Interesting input indeed.
I'm planning on getting it done at 23 years old, in the early summer of 2019 and planning taking a gap year for the fall semester to provide extra time for recovery (Mid May - Late December (Christmas). I'll be telling my family and friends that I'll be going on a backpacking trip in Europe for half a year and exploring the world since it's my last chance to do so before grad school and the corporate world. When I return taller, I would just say it's a late growth spurt, probably from all the exercise and hiking (or some altitude bs).
I would be content with 5 to 6cm going from 5'6.5 to around 5'9, which wouldn't be that drastic of a change, I assume? Plus I could also wear lifts the months before and then switch to flats after the surgery.
I would also be getting internal femurs so not much scarring and not too much lengthening to throw off proportions (my tibias and femurs look like they are almost the same size currently)---with Birkholtz.
I'm just afraid that I won't recover in time by Christmas if I get it done in May, and that my gait won't be normal when I return home.
As you see, I already have been formulating a plan for this lol, what do you think?