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[taller_in_Kiev]

Once again, to reiterate, there are 4 phases to limb lengthening: Preparation, Surgery, Lengthening and Strengthening.

I cannot stress the importance of the first phase. I've seen patients come in to LL having skipped the first phase. Their experience will usually be marred with all kinds of difficulties and in some cases, disastrous outcomes.  The doctor only helps you with the second phase, the other 3 are up to you. A lot of people seem to think they will save up, settle on a doctor and location and then put their feet up and expect to come out the other end with their dream height. I am sorry to disappoint, but that's not how it works.  A lot of the hard work has to come from you.

For anyone considering LL, please spend a good couple of months eating well, spending time in gym, getting stronger, fitter, leaner and more flexible. Here are a couple of leg/hip stretching videos, but there are many more, just search youtube. Wishing everyone well.

[Jim_dabarber]

Great post taller_in_kiev! You are absolutely right. Self discipline is very important in LL.

[taller_in_Kiev]

@Jim_dabarber. Thank you!

Just to give some idea of time-frames for each phase:

Phase 1 Preparation - Minimum 2-3 months. Longer if you are seriously lacking in terms of fitness and flexibility.

Phase 2 Surgery. Depends on doctor and method. But for internal bilateral on femurs as in my case (and with my doctor), surgery is done one leg at a time, a couple of weeks apart. Clicking will therefore start sooner on the first operated leg, but the second leg will gradually catch up.

Phase 3 Lengthening.  Depends how much you want to lengthen, but typically around 3 months based on 1mm growth per day or around 3cm per month.  Typical for someone aiming at around a 3 inch gain on their femurs. During this time, you will continue doing exercise, physio, massages, hot baths etc.  Best to keep as active as possible and walk with crutches, put weight on your legs. Also do upper body exercises.  Best to go to a gym for motivation and all the better if you have an LL buddy to go with.  For those of you thinking you can return to your job or studies during this phase, please think again. This is the most critical phase and it is important to set time aside where you're only concentrating on this.

Phase 4 Strengthening. Your LL journey will continue when you return home, assuming you had your surgery abroad or in another city. Let's face it, for most of us, there isn't exactly an LL doctor down the local high street.  The length of this phase very much depends on the patient, but it is at least a couple of years until the bone fully consolidates/is strong enough to support your weight without any devices.  At which point, it is time for the final surgery to have the metal removed. It should only get better from here as you continue to strengthen and your bones fully heals and fills up any holes from the nails.

General advice. Take things slowly. Play it by ear, don't go for too much at one, listen to your body. And certainly don't take any unnecessary risks such as playing contact sports sooner than you need to, if at all!