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[Descreteuser]

•   Monday 25th to Saturday 30th May – Probably the most stressful week since being in the hospital 2 ½ months ago. Ive found that the hardest part of this process is mental stress more than physical stress. All week I had that bloody bump on my mind. I made the decision that I was going to have it fixed even though it could cause other complications.
•   Sunday 31st May – After 2 sleepless nights of trying to make a decision I decided to have the doctor use his other technique to try and push the bone back in. He came around and attached another bar to my device which would be attached to the top pins, and lever them down to push the bone back in. This method made much more sense and I was more hopeful that it would work. He had to push down on the bump at the same time and I could feel it being moved back in. I was asked to tighten a bolt while he got it in the right position. Unfortunately the pins weren’t long enough to get enough leverage which meant the bump returned to where it was. The solution was to add extensions to the pins to provide more leverage. The doctor told me I would have to wait a few days for it to be made up. The bump on my leg was temporarily worse than before which caused more stress. Also after he left I noticed a clicking sound in my leg which made me worry.

[Descreteuser]

•   Monday 1st June – The clicking sound kept me up all night wondering what it was. Every time I moved my leg I felt clicking. It wasn’t painful but I worried that it might be something serious. I rang the doctor about it as I couldn’t get it off my bloody mind. He came visited me and told me that it was nothing to worry about. It turned out to be coming from the device and not my leg. While the doctor was there he said there was another way to fix my alignment manually. As the sight of the bump was driving me crazy I thought, stuff it lets do it. The doctor ensured me that as long as I stay still and relaxed everything will be fine. I put my leg on a pillow and he loosened the device from the pin and readjusted the device. He tightened the device to the top pins and pushed the bar down. In turn the top fragment of my tibia was pushed down and pushed back into alignment and tightened to the bottom pins. The bump was now gone. As I lost a few mm of length during the correction he immediately lengthened it back to match my right leg. It was big sense of relief.
•   Tuesday 2nd June – Now that I had my legs where I wanted them, I felt I could concentrate purely on my recovery. I decided to start using the stationary bike which I had purchased earlier from the previous patient. The bike is a great way to strengthen the legs and improve movement in the joints. Strengthening your legs will make walking much easier. At this stage I decided to do 15 minutes a day. I continued to stretch approx 30 minutes a day to improve flexibility in my knee joints, ankles and hamstrings as well as strengthening my calves with calf raises. Walking with walker in hotel room approx 15 minutes a day at this stage.
•   Wednesday 3rd June – Walking today with walker was better than ever. For the first time it wasn’t exhausting. My legs were feeling stronger already and gave me confidence that I was on my way to a speedy recovery.
•   Saturday 6th June – I decided to go for a walk with the walker outside for the first time. Very hot day. Was good to get out and get fresh air. I walked to a park about 500m away and sat there for a while and enjoyed getting some vitamin c from the sun. I had to cross a few roads on the way, which I was nervous about, and was quite slow but cars were understanding and were patient. Very rarely had I enjoyed sunshine for the past 4 months. It kind of made me feel normal again rather than just being locked inside my hotel room all day. I decided at this stage just to walk outside once or twice a week as it is a bit dangerous.

[ewf]

Hello Descreteuser,

It's really good to hear that you were able to get your misalignment corrected with relative ease. The last few posts before this made the Mitkovic monorail seem a little too risky or just off-putting for CLL purposes to say the least.

After following your journey this past month, I've been strongly considering doing tibia LL and go with Dr Mitkovic if at all possible. I'm just a little concerned that 5-6 cm on the monorail may be asking for trouble.

I couldn't seem to find any reference as to your starting height before LL.

I understand that Dr Mitkovic is a really busy guy who mostly deals with non CLL patients, but I'm curious to know just how long it took you to secure an appointment with him? How long does it typically take to secure an appointment once you have expressed an interest to go through with the surgery?

Please keep us posted on your progress:D

[Descreteuser]

Hello Descreteuser,

It's really good to hear that you were able to get your misalignment corrected with relative ease. The last few posts before this made the Mitkovic monorail seem a little too risky or just off-putting for CLL purposes to say the least.

After following your journey this past month, I've been strongly considering doing tibia LL and go with Dr Mitkovic if at all possible. I'm just a little concerned that 5-6 cm on the monorail may be asking for trouble.

I couldn't seem to find any reference as to your starting height before LL.
 
