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Author Topic: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening  (Read 1145 times)

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LG1816

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Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« on: September 01, 2023, 07:10:45 PM »

I’ve always been focused on just doing the one segment, with my preference being tibias. At 5’8.5, the plan was to do external frames to get me to 5’11, which is a height I’d be happy at (to be at a lower height wouldn’t seem enough bang for buck).

I’d heard of quad lengthening where people do both tibias and femurs, but never really considered it as I wasn’t interested in gaining an immense amount of height. However, as I’ve learnt more about the procedure, other factors have made me consider it.

Obviously the main benefit of external tibias is the cost and the ability to weight bare, and the risk of fat embolism and non-union is going to be less with only doing one segment (and with fat embolism, much less just by the nature of the procedure).

One of the reasons I'm concerned with that, though, is that my proportions will look weird having done 6cm. Obviously people aren't going to be able to tell in clothes, but what about when you're in your underwear? (my tib/femur ratio is 0.8, btw)

Doing two segments would solve that issue obviously because then you could just do 3cm on both to have your proportions remain totally normal. In reality I'd probably do 3.5cm on each (obviously I know there's torso proportions to consider, but from what I've read on here, that's much less of an issue if you're not lengthening to the extremes).

I'd be going with Giotikas in either situation, and if I did both segments, i'd do externals on tibias and Precise for femurs. I'm guessing that although the it would prove a more difficult experience, you'd be finished quicker (any idea on the length of time for 3-3.5cm doing this? I know usually for externals on tibs only it's like 9 months) and potentially have less muscle and ligament issues with only doing a small amount on each bone.

Overall, it would appear quad lengthening is the healthier, less time consuming, and more aesthetic option, it just costs way more and I'd imagine is much more fatiguing to deal with.

Thoughts? Thanks!
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breakmylegs

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2023, 07:27:10 PM »

Based on my long term lurking in this sub, Quad lengthening is not only gonna keep you crippled for longer, but Tibias are also full of complications, and do you really want to risk tibia problems while your femurs are completely broken?

Many before you have been given this advice, but I'll repeat it:
Lengthen your Femurs first, heal and rehabilitate then come back for tibia lengthening.
You'd be 5'10 after femurs anyway, 5'11-6' in shoes, and your proportions would look amazing.

Just my opinion.
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TheDream

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2023, 07:59:48 PM »

I dont think anyone would notice or suspect 6 cm tibias even at a pool.
The main reason for splitting it into quad would be to restore the 0.8 tibia to femur ratio as going away from this ratio has shown to cause health problems long term. Also reducing chances of ACL, ballerina etc. from going 6 cm tibia.
But the minimum quad Id say is 3.2 tibia + 4.0 femur so you keep the 0.8 tibia to femur ratio afterwards.
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lessthanavg8300

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2023, 11:34:19 PM »

I’ve always been focused on just doing the one segment, with my preference being tibias. At 5’8.5, the plan was to do external frames to get me to 5’11, which is a height I’d be happy at (to be at a lower height wouldn’t seem enough bang for buck).

I’d heard of quad lengthening where people do both tibias and femurs, but never really considered it as I wasn’t interested in gaining an immense amount of height. However, as I’ve learnt more about the procedure, other factors have made me consider it.

Obviously the main benefit of external tibias is the cost and the ability to weight bare, and the risk of fat embolism and non-union is going to be less with only doing one segment (and with fat embolism, much less just by the nature of the procedure).

One of the reasons I'm concerned with that, though, is that my proportions will look weird having done 6cm. Obviously people aren't going to be able to tell in clothes, but what about when you're in your underwear? (my tib/femur ratio is 0.8, btw)

Doing two segments would solve that issue obviously because then you could just do 3cm on both to have your proportions remain totally normal. In reality I'd probably do 3.5cm on each (obviously I know there's torso proportions to consider, but from what I've read on here, that's much less of an issue if you're not lengthening to the extremes).

I'd be going with Giotikas in either situation, and if I did both segments, i'd do externals on tibias and Precise for femurs. I'm guessing that although the it would prove a more difficult experience, you'd be finished quicker (any idea on the length of time for 3-3.5cm doing this? I know usually for externals on tibs only it's like 9 months) and potentially have less muscle and ligament issues with only doing a small amount on each bone.

