Hi guys. I recently am interested in doing LL and have been doing research on this forum.
Anyway, my plan is to do 6cm in my Tibia with LON (currently 163cm) concurrently with fixing a slight valgus of my legs.
At first I plan to do it with Dr. Dong Hoon Lee in Korea since he seems to be one of the best out there, but I can't seem to contact them (may be cuz of covid ?), so I consider doing it locally in my country. Although the doctor here might not be as experienced as Dr. Lee who has done over 1000+ cases, it's cheaper and I have family who can take care of me here plus I don't have to pay for accommodation (which can be ridiculously expensive)
From my research, I found only 1 doctor who practice LL in my country. It's in a JCI accredited hospital and he is also in the doctor directory too but I don't think anyone here have gone with him(I'm omitting his name for now). I went to consult with him and he seems to be quite nice and calm to my arrays of questions bolting at him. He told me he has done CLL for about 200 cases already. Is this consider enough and safe to assume that he's experienced?
He told me that to minimize scarring, his technique will only use External fixator where it's only needed and I will only have 8 scars including incision for each leg, so I want to ask you guys how many scars do you have for each leg in total after LL with LON? He told me because I also want to fix slight valgus deformity, he will cut my tibia at a relatively higher place than usual which shouldn't matter where the lengthening takes place as it can achieve the same height goal. Anyway my real concern is that he won't allow me to stand nor walk (even with walker) for up to 8 months, depending on my condition. I find this quite shocking as I have read bunch of patients experiences here who did LON and it seems everyone can start practicing/exercise by walking or standing very early after the operation. He won't allow this, and that I should always move in a wheel chair all the time which I find it quite strange. Although I can exercise by stretching, but from the looks of it I might be allowed to start walking with walker or even stand only after may be 5-6 months. This is quite a big deal to me, because I can't imagine being bedridden for that long. Not sure if it has to do with his technique to minimize scar. I'm thinking may be I could secretly walk a little (to go to toilet etc.) without telling him lol but I'm scared to go against his instruction.
Thanks for reading my long paragraph. What are your thoughts. Any advice is appreciated.