I’m not trying to hijack this thread, but I’d like to hopefully add some validity to the OP, because I met him, but it requires some back story, and if my story is true, then his is probably true also. The backstory is necessary because this is my first post, and no one knows who I am, except the OP and Thao.
I was in Vietnam this summer visiting my family. I was serious about doing LL, but not in Vietnam. I was set on Russia because the price was lower and because I wanted to spend my time learning and practicing Russian. However, since I was already there, I decided to visit this doctor because it was only a few kilometers from where I was staying. I met Thao, who was extremely helpful, and that's why his name comes up over and over. But then again, I think he's the only one that speaks English very, very well. Everyone else will be familiar with English, but not fully comfortable, and will always look to him for translation. I met the surgeon who urged against going too tall and whose advice I'll take. I asked to meet an actual patient, because I wouldn't even consider it if I didn't speak with someone who was currently going through it. That's where I met OP.
More than just the quality of surgery, I wanted to know what the personality of another person actually going through with LL was like. I know there's a lot of people on this forum considering it, but how many people actually follow through with it? And among those, how many people actually meet? I wanted to know if LL patients were normal, well-adjusted people with productive lives, or if they had severe mental issues. Anyone I've ever brought LL up to before said that it is stupid. I wanted to meet an LL patient to see if all the nay-sayers were right. If I met the OP and he was crazy, there is no chance I would follow through with LL because I wouldn't want to be associated with a crazy bunch.
I met OP in the Institute back in June, 2017. I don't remember how much earlier he had the surgery, but he had his frames on and was a cool dude. We talked easily for about an hour, which allayed my fears that LL patients are social weirdos. He moved around easily with the frames on. The Institute was clean and modern, with fast internet. I didn't have a chance to meet the physical therapist or anyone else. He was the only patient in recovery there at the time.
After I left, I was still set on Russia. After another month in Vietnam, I had decided not to do the surgery anymore. Being in Vietnam, I was routinely the tallest person I could see. Not necessarily by much, but to a degree I noticed. And then I went to Singapore. I don’t know what’s in their water, but they are tall. Once again, I was usually the shortest guy around. And then I went back to the US and once again felt the insecurity of my height. When going to parties and noticing that many of the girls are taller than me, or when in a crowd and I notice that my calves hurt from trying to be on my tiptoes. I knew I had to do the surgery because the insecurity would last for the rest of my life. I knew that if I planned to stay in a Western culture country, I would always blame my height for my personal failings instead of being honest with myself and identifying the root cause.
Eventually I decided to go back to Vietnam for LL because I already knew the quality of service and getting a visa for Russia, just to look into their program was going to be both difficult and expensive. I’m a premedical student in the US, grew up in a medical family, and have spent a lot of time in and around hospitals and doctors all around the world. I can generally gauge medical quality fairly accurately. The hospital isn’t what you’d find in the most modern, expensive ER in New York City or Switzerland, but seems to be the quality of central Europe. More importantly, the surgeon seemed competent and seems to actually care about the outcome.
I came to OP’s defense because I know he’s a good dude. I chose Vietnam because I know what to expect because I’ve been there. I purchase my plane ticket back to Vietnam yesterday and will be having the surgery in late November. I took a year off school specifically for this, I’ve done my research, and believe I’m making the right decision with this doctor. I’ll start my forum entry as that date gets nearer.
TLDR: OP is a real person, who did LL, and I met him in Vietnam.
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Topic: My Experience Lengthening in Vietnam April to September 2017 (Read 8985 times)