Hi all,
So I finally took the plunge and had my femur CLL surgery with Stryde done last week, Nov 14th with Dr M. I've been a lurker/poster of this forum for some time now, as I prepared for the CLL process. I have to give a HUGE thanks to all the posters on here, especially the ones that put up detailed diaries of their journies: LAGrowin, InFullStryde, Fallen774, PurushRottam, Lalbadshah, VerticalPush, BishopCheck, Movie etc. (sorry if I'm forgetting anyone!).
Extra special thanks to LAGrowin' who actually met me in person a few months ago and helped me get over my initial anxieties/concerns about recovery post-surgery. We have been in touch regularly since last week when I had my procedure done and it's been a massive help!
Stats5'5.5" (5 feet 5-and-a-half inches), mid-30s, slim/athletic build, about 150 lbs. I've been a regular gym goer for many years, putting in about 3-5 workouts week after week. About 45 days before surgery, when bending I could get my fingertips to barely within 3-4 inches of my toes. Intense stretching in the days leading up to the surgery made me get to a stage wherein I was able to touch my toes (albeit barely) the day before the operation. Hoping this stands me in good stead in the months ahead, but we'll see!
GoalI want to get to the 6.5 cm mark first, and then, depending on how I feel at that point, I'll decide how much further I can/want to push. I intend to stop at around the 7.5 cm mark as an upper limit.
Why CLL? And why now, as opposed to sooner/later?Mainly because I felt I had developed my inner personality nicely and the extra few inches would round me out. I'm based in the US (LA to be specific), and while we're not the tallest nation on the planet 5'5" is still noticeably below average here. Dating wise I've done alright given my physical stature, although I definitely noticed over the years how my taller friends had to put in less work for the same or greater success with women. I should add here that I have no delusions about an extra few inches miraculously and instantly improving anything in my life, but my view is that we should strive to improve ourselves incrementally in all aspects of our lives, and leave the rest be...
Some other factors that contributed:
1) A few months ago I finally completed my Master's degree, so had more time now to take on this surgery
2) I have a fully remote job for now, which is ideal - I can take a few weeks off post-surgery and then return to work from home. In fact the very next day after surgery, while still at the hospital, I was communicating about work-related stuff with my colleagues and the following week I've been able to work at 50% capacity already. I plan to return to work full time starting next week.
3) I'm in a much better financial position now to actually afford a caretaker, PT, etc. This simply would not have been possible in my 20s and I couldn't (and didn't want to) rely on my parents for financing, co-signing a loan etc etc.
4) Ideally I would've had this done in my early 20s, like some of the lucky younger guys here, but that just wasn't in the cards for me. I'm getting up there in years and want to cross things off my bucket list before I finally settle down and start a family.
By the way, for those with full-time in-office jobs contemplating CLL surgery, I would wholeheartedly echo InFullStryde's view that it will probably be at minimum 3-4 weeks before you can be sufficiently mobile to actually go into the office. But you'd have to lug in your lengthening device because of the scheduled lengthening sessions, and I'm not sure how you'd evade notice with it.
Why Dr. M?This was easy - he's local to me, has significant experience with this surgery, I've personally met two of his patients and the cost was better than all the other US based CLL doctors I'm aware of. (No offense to any of my international readers here but personally, I would never gamble with my health by having such a serious operation done anywhere outside a first world country with strictly enforced medical malpractice laws, insurance coverage etc. Point being - I definitely wanted this surgery done in the US and nowhere else.)
I already mentioned having met LAGrowin' - but many years ago (back in the old forum days), I was able to meet with a gentleman who had this surgery done with the Precise nail at the age of 49! Yes, he was 49 years old when he had this done and his starting height was the same as mine. Unfortunately he moved to another state and I lost touch with him, but at the time it showed me that as tough as this process is, it's still doable with the right mindset.
Financing the Surgery:I've had more than enough cash saved up to pay for it all upfront, but still opted to take a loan in the event the process took more time or some other emergency requiring cash reserves came up.
Support Structure:I am staying with my family. I currently have a caretaker was well since I don't want to burden them with running around after me - this individual has been spending about 10 hrs/day with me since I got home from the hospital. Additionally, I have a physical therapist (the same one that worked with Fallen774 for a bit, in fact!) that comes in every day.