I understand that Dr Mitkovic is a really busy guy who mostly deals with non CLL patients, but I'm curious to know just how long it took you to secure an appointment with him? How long does it typically take to secure an appointment once you have expressed an interest to go through with the surgery?

Please keep us posted on your progress:D

6cm is the absolute max that id suggest anyone do with this device.. if i could do it all over again with what i know now things would have been alot smoother. i was 181cm before and am now 185cm. i first contacted him in 2011 but i kept delaying it due to financial situations.. i contacted him on and off for the next few years but i kept backing out and kind of forgot about it for a while. i contacted him again half way through 2014 and this time i had my financial situation completely sorted and was definite on following through this time.. i booked and began my journey on february 14th.. once u talk with him and he knows ur goals are reasonable and that u r serious then he accepts you and you can organise a date pretty soon.

[microman]

kind of hard to decide between mitkovic or barinov using ilazarov

what would you think Descreteuser, would you say the risk of misalingment isn't worth it and to stick with barinov, or is there some reason to choose mitkovic over barinov.

[ewf]

Thank you very much for clearing that up. So it sounds like we're looking at a 6 month time-frame.

I had no idea you were so tall to begin with. It's very positive to hear that you're 4 cm taller than me, and Dr Mitkovic had no reservations about taking you on as a patient.

Until I read your posts, I didn't feel that LL would be financially viable for me for at least another year or two, but seeing your positive posts on this very affordable doctor has forced me to confront whether or not I really want to go through with this. It's quite a lot to take on board.

To me, getting a minimum of 6 cm feels like it's hard-wired into my mind. I understand that allot of those who wish to undergo two surgeries for maximal gain rarely ever go through with the second LL op. So I think it's important that I do get to 183 cm (6 ft) tall with my initial surgery.

At an above average starting height of 181 cm, I'd like to know what made you finally decide to got through with the surgery? Also, do you mind if I ask your age?

I do apologize for hijacking your thread. You've been unbelievably helpful. Thanks!

[ewf]

kind of hard to decide between mitkovic or barinov using ilazarov

what would you think Descreteuser, would you say the risk of misalingment isn't worth it and to stick with barinov, or is there some reason to choose mitkovic over barinov.

For me, the Mitkovic monorail seems to be much less invasive and much easier to manage. The thought of having to wear a large clunky Ilizarov frame for an extended period of time would be quite unpleasant in comparison. If that wasn't enough, Dr Mitkovic is based in Europe, so if you're European (like me) not having to worry about a visa is a major advantage when planning your stay

[Descreteuser]

kind of hard to decide between mitkovic or barinov using ilazarov

what would you think Descreteuser, would you say the risk of misalingment isn't worth it and to stick with barinov, or is there some reason to choose mitkovic over barinov.

i dont know anything about barinov.. all i can say is if you are doing less than 6cm than you will be fine with this device. you will probably get mis alignments but they are easily fixed and the doctor will make sure you are satisfied.. you may go through some stress along the way but the thing is you will be better off then i was as you will have more information handed down to you. ive always got alot of satisfaction helping and teaching people so if you did do it with him i would be more than happy to guide you through as i feel i know this device and process like the back of my hand.

[microman]

hmmm, but wasn't there some arguments of sorts between you and mitkovic about the misalingments, didn't he say he said it would be okay, but then you said you wanted to go down a more complicated process to fix it for good?

am i right in saying that bump has entirely gone now?

I think i would prefer to stay in hospital or a clinic for lengthening with barinov instead of a hotel as you would with mitkovic, but I will keep him in my list of possiblities.

I think the ilazarov device does look very large and such but then you wont get misalingments, overall im not sure how much it would bother me to have frames that large, i guess it would be bad during consolodation while at home because i would have to try and move in cruthes with those things on.

visa wise i am happy with either, its not a big deal for me to fill in a few forms or travel to london for my fingerprints, i'd rather base my decision on more important things like aftercare and device type, after looking on visa websites, it appears i don't need one at all for 90 days stay, looking at extending that it appears you need to visit a police station before hand, how exactly would you do this, would mitkovic go with you as I don't speak serbian.

If you wish to extend your stay in Serbia you will need to apply for temporary residence status at least 30 days before the 90 day period expires at the police station where you are registered

[Descreteuser]

Thank you very much for clearing that up. So it sounds like we're looking at a 6 month time-frame.

