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Author Topic: Anxiety over LL surgery  (Read 1439 times)

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hotkey

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Anxiety over LL surgery
« on: June 12, 2024, 10:47:58 PM »

Female LL surgery prospect here. I've read a lot of anecdotes here of female patients who seem to turn out fine, and also anecdotes of things that went wrong.

Things I have researched and found so far that I should do:

1. Do internal fixation (at least for femur)
2. Stryde nail, unless it's too big for me. Doctor should be able to determine.
3. Stay in first world countries

Current age: early 30s
Current height: 155
Weight: 106lb
Goal height: Ideally male average height in the US but that's probably stretching it. Realistically, at least taller than average female height (166cm). So at least 4 inches. 2 inches on femur, 2 inches in tibia. Doctor might recommend another measurement depending on my proportions though.

Doctors I am looking at: paley and rozbruch
Outside of the west: lee dong hoon (hoping he works on Korean locals too and isn't the type to only go for medical tourists)

I am worried that since LL isn't really done on women, it will be more risky for me. Sometimes I think I will need to go with someone who does LL for kids. For example the diameter of the nails or the metal implant itself being too big for me when it was okay for the male patients that they were clinically tested on as I have smaller bones especially as small woman (and it does matter, as a nonwhite). Like a nail diameter that is ok for a short guy will end up shattering my bones or some bull . I am worried that nonwhite patients might be neglected more in medical settings and as someone who doesn't have family or friends to notice if something happens to me, I am more vulnerable to being mistreated or abused. I saw that post about a Japanese patient being strangled by some random clerk in a Korean clinic and his bones snapped so he has to recover for longer, for example. fk that.

Another is there is no guarantee that the bones will fuse. What if they don't?

To me it's either giving this a shot or deleting myself. And if I become a cripple in a wheelchair after surgery, I can pull a Clayton Atreus.
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2024, 12:54:21 AM »

If you are from Korea, then Donghoon will probably be the better choice.  He's basically one of the top doctors in this field and I heard around that the procedure is usually around 20 million KR Won cheaper for locals compared to out of country.  He has a cost sheet for locals Koreans, Japan, and US I think.  If you see Donghoon's website, he does have a few women LL patients that you can base on.  Your concern on the nail size should be fine as if the doctor is good enough, he'll tell you the width of your bone and if a certain type of fixation will work.  I think the abuse case was just that one clerk who did it to that patient from what I read and asked him btw.

If the bones don't fuse, the doctors can treat the nonunion.
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hotkey

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2024, 01:13:22 AM »

I am not from Korea, but I heard that the genuine and good surgeons in Korea are the ones that the locals know about and go to, while the surgeons who try to advertise only to westerners tend to be shady or exploitative (with plastic surgeries in general). However I am ethnically Korean and speak a bit of the language myself and can stay there comfortably for a while (and perhaps cheaper than the US).

I heard that Dr Paley is the best and have worked on many small Chinese female patients so he seems like a good option too. But I wonder if Donghoon will be more familiar with smaller statures and taking care of Asian patients (for example I feel like a lot of medical services and standards in the US don't fit Asian needs and a lot of health issues got overlooked or I sustained bad injuries and side effects from medical treatments in the US even something simple like a pap smear, and my prediabetes and insulin resistance was overlooked for years because I was "not fat" and I was "normal" BMI, which doesn't work for Asians as we can have diabetic issues at lower BMIs).

I have family members in Korea but honestly I don't trust them to not abuse me or possibly even intentionally try to cripple me when I am at my most vulnerable. Does Donghoon include physical therapy into his costs? I like that Dr Paley makes physical therapy mandatory because it shows he ensures his patients get the care they need instead of just grabbing their money and throwing them out the door to fend for themselves, and it also protects his own efforts into the clients and his reputation.
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2024, 04:24:08 AM »

I see.  If you are ethnically Korean and speak it, I think you should be fine.  Also, Donghoon has learned from Paley and has been doing limb lengthening for over 20 years and is considered the second best in this specialty.  There is a very low chance that anything like the Dr. Chung incident will happen to you.

Yes, physical therapy is included, and I believe the reason why all of Donghoon's patients have good recovery is because he has great PT helpers.  He also has hydrotherapy but that's extra cost if you want.  People have been saying it's very beneficial for the recovery process however because you can actually walk underwater.

Just curious, if you choose to do LL with Donghoon, will you do it in the near future?  I was also considering doing quad with him once I save up enough.


