Hello everyone, I apologize for my absence. I chose to distance myself from the negativity here and focus on my projects instead. The volume of private messages I received was overwhelming, and it was disheartening to see the extent of people's greed. I suspect some of these individuals might be from rival companies, but that's just speculation. As I've mentioned before, I'm a full-stack developer, AI and embedded system engineer. Next year, I plan to return to the US to pursue a master's degree. I have no financial or emotional ties to the company in question.
To recap, my initial surgery was on November 22, 2022, and the removal surgery took place on February 8, 2023. As of today, August 1, it's been more than 6.5 months since the removal surgery. I've grown 8.6cm and now stand at 182cm (6'0").
I'm the kind of person who thrives on constant work. After taking a three-month break, I felt compelled to dive back into my projects. I neglected my strengthening exercises, assuming my legs would regain their strength naturally. However, my recovery was slower than expected due to this oversight. I experienced pain in my left leg when walking without support and continued to wobble until two weeks after I started going to the gym.
Dr. Yunus and another orthopedic surgeon I consulted in my hometown, Ankara, Turkey, advised me to use support until early June. I followed their advice for about 3.5 months. The second surgeon, who was unfamiliar with Dr. Yunus, complimented his work. They both recommended that I start going to the gym, which I did three weeks ago. I alternate between swimming 1km one day and doing push or pull workouts the next, focusing on strengthening my legs. The difference was noticeable almost immediately; my wobble has nearly disappeared, and the pain in my left leg is gone.
Interestingly, none of my friends noticed my height increase of 8.6cm. I expected it to be more obvious. Even my brother, who is a medical doctor, said he wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't told him. He always thought of me as tall, although I suspect he's exaggerating. He's expressed interest in undergoing the same surgery, but his schedule doesn't allow for it. I believe you need at least four months of downtime for this procedure.
A month ago, I was concerned because I wasn't recovering as quickly as I'd hoped. Now, after starting my gym and swimming routine, I feel fantastic.
I recorded a video three months post-removal surgery, during which I was still wobbling. I plan to post that video here in a day or two, after blurring my face for privacy reasons. If I have the opportunity to record another video, I will share that as well.
Here's my advice for anyone considering this surgery: mentally prepare yourself and expect the worst. If possible, work on strengthening your upper body muscles, which can help manage the pain. Avoid over-reliance on strong painkillers, especially early on. Don't rush the surgery or attempt to combine both leg surgeries. Choose the right company and country for this operation carefully; your health is paramount. Pay close attention to your physical therapy sessions, as they play a crucial role in determining your final height. If you neglect your PT, you might not reach your full potential. Finally, listen to your doctor and physical therapists. If they advise you to stop lengthening, heed their advice.
Most importantly, before beginning your lengthening phase, I highly recommend incorporating as much stretching as possible into your routine. This isn't just beneficial for the lengthening process; I believe everyone should stretch regularly for overall health. It's crucial for maintaining fascia health, as evidenced by my Maltipoo dog who stretches literally throughout the whole day.
As I've mentioned before, my height was a significant concern for me for almost 15 years. I am immensely grateful to the Wannabetaller team for resolving my issue without any complications. I'd like to extend my thanks to the founder, Ibrahim Algan, the surgeon Dr. Yunus Oc, my initial contact Tugce and the physical therapists Cagatay, Mehmet, and Eyup. I also appreciate the nurses Aylis and Ecem, as well as Rabia and Taner, who always addressed my concerns with positivity and patience.