying to G-d.
If you have nerve pain take 2 lyrica’s a day.
Everyone has their own journey. We all have different bodies and learn as we go.
But definitely do yourself a favor and be flexible. I stretched hard 1 hour a day for 3 months before surgery. Be flexible and lose. Lose weight if you need too.
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Hey guys,
I just did my final measurements. 9.6CM and 9.7CM.
Missing Accomplished.
All is good thank G-d.
I give G-d all the credit for the success of much surgery and recovery.
I wish you all the best in each of your journeys. 🙏🙏
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That is so amazing! Congrats! I'm glad you accomplished what you set out to do and it is inspiring! So what is your new official height now?
Do you have any pictures? Can you share your x rays?
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Wow!!! Congrats again! Pretty smooth sailing diary especially considering you did 9.6cm!!
Hope to see your xrays and also walking video if you're comfortable sharing those! Again congratulations and hope you consolidate fast!
Well wishes moving forward!
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This was very fine man,
Congrats
soon I am joining the club
would you mind reminding us which nail did you use 11 or 13 and if you got any x-rays in place ?
you are a hero bro :)
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Thanks guys,
Really appreciate it.
I used the 11cm nail. But it all depends on your bones.
Also Dr. G will not let everyone go to 9.6CM
It depends on proportions, flexibility, and ease of lengthening ect. He will tell some people to stop at 8.5CM
Remember everyone is different.
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Congrats on such a big increase! Did that take you about 4 months to lengthen?
Do you plan on lengthening your tibias too?
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Congrats on your journey and thanks for taking the time to write such a useful diary.
I actually did a bilateral femur surgery with Dr. G back in 2019. I achieved 8 cm of height gain (the max amount allowed for the Stryde nail). I second everything you write in your diary. Dr. Giotikas is a caring, compassionate, and VERY competent doctor. He also makes himself available to his patients, even years after they finish their procedures. Case in point, I am still in contact with Dr. G (BTW, I have had no complications and am very satisfied with the work he did on my femurs).
Question: Where is the physical therapy location these days? In 2019, patients did their PT at the Theseus Rehabilitation Center (https://www.theseusrehab.gr/en/)
Is there a new location for PT now? If so, can you please kindly let us know where that new location is, what it is called, and perhaps post a Google Maps link if it's not too much trouble? ;)
Thanks so much and best of luck in your journey!
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Congrats on your journey and thanks for taking the time to write such a useful diary.
I actually did a bilateral femur surgery with Dr. G back in 2019. I achieved 8 cm of height gain (the max amount allowed for the Stryde nail). I second everything you write in your diary. Dr. Giotikas is a caring, compassionate, and VERY competent doctor. He also makes himself available to his patients, even years after they finish their procedures. Case in point, I am still in contact with Dr. G (BTW, I have had no complications and am very satisfied with the work he did on my femurs).
Question: Where is the physical therapy location these days? In 2019, patients did their PT at the Theseus Rehabilitation Center (https://www.theseusrehab.gr/en/)
Is there a new location for PT now? If so, can you please kindly let us know where that new location is, what it is called, and perhaps post a Google Maps link if it's not too much trouble? ;)
Thanks so much and best of luck in your journey!
Hey, glad to hear you had a great experience with Dr. G too.
This is the new PT center.
Αλέξανδρος Κουτσογιάννης, 12, Orthodoxou Christianikis Enoseos 14, Peristeri 121 34, Greece
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Hey, glad to hear you had a great experience with Dr. G too.
This is the new PT center.
Αλέξανδρος Κουτσογιάννης, 12, Orthodoxou Christianikis Enoseos 14, Peristeri 121 34, Greece
Hi NYC, glad you doing good .
any chance you could provide a walking video ?
Very curious since you lengthened so much
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Thank you. I appreciate the prompt response. Is there a particular physical therapist there you really liked and would recommend?
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Thank you. I appreciate the prompt response. Is there a particular physical therapist there you really liked and would recommend?
Alliki is the best.
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Hey NYC - such a fascinating journey. Congratulations. I came on to the thread only 2 days ago and was trying to put together the timeline. Can you please share details of the timeline of your journey?
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Hey NYC - such a fascinating journey. Congratulations. I came on to the thread only 2 days ago and was trying to put together the timeline. Can you please share details of the timeline of your journey?
Sure.
Surgery on 10/27/2021
[First 2 months were hard with pain]
01/05/2022 First day clicks got extremely easier
01/29/2022 Finished Lengthening
02/02/2022 Came back to NYC
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Thanks for that. And what part of Athens did you stay in, if you don't mind me asking? Did you try to stay within a pretty quick (10-15 min) taxi ride to the PT center?
It looks like Dr. G is now recommending/ requiring his patients stay in one of their affiliate hotels (Athenian Montaza or Grand Hyatt Athens). That makes sense and I know he got his patients special rates with meals included, which is very cool. Staying there initially also takes away the stress of searching for an Airbnb right before or after the procedure (that's a real hassle- I remember having to do that and it really sucked).
But I also notice that those hotels are a bit far from the the Physical Therapy center you referenced (at least a 30 minute drive/ taxi ride, if not more). Not sure if that's a problem or if they mitigated for that somehow.
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Thanks very much. At what point were crutch-free?
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Nyc, can you drive now?
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How much Giotikas charges of nail removal? Thanks!
As of 2024-Mar-07, according to https://www.athensbjr.com/cost-pricing-of-cosmetic-limb-lengthening/ it is 4200 euros if he installed the nails. If the nails were installed by a different surgeon, then double.
Thanks for the update Nyc brother!
An all inclusive package for accommodation, food, and clicking services for €1,625 seems like a good deal. Do you know which hotel this would be that patients stay at?
I can't see any updates yet about this on the BJR website.
https://www.athensbjr.com/assessment-and-planning/#1586631262125-92d8c0de-f52b
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@doge
That seems right
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@Nyc brother , thank you for the diary!
I am planning to do exactly what you did: 9.5cm in Athens.
How many people were attempting to reach 9.5cm, and how many succeeded?
I think you said that there were 6 people that were using G-nail.
Did any of them have complications like hip-contracture or knee-contracture?
Again, thank you for this diary, and I hope that your new tibia-lengthening goes well. G*d bless
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@doge
The vast majority of patients do not do 9.5CM. The doctor said after me only 2-3 did it. What I have learned from my experience is every patient is different and wants different things. Some patients only want 5cm and to be out of Athens in 1 month to back to normal life. It seems the majority do 6-8cm. Be prepared mentally. Clicking is not easy at all.