(Ep 1)
(Ep 2)
Just a few videos showing Donghoon's women patients.
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Beemer m3

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2024, 06:51:01 AM »

i see u did some research on this. i heard precice max has a wider nail and may not fit a typical asian because their bones have a smaller radius. precice 2.2 on the other hand may have a a smaller nail that can fit. im not too sure i just watch the video about it where dr dong hoon lee explained it. another topic u mention was that a person was at a clinic and the patients were harassed by the PT or caretaker. that may happen overseas but less likely in america. because ur basically by urself in ur own hotel. while u can hire a caretaker of some sort. overseas its mostly a walk in resort and everything is there while in america u have to put pieces together. theres less chance of u getting harassed of some kind... u mention quadrilateral lengthening you can gain 6 cm on the femurs and 5 cm on the tibias safe limits but not max limit. with alot of patience and PT u can gain alot. its going to be a difficult road ahead but it will be worth it.

i wonder why women dont do these alot. i guess its not something they need.
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before 168cm current 173.5 cm
ilizarov tibia
sept 2023

goal 2025-26 precice max femur

Omar

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #5 on: June 13, 2024, 08:37:55 AM »

Hi Beemer m3, how are you since your lengthening procedure? I also want to do a 5.5 cm lengthening of the tibia, but I'm not sure how safe the procedure is. How long did it take you to walk again after the surgery? Thanks in advance for your response.
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hotkey

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2024, 02:49:24 AM »

thanks for the info and videos iwillgettaller. I will likely opt for hydrotherapy if I go with dr lee

I am not sure when I will do it, but I am hoping to do it within 2 years. I need to save up too, don't we all? Most of us don't have 200k laying around. But I also need to be able to take time off work, get permission from some people close to me, and see if I get accepted for this job I am applying for (which delays my timeline a bit). I also plan on not telling anyone I did this surgery and ghosting most people in my life including family, so I will have to be ready for that.

I agree beemer m3, it will be a difficult road but I rather give this a shot if the choice is between this versus deleting myself. I want to live. You only live once. I want to be comfortable in my own body and be closer to how I see myself. Also love your avatar lol I love jack hanma
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2024, 06:24:38 AM »

yes of course, just check out his youtube channel for more videos and information.  Cyborg4Life also has a lot of informational videos about this procedure and topics related to it.

I see, I was also aiming for a time goal like that but I'm not sure how I'll do it with schooling as I can't just take a year off in the middle of my degree or something you know.  But at the same time, I want to do it in that time period where being taller will be more useful if you can say.  I feel like you won't have to ghost everyone (in my opinion of course) as there are many excuses you can have like fixing spinal problems as rehab for those surgeries take a very long time, and you can say the straightening made you a few inches taller.  That's just an example, as Cyborg4Life has more information on that info if you want too.

I agree too, maximum two years of hard work and pain for an easier rest of your life is way more worth it even if people may think you're crazy LOL
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hotkey

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2024, 12:42:23 PM »

yes of course, just check out his youtube channel for more videos and information.  Cyborg4Life also has a lot of informational videos about this procedure and topics related to it.

I see, I was also aiming for a time goal like that but I'm not sure how I'll do it with schooling as I can't just take a year off in the middle of my degree or something you know.  But at the same time, I want to do it in that time period where being taller will be more useful if you can say.  I feel like you won't have to ghost everyone (in my opinion of course) as there are many excuses you can have like fixing spinal problems as rehab for those surgeries take a very long time, and you can say the straightening made you a few inches taller.  That's just an example, as Cyborg4Life has more information on that info if you want too.

I agree too, maximum two years of hard work and pain for an easier rest of your life is way more worth it even if people may think you're crazy LOL

cyborg4life's channel is one of the sources that reassured me that LL surgery isn't a total quack job and isn't as dangerous as people make it out to be. Even BBL is more dangerous than height surgery, which many women do these days.

Can you switch to an accredited online school? If you're majoring in something where networking with people and school name doesn't matter as much as something like law or business, then it would be a good idea to do height surgery and then do online school while recovering. WGU is a good school if you're majoring in STEM or finance, for example.

Your current school might have remote options as well though you will be missing out on the social aspects of brick and mortar school. But then if you're so short that you're struggling with socializing with women or getting respect from other men, and this is already hurting your reputation, you're not missing out on much by just doing height surgery NOW and switching to online school (at least you'll get a degree that checks off boxes for jobs). By the time you finish school, you'll be recovered for most part and can start fresh at your first job where you start off taller and get height advantages at work from the getgo.

Anyway, on my end, I am planning on doing Emsculpt (Protocol 2) to build up my muscles on top of already working out. Don't having muscles before the surgery help with the recovery and giving them more "mass" to work with as they stretch out? Tight muscles are actually weak muscles, and big strong muscles are actually more flexible than muscles with low mass. And I won't be able to work out much during recovery and will likely atrophy, so getting that extra help with Emsculpt should be a good prep
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2024, 09:21:29 PM »

yeah this forum and cyborg4life definitely gave me a lot of information in this surgery. hopefully prices for precise get cheaper as precise max and newer nails come out in the future though.

Nah its not an option for me. I checked the classes and things and the college doesn't offer any online classes for the field I'm aiming for (dentistry).  yeah I guess its my fault im short because I messed up sleep schedule during covid by sleeping at like 5am during puberty ☠.  that's the main reason but of course theres other reasons like respect in society and whatnot. its wtv tho ill do what I can do to get to the predicted height i was told

Yeah I should also start stretching too because my leg muscles are big but very tight too.  consistent stretching for a few years should help me lengthen more as my body will be able to handle the lengthening
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PleaseComeVisitMeDawg

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #10 on: June 17, 2024, 02:53:29 AM »

Nah its not an option for me. I checked the classes and things and the college doesn't offer any online classes for the field I'm aiming for (dentistry).  yeah I guess its my fault im short because I messed up sleep schedule during covid by sleeping at like 5am during puberty ☠.  that's the main reason but of course theres other reasons like respect in society and whatnot. its wtv tho ill do what I can do to get to the predicted height i was told

In my opinion, trying to get this done while still being in school is quite ambitious.

