Limb Lengthening Forum

Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Patients Experiences => Topic started by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 07:51:37 AM

Title: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 07:51:37 AM
Hello old friends :)

I have my surgery scheduled on Jan 19, in about 2.5 weeks.
So far, I've been able to squat 185lbs ass to grass and touch my knuckles to the floor with my legs hyperextended.
Running straight feels natural, just that my hip flexors are very easily sore afterwards. I've noticed while playing basketball / volleyball that the sharp direction changes are a little bit harder.
Jumping feels natural, I can graze the rim at 9.75ft.

I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice for me to get ready for the nail removal (both mentally and physically).
I'd also be glad to send a video of me sprinting / doing an exercise if requested.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: ten on January 04, 2023, 07:57:16 AM
I'd also be glad to send a video of me sprinting / doing an exercise if requested.

requested :)
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 08:04:16 AM
Here's a squat. You could see the LL scars, although theyve faded quite a bit.
https://imgur.com/a/NFXGJGV

I did it barefoot, but usually in the gym I squat with heel elevated shoes for a more upright torso.
Sorry for the bad editing lol
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Kanye Western on January 04, 2023, 08:19:26 AM
Congrats on the recovery!

How has life been with the added 7cm in height? Do you have any current complications or are you more or less back to normal?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 08:28:58 AM
Thanks! I'm not sure how to answer your first question. I think my life feels fuller now, but I don't think it's because I'm now taller. At times I regret doing the surgery because I was very drawn to sports before, and didn't think I would miss competing in sports this much.

I've noticed that if I walk too little or don't do any leg exercises for a few days, my quads start to get really tight and painful. My physical therapist has told me that it is because I'm not recruiting my glutes at times and the quad gets strained because it carries all the weight.

Other than that, I think my life is completely back to normal. I'm in college, rushed a frat, I'm happy and prospering.
I sort of looked past LL mentally aswell, it's not on my mind much anymore until I recently scheduled my nail removal.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Kanye Western on January 04, 2023, 08:39:57 AM
Could you not do sports months after your consolidation?

I personally think once you remove the nail, you'll be fully back to normal!
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 08:46:08 AM
No I could, but not at a high level anymore. I used to be able to compete on a national level, but now I'm probably about as good as your average basketball player at a random 24 hour fitness.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Kanye Western on January 04, 2023, 09:07:20 AM
Maybe your views will change after your nail removal.

No I could, but not at a high level anymore. I used to be able to compete on a national level, but now I'm probably about as good as your average basketball player at a random 24 hour fitness.

It's great to see nevertheless you were able to walk quite early on, wishing you all the best!
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 09:11:26 AM
I don't think my views will change, considering I've been back to a normal life for quite some time now. I don't have to do anything that's LL related anymore, but I still think the same way. I will say that I'm very glad I did LL but I can't say I'd do it again if I magically shrunk.

Thank you for your wishes and I hope the best for you too :)
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Kanye Western on January 04, 2023, 09:40:15 AM
Interesting, so you don't have to regularly stretch anymore? How far into consolidation did you reduce your PT sessions?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 04, 2023, 09:05:16 PM
I only stretch before / after working out now.
I think I stopped doing PT around 4 months after consolidation.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 18, 2023, 10:03:09 PM
Met with Dr. M yesterday 1/17, everything was fine. Did my pre-surgery check up and  x-ray, doctor said I'm all good.
Honestly super stressed out and nervous right now.

By this time tomorrow I'll have been home and done with the surgery though. Long day ahead.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 19, 2023, 09:55:04 PM
NAILS ARE OUT!!! LETS fkING GOOOO
Felt phenomenal. Literally no pain even with the medication worn off. Only a sore butt.
Anesthesia makes it so I can't pee, but god I feel amazing surprisingly.
Walked to the bathroom without crutches right after they took off some bandages.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: hippo60 on January 19, 2023, 11:53:33 PM
That's amazing man! Your LL journey is pretty much over 8)
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: E Z on January 20, 2023, 12:26:14 AM
Bro! Did you have stryde/what did nail look like after removal? Any rust/comments from Dr. M about the nail itself?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 20, 2023, 01:27:39 AM
I had precice 2.2, no rust. I didn't get to see the nail, I think Dr. M had another operation right after mine.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 20, 2023, 01:28:48 AM
Thank you man! Very happy with how the process turned out. Hope the best for you!
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 21, 2023, 01:38:47 AM
Day 2
Lots of pain in the morning! Didn't think I'd need painkillers or that it would get worse, but had to take an oxycodone. Can still waddle unassisted, looks like a penguin when I walk because my glutes are so sore lol.

