Thanks for the awesome diary, programdude.
Your writing is really good, full of details and crisp!
My biggest concern is scars right now as I look to pursue LL surgery with Dr. Paley.
After a few years, have the scars become largely unnoticeable or are they still quite conspicuous?
Glad you enjoyed the read! Writing is a passion of mine so I'm glad that could shine through despite the many pained/drugged up posts throughout the process.
My scars have significantly diminished, and keep in mind thats with additional surgeries that a totally smooth LL process won't involve, and without me taking any measures to reduce the scars. Only one person has ever noticed my scars(one on my left glute to be specific), but they thought it was a bruise since thats essentially what it looks like.
If you have a mild amount of hair I think that'll cover them up for the most part, and when you're in shorts or swimming trunks you can't even see it. Someone scrutinizing you nked in bright light is really the only way I could see the scars being noticed.
Current status???
Good news- Although it took FAR too long, especially with COVID, I finally got the lower screws out of my leg. It was obvious to me that the radiating pain that particularly flared up was coming from a backed out screw, since the pain was localized and it poking out could be seen/felt. However, because the ER surgeon who had put the rod in when I had the fracture was seemingly unable to find my file I had to seek a new surgeon and despite getting X-Rays that showed an overtly backed out screw they needed those files regardless. I managed to get the needed to documents, and the kafkaesque process continued with many seemingly pointless appointments, an MRI, a COVID test before my surgery date which was cancelled, and another COVID test before my actual surgery.
As exhausting and demotivating as the process was, particularly with all the precautions taken since this was during the middle of the pandemic- The relief to my leg was immediate, and I could tell the issue was remedied even during the couple days of soreness that followed the surgery. I was so over appointments, and felt so good I cancelled my follow up appointment and haven't looked back.
EDIT: Damn, 220,018 views on this thread. I should have written a book!