I had no idea you were so tall to begin with. It's very positive to hear that you're 4 cm taller than me, and Dr Mitkovic had no reservations about taking you on as a patient.

Until I read your posts, I didn't feel that LL would be financially viable for me for at least another year or two, but seeing your positive posts on this very affordable doctor has forced me to confront whether or not I really want to go through with this. It's quite a lot to take on board.

To me, getting a minimum of 6 cm feels like it's hard-wired into my mind. I understand that allot of those who wish to undergo two surgeries for maximal gain rarely ever go through with the second LL op. So I think it's important that I do get to 183 cm (6 ft) tall with my initial surgery.

At an above average starting height of 181 cm, I'd like to know what made you finally decide to got through with the surgery? Also, do you mind if I ask your age?

I do apologize for hijacking your thread. You've been unbelievably helpful. Thanks!

its important that you weigh up the fact whether being 183 compared to 182 is going to mean alot more to you. after 5cm every half centimetre is a big hassle. Another user from this forum did 6cm with this device and im probably almost ahead of him progress wise even tho he started 4 months before me. i stopped at 4cm because it was alot safer, and it would take me to a height that i am very satisfied with. so i believe i was smart for not being greedy.. i could have easily done another half centimetre to be exactly 6'1 but the thing is i didnt need to.. no one would ever question me if i said i was 6'1 same as noone would every question you if you were 182 and said you were 6 foot. if i was you and chose this device. i would do 5cm and no more. but if getting to 183 means that much to you, than just be willing to add another couple of months to your recovery.. at the end of the day 2 months more isnt much if its going to make you 100% satisfied with your height. remember a few years down the track this process will be all but a distant memory.

[microman]

I know im 164.5 but I am only planning 5cm to 169.5, I am happy to wear a little lift to get ouf of the short zone (which is 170cm and under), and i have no intention of a 2nd height surgery.

I guess another downside is if resurgery is required you have to pay for it, with barinov he will not charge extra.

do you know if the mitkovic device is less painful than ilazarov, I have also heard that the first night the pain is very bad with ilazarov, can mitkovic knock you out if the pain gets very bad on the first night.

[bluebarbie]

Hi Descreteuser,  I m happy for u that the alignment is fixed and it's off ur mind. 

[Descreteuser]

hmmm, but wasn't there some arguments of sorts between you and mitkovic about the misalingments, didn't he say he said it would be okay, but then you said you wanted to go down a more complicated process to fix it for good?

am i right in saying that bump has entirely gone now?

I think i would prefer to stay in hospital or a clinic for lengthening with barinov instead of a hotel as you would with mitkovic, but I will keep him in my list of possiblities.

I think the ilazarov device does look very large and such but then you wont get misalingments, overall im not sure how much it would bother me to have frames that large, i guess it would be bad during consolodation while at home because i would have to try and move in cruthes with those things on.



visa wise i am happy with either, its not a big deal for me to fill in a few forms or travel to london for my fingerprints, i'd rather base my decision on more important things like aftercare and device type, after looking on visa websites, it appears i don't need one at all for 90 days stay?

what happened with me is the doctor was saying hed fix it but i didnt want any more stress put on me thats why i was trying to get away without fixing as long as it had no impact on my functionality. but after thinking about it i thought id be stupid not to have it fixed so thats when he came back in and fixed it properly.

visa wise, my hotel owner provides a free service where he drives you to the border to get you passport stamped. you just do that every 3 months and thats solves any visa problems. you just have to pay for the petrol which is like 30 euro.

[Descreteuser]

I know im 164.5 but I am only planning 5cm to 169.5, I am happy to wear a little lift to get ouf of the short zone (which is 170cm and under), and i have no intention of a 2nd height surgery.

I guess another downside is if resurgery is required you have to pay for it, with barinov he will not charge extra.

do you know if the mitkovic device is less painful than ilazarov, I have also heard that the first night the pain is very bad with ilazarov, can mitkovic knock you out if the pain gets very bad on the first night.

mitkovic device isnt that painful at all. the first week is a bit tender but because your in hospital then they provide you with pain killers whenever you need. lizarov fram would be much more painful as pins penetrate the muscle. but dont worry about physical pain.. mental stress is the worst part.

