Limb Lengthening Forum
Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Discussions => Topic started by: jimmy4 on September 01, 2019, 10:14:20 PM
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Hello everyone,
I am brand new to this forum..I hope this post can become a place where people who have had the surgery successfully can share info and give advice to those of us who are struggling to find the right doctors and are perhaps apprehensive to move forward with the surgery.
I am from the US and the LL surgery is entirely too expensive here, my price range is 30-40k USD. This is for the surgery and accommodations. I've worked very hard saving up for this, and attempting to prepare myself mentally and physically for the surgery as much I can the past couple years or so. I am 22 years old, and I've essentially put my life on hold so that I might have this surgery. I've had a lot of trouble contacting surgeons from other countries, for example, India, Russia, Italy and so on. I feel like I've done everything I can up to this point to prepare myself, I just now need to have real contact with a reliable doctor to actually make this happen.
Not sure if anyone can relate to this, but since I was 13/14 years old I've steadily added more insoles/filling to my shoes (high top sneaker and boots only) to fake the appearance of a growth spurt, none of my friends or family have seen me without shoes on in approximately 8 years. I know this sounds crazy..They all believe me to be about 3 inches taller than I really am. It has held me back in life a lot, my feet nearly always hurt..I quit playing basketball because of back pain with the insoles.. I miss swimming, feeling sand on my toes, comfortably walking around barefoot around other people. This surgery will change my life. It will truly offer me freedom.
Anyone who reads this will be the first people I have ever told this story too.. Please offer advice about where to locate the names and contact information of reliable, affordable surgeons who will actually read my emails and welcome me to there country (lol). Thank you all for reading, sorry this was so long!!
-Jimmy
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Hi Jimmy,
Thank you for coming onto these forums and being honest and sharing your situation. I want to tell you that many men of short stature, especially, relate to exactly what you are describing. You mentioned lifting yourself 3 inches; I've seen men add insoles in their boots to even higher heights, 5+ inches. It's a debilitating situation and I'm glad to see you're pursuing answers to your questions. May I ask you..what is your height?
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Hey Jimmy,
Wow man, I really feel you here. I will say this, the cheapest route you can go is with Dr. Giotikas, utilizing Stryde no less. It is about 50k for femurs up to 8cm / 55k for tibia up to 6m (or whatever is reasonably safe). I have visited him, he seems to be very professional and looking to mitigate risk wherever possible. You will likely stay in Athens, Greece for the distraction phase. Not a bad place to be. I think this is by far the best option cost wise, as well as enjoying life. Aside from the 50k, the other expenses involve things like transportation, your flight, clothes, entertainment, etc. Stryde, now that it is available, is such a game changer that all other options can not even be considered. You don't want to be bedridden for months, that would be depressing. Get in, get out, regain your life after a short "vacation". I'm 23, 165cm and I hope to gain 6-7cm on tibias and call it a day. Good luck.
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Hey Jimmy,
Wow man, I really feel you here. I will say this, the cheapest route you can go is with Dr. Giotikas, utilizing Stryde no less. It is about 50k for femurs up to 8cm / 55k for tibia up to 6m (or whatever is reasonably safe). I have visited him, he seems to be very professional and looking to mitigate risk wherever possible. You will likely stay in Athens, Greece for the distraction phase. Not a bad place to be. I think this is by far the best option cost wise, as well as enjoying life. Aside from the 50k, the other expenses involve things like transportation, your flight, clothes, entertainment, etc. Stryde, now that it is available, is such a game changer that all other options can not even be considered. You don't want to be bedridden for months, that would be depressing. Get in, get out, regain your life after a short "vacation". I'm 23, 165cm and I hope to gain 6-7cm on tibias and call it a day. Good luck.
hi Throwaway12. Im thinking about going to him too. When are you planning to get your done ?
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Jimmy I salute you for having saved up 40K at such an early age, but I'd save up just a bit more to be able to do stryde femurs, I understand you're on a budget but I guess the most budget friendly strydes option is Dr. Giotikas in greece , I myself and IFS went to Mahoubian in Hollywood. whatever you decide good luck bro, feel free to reach out ask me any questions, I was in your shoes once, saved up and thank god was able to afford to do it in the US, 23 years old and officially one month post op and can walk around my house unassisted.. penguien steps yeah but pretty effective lol
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Hey guys, thanks for offering support and advice. It means a lot to even be able to talk to people going through the same thing. I will keep you all posted as I continue to search out the best options for me. Cheers.
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Beginning January 2020 ;)
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Hey guys, thanks for offering support and advice. It means a lot to even be able to talk to people going through the same thing. I will keep you all posted as I continue to search out the best options for me. Cheers.
Hi i dm'd you, if u are new to using forum its up in messages.