Overall, it would appear quad lengthening is the healthier, less time consuming, and more aesthetic option, it just costs way more and I'd imagine is much more fatiguing to deal with.

Thoughts? Thanks!

Absolutely not.  Quad is for giga short people or those doing absurd lengths.  You're 5'8.5 and talking about a modest amount.  Just do femurs if you really want to do this.  Your proportions will look fine.
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2023, 02:29:55 AM »

Not true, I am 177 and I am sure i will do maximum of 9 cms with quad. Simply to look good and be able to go to gym without hurting myself in the long term because of the tibia/femur ratio. Btw today a 180cm girl i met in the club told me that i am too short and if i were taller she would take me immediataly:) she was 10/10.
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2023, 12:04:01 PM »

I see your point I just wanted to say that even tho I would be 170cms or even 165 I wouldnt go past 10cms together in both segments.
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lessthanavg8300

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2023, 01:35:25 PM »

Fact that you mention girls saying they prefer tall guys is why guys should just max out what they can and worry less about how athletic they'll be. If your starting point is 177 then it makes sense you wouldn't feel compelled to push your limits. It's because being 177 hasn't caused you to face as much adversity and rejection as a guy who's 172 or 167. With each, e.g., 5-cm height gain, it just opens up more doors.

Yeah bro, girls love crippled guys who cant even jog or do basic activities with them.  Youll land a solid one this way.  They just want you to stand there and be tall and never move.  You wont look pathetic at all when you cant even pick something off the ground without looking like a clown.
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lessthanavg8300

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2023, 01:36:02 PM »

Not true, I am 177 and I am sure i will do maximum of 9 cms with quad. Simply to look good and be able to go to gym without hurting myself in the long term because of the tibia/femur ratio. Btw today a 180cm girl i met in the club told me that i am too short and if i were taller she would take me immediataly:) she was 10/10.

9CM isnt really a small amount.  Theres a big difference between 6 and 9.  Theres no reason at all to do quad with 6.  Its unnecessary, more dangerous, worse scarring, and slower recovery.
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2023, 07:26:19 PM »

9cm is my "target" I would be satisfied with anything above 7cms, the first reply message above is top xddd
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GrowGrow123

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2023, 07:26:41 PM »

It’s pretty retarded to do quad for a total of 6/7 cm.

Just do femurs and be done with it. If you really really want to perfect the proportions, you can always go back for tibias later after having healed the femurs.
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Starting Height: 5' 9.5"
Current Height: 6' 0.5"
Wing Span: 6' 2"
Method: Precise 2.2 Femurs
Surgery Date: March 2023

slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2023, 08:55:01 PM »

Nobody has ever said I would do quad for 6/7, I am not really keen on looking like a freak with segment significantly longer.
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GrowGrow123

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2023, 11:54:37 PM »

Nobody has ever said I would do quad for 6/7, I am not really keen on looking like a freak with segment significantly longer.

Sorry, let me rephrase.

It’s pretty retarded to do quad for 9 cm.
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Starting Height: 5' 9.5"
Current Height: 6' 0.5"
Wing Span: 6' 2"
Method: Precise 2.2 Femurs
Surgery Date: March 2023

slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #12 on: September 03, 2023, 12:20:09 AM »

Im not even gonna try to argue with height obsessed lowbrain like you. If you consider overlengthening and risking your own legs for extra 5cms not a big deal, you honestly dont deserve them.
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GrowGrow123

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #13 on: September 03, 2023, 05:21:50 AM »

Im not even gonna try to argue with height obsessed lowbrain like you. If you consider overlengthening and risking your own legs for extra 5cms not a big deal, you honestly dont deserve them.

In what world is doing a whole other surgery (technically two because of rod removal) safer than doing one?

In what world is fking with your femurs + tibias safer than just fking with your femurs?