Day of SurgeryNot much to report here that hasn't already been described thoroughly in the diaries of LAGrowin, InFullStryde, etc. I got there around 5:30 am. After a minor delay related to cleaning some necessary equipment, I was wheeled in to the surgery room. I was joking and laughing with the nurses and other medical staff when I was placed on the operating table and then boom! next thing I know I'm waking up in the short stay recovery area. Shortly thereafter I was wheeled into my own room.
The pain was noticeable and constant, but when motionless in bed, it was never more than about a 3-4 or so. I was given a steady dose of Norco every 4 hours but no other painkillers, with the exception of Dilautid on some occasions on my final day at the hospital. I found out later that this is a much weaker painkiller than those given to patients of Dr D, for instance. (VerticalPush and Lalbadshah's diaries suggest that Dr. D prescribes Oxy and Morphine during this stage).
There was 1 PT session attempted that day itself, which was extremely hard. Moving my legs even a little bit was super painful and I could barely stand up on my own. I found out later that this particular step would have been easier if I had learned to completely relax my legs when someone was attempting to move them. I was instead tensing up and resisting the movement, which was exacerbating the pain significantly.
Day 2PT tried to come in in the afternoon and I had to turn them away - pain when moving my legs was too much :-/ Later that day they tried again. This time they were able to get me off the bed and moving a bit. Other details - not much to report, just stayed in bed mostly, texted with friends/colleagues, and kept passing in and out of sleep. Pain level with steady Norcos was about 3-4, when laying still in bed.
At some point during this day the catheter was removed - I was a bit nervous, anticipating that it would be painful but as others have described in their diaries, it's more a weird feeling than a painful one. I had no issues peeing on my own soon after, for which I'm thankful.
The Norcos did make me constipated, and it wasn't until day 4 post op that I was able to finally relieve myself with the aid of a bedpan.
Day 3 - discharge from the hospitalFinal day at the hospital. I was still in pain when trying to move and even asked Dr. M if I could extend my stay at the hospital, lol. He said pain just isn't enough of a reason this would be allowed :-/ He also refused to prescribe stronger painkillers since he was concerned I'd build up too much tolerance for it making them less effective later, and this was definitely wise. As of this writing I consume about 0.5-1.5 Norcos a day and I'm doing ok. I do supplement now and then with Advil, but I'm guessing that as the lengthening continues I might have to up this dose a bit.
Day 4 - until nowEvery day has been getting gradually better, but progress has been slow. I am currently at the stage where I can walk around the house with my walker (slowly, taking small steps) and use the bathroom all on my own. I stretch and strengthen about 2 hours a day and that seems to be helping.
Reading the diaries of some other CLL patients, I feel the pace of progress can vary considerably across individuals - some reported being able to walk and use the bathroom the next day after surgery, while I didn't get to that stage until about 6-7 days post-op.
I picked up the lengthening device yesterday and have put in a few sessions already. Thankfully no (extra) pain to report - keeping fingers crossed that it stays that way in the days ahead!
Some useful tools/accessories I've been using:Some of these were actually mentioned by InFullStryde in his diary, but I'm posting them again here for those preparing for their surgery coming up:
Massage gun: (don't go too intense with these when using, be careful):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4B6VY4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Reacher/grabber:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00O47ILVA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Portable bidet if you don't already have one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K21X113/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1This was useful the few days I was using a bedpan. Luckily now I can use the restroom on my own so this is not as necessary, but might still come in handy if I go camping or traveling somewhere soon!
Toilet seat cushion:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CBA0JC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1Makes sitting on the toilet longer much more easier.
Arbonne pain relieving gel:
https://www.arbonne.com/Pws/homeoffice/store/AMUS/product/Herbal-Muscle-Massage-Pain-Relieving-Gel-2941,1556,272.aspxThis was recommended to me by LAGrowin' and it's been amazing. It heats up the area it's massaged into and provides solid relief.
I also have access to THC/CBD based products for pain relief, and I've used these a few times over the past few days as well, in very small doses.
Next up:I'll try to keep this diary updated with my progress as much as possible, and be available for questions in this thread and also via PM! I check the forum quite regularly.
Cheers!
Author
Topic: Femurs w/ Stryde - Dr. Mahboubian, Nov 2019 (Read 3056 times)