No pain whilst walking but laying down on my sides hurts my glutes a lot and in general just very stiff. Much better than the first surgery though.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: seattleperson on January 25, 2023, 08:53:05 AM
hey, how do you feel now, we are excited to see you back normal
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: hippo60 on January 25, 2023, 02:24:29 PM
Day 2
Lots of pain in the morning! Didn't think I'd need painkillers or that it would get worse, but had to take an oxycodone. Can still waddle unassisted, looks like a penguin when I walk because my glutes are so sore lol.

No pain whilst walking but laying down on my sides hurts my glutes a lot and in general just very stiff. Much better than the first surgery though.

Are you using crutches/walker too? Or you're just mostly staying home for now?
Also, did you get more oxycodone / other painkillers after the surgery?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 26, 2023, 06:17:51 AM
Hey! I was on the walker the first day I came home, but only for like 10 minutes, other than that I did not move around much. I've been off crutches and the walker ever since, and now I'm only sore when I walk. No soreness when I don't use my legs. Gait is almost completely gone too, doing really well.

If you guys do removals make sure you aren't allergic to the bandages they use, I found out I'm allergic to them and they are extremely itchy and gave me rashes.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 26, 2023, 06:23:01 AM
Are you using crutches/walker too? Or you're just mostly staying home for now?
Also, did you get more oxycodone / other painkillers after the surgery?

I got prescribed a bottle of hydrocodone, but I literally took two pills. The first night, and the second night, and haven't had anything since. I don't think I needed it the second night I just ran out of tylenol.
I'm decently active, but nothing that puts stress on my femurs. Walking around a lot, have been to the gym 3 times (upper body only for now).

I'm debating working out my legs, on some exercises that doesn't stress the femurs. I'm thinking machine leg extensions, lying hamstring curls. Wondering if anyone has input on this, I just don't want to lose too much muscle.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: hippo60 on January 26, 2023, 03:07:36 PM
I'm debating working out my legs, on some exercises that doesn't stress the femurs. I'm thinking machine leg extensions, lying hamstring curls. Wondering if anyone has input on this, I just don't want to lose too much muscle.

What did the doctor tell you? I thought you can get back to training in a few weeks no? You won't lose that much muscle over 1-2 weeks, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on January 27, 2023, 05:56:47 PM
I got my stitches removed just now, and he said I can workout with weights again. I specifically asked about something that puts stress on the femurs, like a leg press and he said it was fine.

Since he said no running, jumping for 3 months I figured weights were out of the question aswell, hence why I was worried about losing muscle over the 3 month period
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: hippo60 on January 27, 2023, 10:48:34 PM
Since he said no running, jumping for 3 months I figured weights were out of the question aswell, hence why I was worried about losing muscle over the 3 month period

That's good news then! What was it like after the first surgery as well? You started lifting weights before running and jumping as well, no?
Let us know how it goes  8)
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: SpeedDialer on January 29, 2023, 12:21:51 AM
Congrats!
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: ab608 on February 17, 2023, 04:14:39 AM
hey! did you avoid climbing stairs in the first week / when did you start using stairs regularly?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Yau on April 13, 2023, 09:55:38 AM
Any update?
How about your athletes ability now?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Movie on April 14, 2023, 01:13:05 AM
nice squats! life feels much better without the rods in
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: ikocak on May 15, 2023, 01:09:13 PM
It's great to read some successful stories here  :) How is the walking and running so far?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: akali on May 16, 2023, 02:56:33 PM
I want to see the same squad after the nail removal!!! It would be so cool
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: sphenopetroclival on May 20, 2023, 03:10:51 PM
If you have recent imaging data please put it at this thread. Redact any information that could be used to dox you.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on July 06, 2023, 09:45:38 PM
Great! I can squat 315lbs with the same depth now. Feels absolutely like normal. Athleticisim is a bit worse in terms of coordination and speed, but I am definitely a lot more athletic than the average male still.
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: Stubborn Knucklehead on July 07, 2023, 11:44:21 AM
Great! I can squat 315lbs with the same depth now. Feels absolutely like normal. Athleticisim is a bit worse in terms of coordination and speed, but I am definitely a lot more athletic than the average male still.

Hey man glad to see you’ve recovered so well. Do you think that if you were very determined to train to regain your athleticism, you could come back to 90% - 95% of where you were pre-surgery? Or is it just too much of a hassle at this point more than it being impossible to do so with the right treatment and training?
Title: Re: Nail Removal with Dr. M Jan 19
Post by: racecarworm on July 07, 2023, 08:35:09 PM
If I was determined, yeah. Like 2 hours of plyometric / explosive training each day for a year straight with proper nutrition I would be able to dunk a basketball. Probably about 95% athleticisim, you just get used to it. More simple movements like say, if I just wanted to do a 100m sprint it would be a lot easier to get to. It’s also been a good amount of time since my nail removal though, so if you add the recovery time in total it might take a while but definitely possible.