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[Wheeljackg1]

Hey guys, I guess I should start out by stating my height. I kind of go right on either side of the line of 5'6" depending on time of day. Like from maybe 167.5-168.1cm or something like that. I've been really bummed about my height as I've gotten into my late 20s. It didn't bother me when I was younger but now I feel like I haven't grown up. I think about it every day. I feel like I don't look like the version of me that's in my head.

My ideal/goal height would be to add 5.5cm-6cm to be 173-173.5cm. That would be perfect. Proportion wise I kinda have a normally proportioned body with kinda short tibias, so I think this would make both my proportions and height perfect. I don't want to be huge. 5'8 no shoes 5'9 with boots would be perfect. Still be comfortable most spaces, fit comfortable in most showers, and wouldn't tower over my family.

This is however astronomically expensive. More then my college loan debt which I will be paying off for a long while. I also exersize reguarly and wouldn't want to lose mobility. My ankles are also kinda funky, as they crack a lot and sometimes the tendons get sore. I would also NEVER get the extrernal ones. It would have to be internal. Getting this would make me so happy, I'm just not sure how realistic it is. Its like a second college degree.

[myloginacct]

For now, I'd recommend looking into elevator shoes, and you can also add some insoles to them. From the looks of your post, it seems you might already do this to some extent, but it doesn't hurt to stress this option. For myself, the lifts greatly alleviate my height neurosis around people in daily life. Get the most outrageous height increasing shoes if you have to, as long as that gives you peace of mind.

Regarding the rest: my personal opinion is that you should focus on your higher education now (or the job prospects from it), and to only start thinking about CLL again when you feel you are both in a stable job, and in the position to land a stable job again with some ease - after all the time/career break CLL requires from most people. 

EDIT: Of course, this also means not having other debts and being in the position to save for CLL (or whatever else), etc.

[Wheeljackg1]

For now, I'd recommend looking into elevator shoes, and you can also add some insoles to them. From the looks of your post, it seems you might already do this to some extent, but it doesn't hurt to stress this option. For myself, the lifts greatly alleviate my height neurosis around people in daily life. Get the most outrageous height increasing shoes if you have to, as long as that gives you peace of mind.

Regarding the rest: my personal opinion is that you should focus on your higher education now (or the job prospects from it), and to only start thinking about CLL again when you feel you are both in a stable job, and in the position to land a stable job again with some ease - after all the time/career break CLL requires from most people. 

EDIT: Of course, this also means not having other debts and being in the position to save for CLL (or whatever else), etc.

Yea I have insoles, but it's hard to find comfortable ones I can wear and walk in. Ive bought several pairs and they are all just ok. I'm so tired of being too short. I don't think I'll have the money for this so I'm thinking a better alternative might be suicide. I don't know what to do yet as I'm having so much trouble dealing with my body.

[Bon_Voyage]

Hold up man suicide is not the way to go! at least CLL is one option, if you put your mind to it you can get it done. People on here have started from nothing and have gone through with. There also other options, dont go down that route man!

[Android]

Don't throw words like suicide like it's nothing. If you're seriously suicidal and not trying to be edgy, you need to talk to a professional.

If you want to do tibias, get externals with LATN or LON abroad. You don't need to pony up $90k+ for Precice for that, we're talking somewhere around $20k.

[Wheeljackg1]

Don't throw words like suicide like it's nothing. If you're seriously suicidal and not trying to be edgy, you need to talk to a professional.

If you want to do tibias, get externals with LATN or LON abroad. You don't need to pony up $90k+ for Precice for that, we're talking somewhere around $20k.

Not being edgy. I want to die badly, but I am staying alive for my mothers sake. It's really hard to voluntarily stay in a body that feels like a prison though.

What are Latn and Lon? I don't think I could do externals. Especially since I hate antibiotics.

[Android]

Not being edgy. I want to die badly, but I am staying alive for my mothers sake. It's really hard to voluntarily stay in a body that feels like a prison though.

What are Latn and Lon? I don't think I could do externals. Especially since I hate antibiotics.

Probably best for you to have body acceptance first with a therapist, you can even try online services. You could also call a hotline and receive some much needed support. You could even look at this thread on Reddit for support just for short people like us.

LATN (lengthening and then nailing) and LON (lengthening over nail) are weight bearing nails that are inserted and locked in place after/before lengthening with external frames. This significantly reduces time in frames. I think you have a lot of learning to do, start here.

Internals like Precice have reduced need for antibiotics, but you will be taking them. I'm afraid that next you'll say you don't have the time or can't handle pain, this is not like other cosmetic surgeries. Beggars can't be choosers, it's irrational that you can consider taking your own life but snub externals and antibiotics.

