I’ve had my consultation with Dr. Giotikas. Here are my thoughts about my experience in Athens in general before:
The city seems nice, especially from above. Its history and its ancient buildings are quite interesting. Even though it was 33°C it didn’t feel that hot because of its location close to the sea. Anyway some roads were quite slippery and some old buildings let the city appear underdeveloped in some parts. Until midnight there were loud noises from construction work at one night during my stay and some few (luckily not very valuable) things were stolen from me. (So be careful! Don’t leave your things in a hostel for example)
The Mediterraneo hospital is about 30-40 minutes away from the city center. I took a taxi for 13,80€. The hospital looked modern from outside. Inside it was also modern and clean but compared to some German hospitals some things could be improved I think. The floors were narrow, you couldn’t take any elevator, it had to be a certain one (which you first had to find), there were only a few sanitizers/disinfectants in the places I’ve been (while in Germany you can find them in every restroom and every room and floors).
Finally, I was waiting for Dr. Giotikas. When he arrived we shook hands, he greeted me friendly and asked how I like Athens. Then he explained to me what I can expect from the consultation.
(Ct scans, his explanation of what is possible, my questions, his examination of my legs concerning flexibility) Before the consultation I sent 140€ and I was told that I would have to pay another 120€ for CT scans (either in cash or by debit card) but instead of 120€ I was only asked for 42€ by the receptionist after the CT scans (which were taken somewhere else in the building). Afterwards I went to Dr. Giotikas again. He wanted to know why I want to do LL. After I told him my reasons, he assured me that he understands my reasons of wanting to reach my full potential.
Things I asked and his answers (not exactly what he said, only from my memory, in reality he answered more thoroughly)
1. How many patients did you have concerning LL?
150 (per year), mostly for medical reasons (he explained which ones) but also cosmetic ones
2. What are the most common risks? Will the risks with Stryde be similar to the ones with Precise 2?
Ballerina (he explained the method with which they cure ballerina and said again that ATL is something he doesn’t do since every patient after ATL complains about loss of strength)
and duck ass (I forgot to ask how this is cured or he forgot to answer)
Infection of the pin sites (cured by antibiotics)
Other risks: this blood thing (sorry I forgot the name, anyway he gives you blood thinners), and if something is wrong with the nail, if it breaks (rarely though)for example the patient would have to pay for replacement (or if it happens by the end of lengthening they can replace it with something else, a cheaper option) he also talked about fat embolism but I can't remember if he said what measurements will be taken then.
the risks with Stryde will probably similar to the ones with Precise 2, probably less risk of nail breakage
3. What will I be able to do during lengthening and consolidation?
In the beginning sitting for a long time would be difficult. Every two weeks during your 2-2,5 months (2 months stay in Athens with TSF, 2,5months with Precise/Stryde) stay you will have to go to the clinic again by a special taxi (costs about 30€). With Stryde you will be in a wheelchair for the first 3-5weeks. (He isn’t very optimistic so far about crutches after 3 weeks already, patients should expect maybe 5 weeks to be safe) He will know more when experiences have been made in the U.S.) In the beginning you should hire a caretaker (for cleaning and cooking) until you can bear weight.
4. How close should the apartment I’ll rent be to the clinic, can your clinic help me with searching one when it’s time?
It can be anywhere. You can look for one and Dr. Giotikas secretary helps to check out if it fits, if it’s available (as the bathroom can’t be too small, you probably need an elevator…)
5. Will the PT visit me at my place of stay?
Half of the sessions PT will take place at the rehabilitation center (modern, with swimming and stuff). The transport from your apartment to the center is included in the price. And for the other sessions the PT (I’m not sure but I think) will come to your place of stay.
6. After 10 weeks of PT how long and how often per week should I hire a PT?
Dr. Giotikas said that afterwards I probably won’t need PT anymore.
7. Is there sth I can do before surgery to improve my recovery?
He offers a plan of training your flexibility 2 months before surgery. He is aware that theoretically it won’t make a change but he believes (or speaks from experience) that the muscles are trained that way (I can’t really express what he exactly said) and that the patient is getting used to those exercises (the discipline)…and all in one it makes recovery easier.
8. What kind of doctors are able to remove such frames if you choose to do it in your home country?
Any orthopedic center. But if you want you can do it in Athens for 950-1000€.
9. Did you notice if a certain amount of lengthening is safer?
Yes, the less you lengthen the less risks. He thinks it’s safe to do 7cm with femur and 5cm(not sure anymore) with tibia. To AlphaX he said the limits are 8cm and 6,5cm.
10. I have read that having longer femurs is safer concerning risks of arthritis for example.
First he said, there is no evidence for that. Then I said that it was a study. He answered that during his studies arthritis was the main thing he reasearched about and there are other things more responsible for the risk of arthritis. He created his own way to measure proportions by having evaluated thousands of U.S. soldiers. So he can tell you if you’d be still in the normal range after LL.
11. I asked him If it would be better to do LL with a pause of one year inbetween.
No, it doesn’t matter. He thinks that it’s better to finish this project in one year, since after the first surgery you wouldn’t be happy about the few cm gained. From the health perspective he doesn’t see any concern, your body would be able to recover.
12. I’m just 53/54kg. Does this make a difference concerning recovery and mobility?
Not really. No matter how thin you are, you would still have to wait as much until weight bearing as other patients. It might decrease the risk of nail breakage but there are other factors that could still cause the nail breakage.
13. Do you have an emergency number, someone I can contact if sth happens
Yes
14. Will I have to pay the follow up X-Rays?
Yes, they will probably only need like 4 more X-Rays (each about 30€).
15. Is my bone big enough for Stryde?
He measured my bone sizes with the help of the CT scan results. I probably need the smaller nail but I can still walk with crutches after 3-5weeks with Stryde.
16. How much will Stryde + TSF cost and when is it available?
Around 60.000€, maybe 2.000€ more. Available in the beginning of next year. (He didn’t mention if he is sure about that or not)
17. Is one method more painful than the other?
He doesn’t think so. Pain is subjective, too.
Other things that were said without a direct question. (At home I measured my wingspan and torso and thought they were both a few cm longer. Dr. Giotikas measured them (not precisely though even though he measured my wingspan twice) and the results were shorter than mine. So apparently my wingspan is about as long as my height. And overall after LL I would be in the normal range but not that close to the average. He said that someone with a trained eye, like he and other LLers would maybe notice the difference but other people would probably not. So I have to decide wether proportions are more important or if I want to lengthen a little less. Like 9cm. But I can’t imagine that 1 cm more or less would make such a big difference. And he said that 6cm femur and 4cm tibia would be good but we could still play with the numbers.
He reminded me once friendly if I have more questions since it’s getting late.
He examined my legs. My flexibility is good. He doesn’t expect ballerina. And IT bands are only a little bit tight on my left leg but it doesn’t need to be operated. Finally, we were done.
Dr. Giotikas said that if I have any more questions I forgot I can e-mail him/his secretary. He will send me a summary next week of the consultations where it’s written what was said. (even though I’m wondering how he remembers everything)
I arrived at 11AM (waited for 20-30minutes inbetween) and left at around 3PM.
After all…I have mixed feelings of what to do. TSF and then Stryde in one year. Or first Stryde (seems to be a lot easier to handle...and then wait after university to do TSF)
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Topic: Dr Dimitrios Giotikas (Athens, Greece) (Read 76770 times)