[Descreteuser]

Hi Descreteuser,  I m happy for u that the alignment is fixed and it's off ur mind. 

thankyou

[microman]

okay that's good to hear it is less painful, does mitkovic offer to knock you out during the surgery or are you awake? do you need blood tests as well, just tryign to get all the information i need.

is serbia wall sockets the same as UK, or do you need adapter,what about wifi for changing flight times, do you get that free in hotel or do you buy a stick.

for misalingment you kind of implied that the doctor was saying it wasn't a problem, and you were saying it was...anyway.

is there any pictures of the device in broad daylight, from your point of view on looking down on it.

similar to this picture, which is with barinov.

[ewf]

its important that you weigh up the fact whether being 183 compared to 182 is going to mean alot more to you. after 5cm every half centimetre is a big hassle. Another user from this forum did 6cm with this device and im probably almost ahead of him progress wise even tho he started 4 months before me. i stopped at 4cm because it was alot safer, and it would take me to a height that i am very satisfied with. so i believe i was smart for not being greedy.. i could have easily done another half centimetre to be exactly 6'1 but the thing is i didnt need to.. no one would ever question me if i said i was 6'1 same as noone would every question you if you were 182 and said you were 6 foot. if i was you and chose this device. i would do 5cm and no more. but if getting to 183 means that much to you, than just be willing to add another couple of months to your recovery.. at the end of the day 2 months more isnt much if its going to make you 100% satisfied with your height. remember a few years down the track this process will be all but a distant memory.

I have to agree with you that there is very little difference between 182 cm and 183 cm, but it's peace of mind, and I just don't feel I could be satisfied if I invested the best part of a year into this and didn't hit that seemingly magical 6'0 milestone 

I have no commitments and time really isn't a factor to me, and I think the whole experience would give me some time to get away and clear my mind. My only real concern is having good internet access while I'm away so that I can continue to work. Gym access would be great, but that may be a little too ambitious.

[microman]

for some bizzare reason I can't seem to see any flights that go to NIS, only belgrade, but i think NIS has it's own airport, what exactly is the procedure here, do you get picked up in belgrade instead?

also you diary mentioned 'extreme pain' at the start, yet recently you said his device 'isn't that painful at all', are you maybe forgetting the extreme pain yuo had at the start?

is his distration rate 0.66m/day or can it be 1.00m/day.

 

[Descreteuser]

okay that's good to hear it is less painful, does mitkovic offer to knock you out during the surgery or are you awake? do you need blood tests as well, just tryign to get all the information i need.

is serbia wall sockets the same as UK, or do you need adapter,what about wifi for changing flight times, do you get that free in hotel or do you buy a stick.

for misalingment you kind of implied that the doctor was saying it wasn't a problem, and you were saying it was...anyway.

is there any pictures of the device in broad daylight, from your point of view on looking down on it.

similar to this picture, which is with barinov.

yes your asleep. you have a blood test and phsych evaluation few days before surgery. sockets are european so u need an adaptor. wifi is free. misalignments are a problem when you are unsure that he can fix it. i always assume the worse. but now that its fixed its obviously not a problem.

[Descreteuser]

I have to agree with you that there is very little difference between 182 cm and 183 cm, but it's peace of mind, and I just don't feel I could be satisfied if I invested the best part of a year into this and didn't hit that seemingly magical 6'0 milestone 

I have no commitments and time really isn't a factor to me, and I think the whole experience would give me some time to get away and clear my mind. My only real concern is having good internet access while I'm away so that I can continue to work. Gym access would be great, but that may be a little too ambitious.

you have good internet access in the hotel. very rarely does it not work. going to the gym when you cant walk would be a real hassle.. i purchased a bench press and 2 dumbells and a stationery bike. i can perform most upper body excercises.. when i can walk without walker ill start going to the gym just down the road and be looking to sell my equipment.

[Descreteuser]

for some bizzare reason I can't seem to see any flights that go to NIS, only belgrade, but i think NIS has it's own airport, what exactly is the procedure here, do you get picked up in belgrade instead?

also you diary mentioned 'extreme pain' at the start, yet recently you said his device 'isn't that painful at all', are you maybe forgetting the extreme pain yuo had at the start?

is his distration rate 0.66m/day or can it be 1.00m/day.

you fly to belgrade.. you can either organise to get a bus to nis or have drivers pick you up and take you straight to the hotel, about 2 hour drive and cost 120 euros. at the start i found myself moving too much to trying and get comfortable in my sleep and i refused to take painkillers which caused extreme pain..  but the second legi had done i took painkillers while i was in the hospital and by the time i left there wasnt too much pain. the normal distraction rate is 0.66mm per day. he will inform you judged on your x rays whether to speed up or slow down.. but to start with it is 0.66mm a day