[Wheeljackg1]

Probably best for you to have body acceptance first with a therapist, you can even try online services. You could also call a hotline and receive some much needed support.

LATN (lengthening and then nailing) and LON (lengthening over nail) are weight bearing nails that are inserted and locked in place after/before lengthening with external frames. This significantly reduces time in frames. I think you have a lot of learning to do, start here.

Internals like Precice have reduced need for antibiotics, but you will be taking them. I'm afraid that next you'll say you don't have the time or can't handle pain, this is not like other cosmetic surgeries. Beggars can't be choosers, it's irrational that you can consider taking your own life but snub externals and antibiotics.

Why are you being so hostile towards me? What did I do to you? I've been seeing a therapist to try accept myself, but I just can't manage to do it.

Don't assume things about me. I'll find the time and if I have to deal with some temporary pain to resolve a permanent problem I understand that. I am hoping doing just 5.5cm will reduce long term pain, but what are the actual ods I will be facing long term pain at 5.5cm?

The shorter the time on antibiotics the better. I was on them long term in my early 20s and it gave me tendonitis in my wrists and a nasty candida overgrowth.

[Android]

Why are you being so hostile towards me? What did I do to you? I've been seeing a therapist to try accept myself, but I just can't manage to do it.

Don't assume things about me. I'll find the time and if I have to deal with some temporary pain to resolve a permanent problem I understand that. I am hoping doing just 5.5cm will reduce long term pain, but what are the actual ods I will be facing long term pain at 5.5cm?

The shorter the time on antibiotics the better. I was on them long term in my early 20s and it gave me tendonitis in my wrists and a nasty candida overgrowth.

I apologize that I sounded hostile, that wasn't the intent, and I hope I was at least helpful. I concluded that you were underinformed, hence the tone.

Your lengthening goal is modest and it won't break the bank with externals. The antibiotics you'll take aren't excessive, especially if you keep the pin sites clean.

Cost is the major roadblock for you, so if I was in your shoes, I'd be relieved to find such a solution. Broaden your options and you might feel better.

[myloginacct]

Why are you being so hostile towards me? What did I do to you? I've been seeing a therapist to try accept myself, but I just can't manage to do it.

Don't assume things about me. I'll find the time and if I have to deal with some temporary pain to resolve a permanent problem I understand that. I am hoping doing just 5.5cm will reduce long term pain, but what are the actual ods I will be facing long term pain at 5.5cm?

The shorter the time on antibiotics the better. I was on them long term in my early 20s and it gave me tendonitis in my wrists and a nasty candida overgrowth.

Android isn't being hostile to you; he was using his own spare time to make these posts to try and help you a bit. He gave you a lot of information. And trust me, I understand all of your feelings.

Either way, none of us choose the hand or the upbringing we are dealt in life. We have to try and make the best of the situation we find ourselves in. Generally, and ideally, that means making your present the best it can be, and working towards one of the better futures you can achieve. I also understand your own emotions and your own head can get in the way of that, and that you may simply feel like giving up.

[Wheeljackg1]

I apologize that I sounded hostile, that wasn't the intent, and I hope I was at least helpful. I concluded that you were underinformed, hence the tone.

Your lengthening goal is modest and it won't break the bank with externals. The antibiotics you'll take aren't excessive, especially if you keep the pin sites clean.

Cost is the major roadblock for you, so if I was in your shoes, I'd be relieved to find such a solution. Broaden your options and you might feel better.

True, a family member is in the medical field and has described the external fixators to me. They sound and look like a whole different level then the internal ones. Although I am glad that there is a possible future where I could get this and be my ideal self. I'm makes me feel more in controle and less helpless. So that's good.

Is the internal ones really much safer? I've heard American doctors speak down a lot about overseas doctors, especially ones that use the external kind.

Intruely donalreciate everyone's responses! For now I guess I'll try to wear some insoles, keep my workouts, going, maybe get my skin a little better, and try to improve/maintain anything else I can at this point.

[Android]

Is the internal ones really much safer? I've heard American doctors speak down a lot about overseas doctors, especially ones that use the external kind.

Internals are objectively better, especially newer nails like Precice. But that doesn't mean they're barbaric or even outdated; they're still being used today for more complex deformities that a telescoping rod can't fix.

It hasn't even been a decade since Precice hit the market, so methods like LATN and LON are relatively contemporary compared to classic Ilizarov. For instance, here's Dr. Mahboubian treating a patient with an external fixator in 2011. Here's a slide deck by Dr. Rozbruch in 2012, discussing the advantages of LATN and LON over classic Ilizarov.

