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[precice strider]

Hi! I'm thinking of CLL in a few years and have some questions.
Any help would be appreciated.

What was your goal height and how did you decide? I initially wanted 6' assuming that I would grow to 5'6" but I quickly realized that Dr. Paley's 6" plan that would require 3 surgeries would be extremely difficult, and that there was no way that my parents, or anyone else for that matter, would pay for it and that I would have to save up the money myself. I then considered 8cm in the femurs since I would be content with 5'9" because it's the national average in the US. After that, I also realized that as much as I wouldn't want to be known as "the short guy",  being known as "the tall guy" after surgery could make me even more unhappy knowing that my defining feature would be artificial. Therefore I decided that I would only want to lengthen to 5'8"-5'10" and have a height that just isn't apparent to anyone in the US. 

How did it feel after reaching your final height post-surgery? Was it different from what you expected?

Have you ever had a desire for more height or another cosmetic procedure after surgery? I honestly feel like I'd be happy once I reach 5'8" or 5'9" but I talked with a friend a while back who didn't support me wanting CLL (although he tried to be kind and helpful about it) and he told me that often people who get cosmetic procedures have an urge for more, like an addiction. I told him that I was sure I only wanted 3 inches and then I'd be perfectly content with my body, but he tried to convince me that it was a trap and that many of those people start out only wanting one procedure.

For those of you who don't have jobs that require physical activity, how long did it take for you to actually return to work? I'm still in HS, but I know that if I get a job in my 20s that allows me to save up for CLL quickly, it would likely be as a mechanical or software engineer. So if anyone here has a similar job, what interruptions did CLL have on your work?

And last but not least, did you require a catheter? I remember first knowing about it because it was mentioned on Dr. Paley's FAQ. When I googled it I was so grossed out that it actually turned me away for a few months. It almost seemed worse than the surgery itself. Is it actually as bad as it sounds?

[Ostentician]

Hey man. I haven't done LL but I did get a surgery a while back that required me to be on a catheter for a day or two. It was mildly uncomfortable when it was in and the only time it was painful was when the doctor removed it. The removal pain also wasn't that bad, it was maybe like a 4/10 or a 5/10 and it was only for an instant.

[FormerKidd]

For those of you who don't have jobs that require physical activity, how long did it take for you to actually return to work? I'm still in HS, but I know that if I get a job in my 20s that allows me to save up for CLL quickly, it would likely be as a mechanical or software engineer. So if anyone here has a similar job, what interruptions did CLL have on your work?

The first three weeks to a month can be tough due to the pain.  After that, you have aching which can sometimes make it difficult to concentrate, but it is possible to work at least part-time from home.  While lengthening, you have to use the big box a few times a day and stretch routinely, which may be difficult in an office setting.

Most of your aches go away within a week or two of completing lengthening, after which you can probably go to an office, but you may still require some assistance (e.g., a cain or crutches) to move around.