[microman]

oh right, for hiring drivers, how would you do that without understanding the serbian language, and for getting back home for consolodation do the drivers have a big van so a wheelchair person can fit himself in?

and i go straight to hotel and book my hotel room even before the surgery? that's a good idea as i can setup my stuff in my room, di you say there was fridge and microwave in hotel room?

why would you refuse painkillers, now it's hard to gauge the pain level for myself, do you get injection type painkillers, or can you easily self administer them with tablets whenever you want.

[microman]

Would you recommend to stay in the hospital the whole time for lengthening, perhaps it would be easier to see the doctor in the hospital.

[Descreteuser]

oh right, for hiring drivers, how would you do that without understanding the serbian language, and for getting back home for consolodation do the drivers have a big van so a wheelchair person can fit himself in?

and i go straight to hotel and book my hotel room even before the surgery? that's a good idea as i can setup my stuff in my room, di you say there was fridge and microwave in hotel room?

why would you refuse painkillers, now it's hard to gauge the pain level for myself, do you get injection type painkillers, or can you easily self administer them with tablets whenever you want.

mitkovic organises the driver for u.. u just have to tell him what flight ur on and when it lands, and they will be holding your name on a piece of paper.. they speak english and take you to the hotel in nis. the wheelchair folds up so u just sit on the seat in the car and wheelchair would be put in the back. u get set up in ur hotel room before surgery then u get the surgery done, spend 7-10 days in hospital then return to ur room. theres a fridge but no microwave.. i refused painkillers because the pain was only caused when i moved so i just tried remaining still. in hospital they give u unjections whenever u want.. once u leave tho ur on ur own but the doctor can prescribe them for u..

[Descreteuser]

Would you recommend to stay in the hospital the whole time for lengthening, perhaps it would be easier to see the doctor in the hospital.

no because dr mitkovic is very rarely there so theres no point.. the hospital is expensive to stay, the food is   and it is extremely boring.. honestly the hotel is the best way to go.. wheelchair access, staff are helpful, any prolems and u can contact the doctor from reception and he will come see u

[microman]

I was thinking of buying a self proper wheelchair and taking it with me, and pretending I need a wheelchair on the way there on airports, as this would simiulate how I will be returning back.

I think it's a good idea, since I will need to buy a wheelchair anyway.

I have e-mailed mitkovic but after reading many posts on this forum people have said after 4 weeks they hear no reply from him, not sure what to do if that happens to me.

for the painkillers on barinovs diaries people have said that nurses inject you each night, so don't you need stronger painkillers that require injection each day?

[Descreteuser]

I was thinking of buying a self proper wheelchair and taking it with me, and pretending I need a wheelchair on the way there on airports, as this would simiulate how I will be returning back.

I think it's a good idea, since I will need to buy a wheelchair anyway.

I have e-mailed mitkovic but after reading many posts on this forum people have said after 4 weeks they hear no reply from him, not sure what to do if that happens to me.

for the painkillers on barinovs diaries people have said that nurses inject you each night, so don't you need stronger painkillers that require injection each day?

nurses will injext you whenever you want here too.. if mitkovic doesnt replyjust keep resending until he does.. thats what i did

[microman]

ah yes but what about when you are in the hotel, no one will inject you?

I guess I should send him an E-mail every week until he replies? I don't want to seem soo pushy.

[Descreteuser]

ah yes but what about when you are in the hotel, no one will inject you?

I guess I should send him an E-mail every week until he replies? I don't want to seem soo pushy.

by the time your out of the hospital you wont need injections.. the pain isnt bad at all after the first week.

[microman]

During the first week of consolidation, am I able to stand for a short time, in order to transfer from wheelchair into the car seat that my parents will be driving when taking me home.

does mitkovics drivers have anything against picking me up at the airport at late times, say midnight for example?

[Descreteuser]

During the first week of consolidation, am I able to stand for a short time, in order to transfer from wheelchair into the car seat that my parents will be driving when taking me home.

does mitkovics drivers have anything against picking me up at the airport at late times, say midnight for example?

yeah you can walk with walker even when your lengthening. i waited 3 weeks after surgery and did a bit of walking every day from then on.. i was picked up at midnight so no its fine