FYI, LON was introduced by Dr. Paley in 1997. LATN was introduced by Dr. Rozbruch in 2007. Advanced hexapod frames like the Taylor Spatial Frame (used by Dr. Mahboubian in video linked above) and Ortho-SUV (created in conjunction with Dr. Solomin) improved on the Ilizarov apparatus with more degrees of control as well.

Of course, the advantages of external fixators don't mean as much for CLL patients, since what we need is relatively simple: lengthening in one direction. For that reason, doctors will recommend internals over externals if it's for cosmetic reasons. The experience is better through simplified lengthening process (push of a button on external controller), psychologically less taxing to not have frames, less socially isolating if patient is embarrassed about frames, less scarring, less infections, etc. Cosmetics patients are pickier and less forgiving, as they're seeking enhancement, not simply function -- so doctors prefer internals.

But externals still exist for CLL patients, and since it's less expensive, more doctors abroad still offer it. It's a strong association for sure. Some doctors are indeed worse than others, and this forum helps to find the right one for all budgets. As for Dr. Paley, he's all in on the Precice, since he helped to develop it; would be counter intuitive to trumpet another method when he can improve his own through consultation with the manufacturer.

Glad you're feeling a bit better!

[MirinHeight]

the risk w/ internals is fat embolism syndrome due to reaming of the bone canal. Dr. paley has seen 4 of these doing bilateral internal femurs cosmetic lengthening. fat embolism syndrome can be fatal.

tibias have less risk of fat embolism syndrome. externals have less risk of fat embolism syndrome due to no reaming of the bone canal.

if you want most safety when it comes to mortality, i would suggest unilateral internal femurs spread one month apart or external tibias.

i cannot suggest internal tibias due to a high risk of permanent knee pain due to the rod being inserted through the knee


there are a lot of studies on potential risks and risk factors during internals vs externals. I suggest you read up on them.

[Wheeljackg1]

Thanks guys!

the risk w/ internals is fat embolism syndrome due to reaming of the bone canal. Dr. paley has seen 4 of these doing bilateral internal femurs cosmetic lengthening. fat embolism syndrome can be fatal.

tibias have less risk of fat embolism syndrome. externals have less risk of fat embolism syndrome due to no reaming of the bone canal.

if you want most safety when it comes to mortality, i would suggest unilateral internal femurs spread one month apart or external tibias.

i cannot suggest internal tibias due to a high risk of permanent knee pain due to the rod being inserted through the knee


there are a lot of studies on potential risks and risk factors during internals vs externals. I suggest you read up on them.

Yea, I've read a bit about it. i would definitely want to have my tibias longer. And yea, I've read about guys wanting to get external because they were scared at how destructive and scary inserting the internal was. So internals are safer? Even though they can cause knee issues? That makes it seem like externals would be better except for risk of infection. I gues very risky stuff either way. 

[..]

[Johnson1111]

Why are you being so hostile towards me? What did I do to you? I've been seeing a therapist to try accept myself, but I just can't manage to do it.

Don't assume things about me. I'll find the time and if I have to deal with some temporary pain to resolve a permanent problem I understand that. I am hoping doing just 5.5cm will reduce long term pain, but what are the actual ods I will be facing long term pain at 5.5cm?

The shorter the time on antibiotics the better. I was on them long term in my early 20s and it gave me tendonitis in my wrists and a nasty candida overgrowth.

Are you gonna go from wanting to die to perfectly happy with a 5.5cm increase after tens of thousands of dollars spent and a year of recovery time?

That's what you have to ask yourself sir.

[Wheeljackg1]

Wow, thanks for the response man. I think you are right. I think it's partially my proportions I knock myself for, and not just my actual height. I hope I can come to terms with it or find a way to be happy in my skin one day. Keep being awesome!

Are you gonna go from wanting to die to perfectly happy with a 5.5cm increase after tens of thousands of dollars spent and a year of recovery time?

That's what you have to ask yourself sir.

I have scalp and hair issues as well. I think if I had the height and the hair I would actually be happy. But I did have a lot of bad stuff happen in my life at once, so I guess it's not just about height. I guess I just never felt great in my skin, and I see how satisfied I would be with longer legs and a bit of extra height and just want that feeling.

[Android]

I have scalp and hair issues as well. I think if I had the height and the hair I would actually be happy. But I did have a lot of bad stuff happen in my life at once, so I guess it's not just about height. I guess I just never felt great in my skin, and I see how satisfied I would be with longer legs and a bit of extra height and just want that feeling.

Same here. Hair transplants are much easier, but do keep in mind that you won't see full results for 9 months to a year. You can find reputable doctors here. I suggest using a hair concealer like Toppik or DermMatch if it's not too bad right now.