I plan on doing this once I graduate, work, save up money for 2-3 years, and then get the surgery.

But I know how you feel. Most of us want to get this over with and walk out as new people ASAP.
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2024, 07:18:50 AM »

In my opinion, trying to get this done while still being in school is quite ambitious.

I plan on doing this once I graduate, work, save up money for 2-3 years, and then get the surgery.

But I know how you feel. Most of us want to get this over with and walk out as new people ASAP.

yeah I'll probably end up doing it late 20s which is not really good but it is what it is ig.  unless i squeeze maybe femur during one of my summer breaks because they're around 3 months long.  but ill need to have enough money saved up
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Beemer m3

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #12 on: June 17, 2024, 08:57:55 AM »

i did my first lengthening last year. i got it out of the way when i was the less busiest in my life. to think about it i should of done it earlier but i was such a busy guy handling a business. after my first im really thinking about my 2nd and what it will take because its another surgery i have to do . the anxiety is not like before but i still want it. good luck to u . hopefully u will have ur money well spent because they are the most expensive ones in the US.
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before 168cm current 173.5 cm
ilizarov tibia
sept 2023

goal 2025-26 precice max femur

hotkey

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #13 on: June 17, 2024, 03:11:56 PM »

i did my first lengthening last year. i got it out of the way when i was the less busiest in my life. to think about it i should of done it earlier but i was such a busy guy handling a business. after my first im really thinking about my 2nd and what it will take because its another surgery i have to do . the anxiety is not like before but i still want it. good luck to u . hopefully u will have ur money well spent because they are the most expensive ones in the US.

I think it was smart to get your ducks in row financially and waiting a few years was good because you would have better technology to work with the longer you wait.

I wish I was able to do this like 10 years ago and maybe my life would've turned out differently, but then technology wasn't as good back then, riskier and less researched especially for female patients, and I didn't have the money I have now. My net worth was only like 10k back then and no real job but now I have a paid off car, college degree, and some assets that it wouldn't destroy me financially.

I am debating between Dr Paley or Dr Donghoon Lee, doing it in the US seems safer in that I know the language and familiarity with the US amenities though I worry how good Dr Paley is with small Asian female patients, while in Korea there is a language barrier and I don't feel safe having my immediate family around and rather not have them find out where I am staying, but I am hoping that a Korean doctor with Korean patients will be more familiar with working with our bodies. I am sure they're both good though.

I am also debating whether I want to start with tibia or start with femur if I just had to pick one (at least for now), I guess I will figure it out during a consultation.
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iwillgettaller

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #14 on: June 17, 2024, 08:40:34 PM »

I think it was smart to get your ducks in row financially and waiting a few years was good because you would have better technology to work with the longer you wait.

I wish I was able to do this like 10 years ago and maybe my life would've turned out differently, but then technology wasn't as good back then, riskier and less researched especially for female patients, and I didn't have the money I have now. My net worth was only like 10k back then and no real job but now I have a paid off car, college degree, and some assets that it wouldn't destroy me financially.

I am debating between Dr Paley or Dr Donghoon Lee, doing it in the US seems safer in that I know the language and familiarity with the US amenities though I worry how good Dr Paley is with small Asian female patients, while in Korea there is a language barrier and I don't feel safe having my immediate family around and rather not have them find out where I am staying, but I am hoping that a Korean doctor with Korean patients will be more familiar with working with our bodies. I am sure they're both good though.

I am also debating whether I want to start with tibia or start with femur if I just had to pick one (at least for now), I guess I will figure it out during a consultation.

If you do anything except LON on femur, you should do that first.  You can get the max safe length (8cm) easier than tibia, and its easier to rehab
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AnotherLLer

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #15 on: June 17, 2024, 09:55:00 PM »

Except she will look very bad with 8 cm femur first unless her tibia:femur ratio is abnormally high.

IMO, 4-6 cm tibia LL is preferred for the 1st LL. Femur is optional and can be done later if one wishes more height but more importantly, better proportions between tibia and femur.
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hotkey

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Re: Anxiety over LL surgery
« Reply #16 on: June 18, 2024, 03:47:03 AM »

Except she will look very bad with 8 cm femur first unless her tibia:femur ratio is abnormally high.

IMO, 4-6 cm tibia LL is preferred for the 1st LL. Femur is optional and can be done later if one wishes more height but more importantly, better proportions between tibia and femur.

8cm longer on the femur alone is gonna look ridiculous especially on a short woman like me and might cause issues due to imbalance. That is if I can even get to 8cm lengthening on the femur, it's pushing it for someone starting at my height and with thinner bones (female).

I heard that elongated tibia looks better than elongated femur alone if you had normal proportions before. But apparently it's more painful and I might have to do external fixators, and is riskier than femur operation. If you have relatively short femurs then of course femur first.

I guess I can't really know until I get a consultation.
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