By your own admission, your desire for quad stems primarily from aesthetic concerns (which are very likely overblown unless you already have long femurs).
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Starting Height: 5' 9.5"
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #14 on: September 03, 2023, 01:30:01 PM »

If you think that doing 9cms on femurs is better than doing quad for 9cms, you have to be joking. I would say that fking with another surgery to not go 3 more cms beyond the femur safe limit and increase the chances of a) complications, both longterm and shortterm by overlengthening b) looking unproportional af. You might think that none is gonna figure out, but once you take off your long pants I can tell you that youre gonna get weird faces from prople around even at +9cms:)
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informationispower

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #15 on: September 03, 2023, 02:12:35 PM »

If you think that doing 9cms on femurs is better than doing quad for 9cms, you have to be joking. I would say that fking with another surgery to not go 3 more cms beyond the femur safe limit and increase the chances of a) complications, both longterm and shortterm by overlengthening b) looking unproportional af. You might think that none is gonna figure out, but once you take off your long pants I can tell you that youre gonna get weird faces from prople around even at +9cms:)

Imo long pants actually make the legs look even longer. Shorts is the best way to mask femur lengthening.

I agree though that a total 10cm on anyone would look weird.
Most can get 6cms and look good, less so with 8, basically no one at 10
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #16 on: September 03, 2023, 02:27:53 PM »

agree
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GrowGrow123

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #17 on: September 03, 2023, 04:34:39 PM »

If you think that doing 9cms on femurs is better than doing quad for 9cms, you have to be joking. I would say that fking with another surgery to not go 3 more cms beyond the femur safe limit and increase the chances of a) complications, both longterm and shortterm by overlengthening b) looking unproportional af. You might think that none is gonna figure out, but once you take off your long pants I can tell you that youre gonna get weird faces from prople around even at +9cms:)

I’m saying just do 8cm on femur. You’re very hung up on the number 9 for some reason. 8 is safe for femurs (but absolutely not for tibias).

You’re vastly underestimating this surgery and you’re also underestimating how much worse tibias is than femurs.
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Starting Height: 5' 9.5"
Current Height: 6' 0.5"
Wing Span: 6' 2"
Method: Precise 2.2 Femurs
Surgery Date: March 2023

LG1816

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #18 on: September 06, 2023, 08:45:40 PM »

Based on my long term lurking in this sub, Quad lengthening is not only gonna keep you crippled for longer, but Tibias are also full of complications, and do you really want to risk tibia problems while your femurs are completely broken?

Many before you have been given this advice, but I'll repeat it:
Lengthen your Femurs first, heal and rehabilitate then come back for tibia lengthening.
You'd be 5'10 after femurs anyway, 5'11-6' in shoes, and your proportions would look amazing.

Just my opinion.

Cheers for the input. Makes sense to do them separately.
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LG1816

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #19 on: September 06, 2023, 08:46:19 PM »

I dont think anyone would notice or suspect 6 cm tibias even at a pool.
The main reason for splitting it into quad would be to restore the 0.8 tibia to femur ratio as going away from this ratio has shown to cause health problems long term. Also reducing chances of ACL, ballerina etc. from going 6 cm tibia.
But the minimum quad Id say is 3.2 tibia + 4.0 femur so you keep the 0.8 tibia to femur ratio afterwards.

What sort of long term health problems are you referring to? Cheers
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LG1816

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #20 on: September 06, 2023, 08:46:54 PM »

Absolutely not.  Quad is for giga short people or those doing absurd lengths.  You're 5'8.5 and talking about a modest amount.  Just do femurs if you really want to do this.  Your proportions will look fine.

Thanks, guess I should really do some mock ups.
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slowed & reverb

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #21 on: September 06, 2023, 10:55:46 PM »

he is referring to premature arthritis hence i wont ever do only one segment for 8 cms, but some people just want their suffering to start in their 40s i guess. The more youre gonna lift, the bigger the problems:)
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GrowGrow123

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Re: Question about single segment vs quad lengthening
« Reply #22 on: September 06, 2023, 11:08:24 PM »

he is referring to premature arthritis hence i wont ever do only one segment for 8 cms, but some people just want their suffering to start in their 40s i guess. The more youre gonna lift, the bigger the problems:)

The study you are likely referring to is this one:

https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-023-03720-w

However, this only applies to an increased Tibia:Femur ratio. Doing 8cm on your femur does the exact opposite. It decreases the Tibia:Femur ratio. The conclusions of this study are thus not applicable.

Fwiw, the top LL surgeons don't believe there is much of a long-term issue with lengthening just the femurs. However, until we have solid long-term data 30-50 years from now from cosmetic leg lengthening patients specifically, we also can't definitively conclude that.


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Starting Height: 5' 9.5"
Current Height: 6' 0.5"
Wing Span: 6' 2"
Method: Precise 2.2 Femurs
Surgery Date: March 2023
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