Hi Everyone,
I'm new to this forum. I'm an Asian girl now living in the U.S. My English is not as good as majority of you on this forum, so please excuse my broken English or mis-spelling in any posting I may have. I've read many amazing dairies of people who have completed their LL journeys on this forum. I'd also like to share my LL experience when I get my surgery scheduled.
About myself: I'm only 5 ft tall with a slim looking body shape. Although I'm now in my mid 20s, people who does not know me always quoted me as a 12-14 teenager due to my height and young looking appearance. People look at me thinking me more of a barbie doll or a stay at home little girl who knows nothing rather than a grown up. My body is relatively flexible. I can perform some bending and stretching such as split leap. My goal is to go maximum with Precice II, 8cm on femurs + 8cm on tibias. My goal is less athletic concerned because I have very little athletic needs compare to many of males. All I wanted are to be taller, walk normally after a few years of consolidation, can still drive and go shopping (I like shopping very much). I'd be very very happy if I can still ware low heel shoes (1-2 inches) 5 years after my surgery. My family will support my living during and after the surgery so there is no rush for healing in my case. Ideally, I'd like to make my consolidation as slow and smooth as possible.
So for LL, I have following questions if someone could kindly provide me some insights with:
1. Besides Dr Paley or Dr Rozbruch, what are doctors who perform Precice II at a lower cost in the U.S.? I'd like to stay in the U.S. rather than travelling overseas, but $170000 is over my budget. I'm more comfortable with a budget at 120K-130K.
2. For some of you have done LL overseas, how did you handle your check ups? What if you discovered complications after you went home? Where and how did you find a local doctor who would accept you as patient even he/she was not your initial surgeon for LL? If I undergo my initial surgery overseas and then have to hire a local U.S. doctor to treat my complications, would this overall cost be higher versus choosing a local doctor for the entire procedure? I have no clue on where I can go for follow ups, x-rays and other medications associated with LL if I choose to undergo surgery overseas.
Wouldn't it be a win/win scenario if foreign LL doctors can build some connections with U.S. doctors for patients' post-op needs/treatments? Are there any doctors doing this?
3. I've once read someone's sharing on a different forum, he pointed out that a LL member he knew who has successfully gained 10 cm with Dr Betz in Germany (if I remembered correctly), was actually aided by some type of medication to achieve his goal. I can not recall what was the name of medicine or the type of medication now. Does anyone know about this? Are medications important in post LL?
Thank you everyone in advance for your help. Again please excuse my broken English.