Hi there,
Just a few questions regarding the LL surgery:
- I'm currently 5'8". I feel as though I'm short whenever I'm around other people. I want to be at least 5'11". If I do this surgery and grow my desired height, will I look disproportionate e.g. long legs but short arms, short torso, small hands, short neck, small head, etc.?
- Will my bones be just as strong as they were before this surgery? I really do want to play sports!
- How painful is it and how long does it take to recover?
If I decide not to pursue this surgey, my other options is HGH, but would my growth plates be closed at 18?
Thanks,
Pierre
-5'8 is only slightly short by US standards. Average height's 5'9, but alright, I won't doubt how you feel. How weird your proportions will look depends on your current upper body:legs ratio. If they're equal-ish you'll look fine. If your legs are already significantly longer than your torso it could be odd.
-From what I've seen, yes. But if you're an athlete it's highly recommended that you don't do this because many people have said that you'll never be the same athlete you were before. You could have 90% or more of your previous athletic ability (and 10% reduction is quite a lot!)
-For 3 inches, anywhere from 6 months to 1 year. (depends on your method)
I asked an endocrinologist about HGH and there's no way they're going to give it to you.
-HGH is meant for little people/midgets who are below the normal growth range. There's a formula (mom's height + dad's height in inches + 5 inches divided by 2 or something) and if you're in the 5 inch (up and down) range of this height, you are normal.
-HGH is highly dangerous. It increases EVERYTHING, it could expand an organ or have some serious effects. Limb Lengthening is safer than HGH.
So forget about HGH.
I'm not an expert though! I'm doing this next year when I turn 18, so 'luck to the both of us.