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[LG1816]

Non-union, fat embolism, amputation, and even death. I haven't had this surgery done yet, but I was wondering for those who have done it, how did you get over these fears?

I feel I'm constantly wrestling with the idea that I could either die or be crippled from this -- of how ridiculous it would be to die or lose a leg to get taller. These risks are rare, but not vanishingly rare.

At the same time, height neurosis sucks, with no established 'cure' other than getting the surgery. I would undeniably be happier after I've had it, but pondering on the potential risks is really getting to me.

How did you make the decision and cope with the reality?
Thanks!

[Mondlicht]

That depends on many factors, different from person to person. However, these risks are very rare, and with a good surgeon almost zero.

[HateLAPELoveSTEM]

The risks are being hyperbolized by ignorants of this topic. If you got the surgery done by a reputable surgeon the possibility of getting crippled or other serious complications would be lower than the one of getting killed by a plane/car crash

[Japan_Man_NYC]

I don't go on this forum often. But here is my leg lengthening surgery (LLS) risk/reward analysis. Those two posters above me didn't even the dang question.

It's normal to fear this surgery. This surgery comes with multitude of lingering complications if you don't do your due diligence, and pick the best surgeons and physiotherapists. I won't be naming all the complications on this post, but complications like Femoral retroversion or external tibial torsion, Low fibula cuts, X-legs, and wide legs (malalignments) will require a 2nd surgery to fix. In fact majority of the leg lengthening patients I have spoken to have to undergo another 2nd surgery to straighten out their legs and relocate their rotator hips. This is due to discrepancy and uneven weight distribution on their knees and ankles. This is bound to happen as your leg lengthens. So be mindful.

Another thing is: You are voluntarily maiming yourself. You're basically walking into the hospital completely normal and coming out crippled is that I meant. That's scary.
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Now that we got that aside. Let's talk for real. THE WORST THING ABOUT BEING SHORT IS THE FACT THAT OTHER PEOPLE (AND YOURSELF) SEE YOURSELF AS A CHILD, A KID. You can be 30 years old, 40, you are small, a baby. Still a kid. Confidences cannot over ride this. Bc at the end of the day you are small.

As a man or men, height is king. The media loves to sell us the bs of short-king. Ain't no fking short kings. Short men gets picked on, often the laughing stock in a group, get disrespected by other women and men, and gets pay less than taller men. And when short men are competent and qualified they are called out for being overbearing and a try hard.

When you do leg lengthening surgery you are essentially paying for increased social status from physical presence. Being taller makes your life easier. From veteran (difficult) mode to recruit (easy) mode. That in itself is valuable.

And my tip to get over your fear of complications is to pick a reputable doctor, and think about the end goal of increased social status.

Hope this helped.

[tallmen]

The risks are being hyperbolized by ignorants of this topic. If you got the surgery done by a reputable surgeon the possibility of getting crippled or other serious complications would be lower than the one of getting killed by a plane/car crash

This is incorrect.

[Kintaeryos]

This is incorrect.

Yeah based on what I've read the risks of LL, assuming you do everything correctly, are within acceptable ranges for me, but that low? Hell no, I wish. It's definitely no lasik or rhino.

[Mondlicht]

There are risks everywhere in life. Of course, this is not an easy surgery. Risks that can occur include: reduced mobility, early arthritis, muscle nerve damage and much more. Even fat embolism...But still that varies from person to person genetic to genetic. In my opinion, a generalization is not possible here. If you smoke a lot for example, the risk of non-union is increased (but it doesn't have to be). However, I have to agree with those above me - this surgery is not easy. Complications will probably arise, the only question is how severe and whether they can be treated

[AllinStryde]

I can't really add to what Japan Man NYC said.  He nailed it all.  But I'll say this...The biggest fear of a complication I had was the fear of never doing CLL.  I wasn't able to do it  until I was 39.  I had lived a great portion of my life as a short guy, and I already knew how much it sucked.  I went through with it.   I won't tell anyone not to get it done, but to be honest...looking back, an individual is going to see the most benefit having done it in their early 20's.  This includes better healing, a longer time to actually enjoy being taller, and of course one of the big things here is the benefits of dating.  When you're young and in your early 20's you have so many things ahead of you in the dating world.  Everyone is virtually singe and available, etc.  When I got this done at 39, everyone I basically knew and in my circle was already paired up, married, had a family, etc.  So yeah...get it done earlier. 

[Kintaeryos]

I can't really add to what Japan Man NYC said.  He nailed it all.  But I'll say this...The biggest fear of a complication I had was the fear of never doing CLL.  I wasn't able to do it  until I was 39.  I had lived a great portion of my life as a short guy, and I already knew how much it sucked.  I went through with it.   I won't tell anyone not to get it done, but to be honest...looking back, an individual is going to see the most benefit having done it in their early 20's.  This includes better healing, a longer time to actually enjoy being taller, and of course one of the big things here is the benefits of dating.  When you're young and in your early 20's you have so many things ahead of you in the dating world.  Everyone is virtually singe and available, etc.  When I got this done at 39, everyone I basically knew and in my circle was already paired up, married, had a family, etc.  So yeah...get it done earlier.

I agree, there comes an age where it starts to stop being worth it (depending on what you want in life ofc, even at 39 you'll get benefits it's not like your life is over), but unfortunately it's impossible for most guys to be able to afford the good doctors by their early 20s.

[tallmen]

You don't.

[CLLvet]

I agree with the prior posters. Find a reputable doctor. Ask to speak to his former patients who have undergone the surgery. That will give you a sense of how he handles potential complications. If the doctor has a problem-solving mindset, is responsive, experienced, and has a well-staffed operation, that should reduce the risks of most of the complications that can arise from this procedure.

Also, interview your surgeon personally and see how he/she responds to your concerns. What vibe does he give off? What does your gut tell you? Is the surgeon competent and caring? How available is he to address issues that may spring up?

When you ask questions about complications, does he brush them off and invalidate them? Or does he go into detail addressing the things you are asking? He should be doing most of the talking during the consult/ interview. He should be saying technical things that you may even have trouble understanding (that is a green flag). Write those things down, research them yourself after the call.

Those are just some general tips. I feel that speaking to the doctor and speaking to his former patients is one of the best things you can do to help guide your decisionmaking. At the end of the day, no surgeon (not even the top tier ones like Paley, etc) manage to completely avoid complications for their patients. Instead, focus on how these surgeons handle these complications so that the issue doesn't morph into something catastrophic.