Limb Lengthening Forum

Limb Lengthening Surgery => Limb Lengthening Patients Experiences => Topic started by: azman on September 12, 2019, 08:01:36 PM

Title: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on September 12, 2019, 08:01:36 PM
Hey Everyone,

In Athens and had my CLL surgery, meet another Dr. Giotikas patient that did the same surgery and it turn out we became good friends, Planning.  Each day we push and encourage each other, plus getting into mischief with the staff at the Theseus.

I’m not planning to load my dairy till my lengthening is complete, but I’m keeping a personal daily dairy of my experience and might post the whole thing all at once when I’m complete.

There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true.
Planning is the first dairy on this forum for Stryde and as I too were worry on Dr. Giotikas experience with Stryde since there was no dairy, all the worries went away after meeting a couple of current Dr. Giotikas Stryde patients prior to my surgery.

Have met another Dr. Giotikas Stryde chinese girl patient at the Theseus during PT and she is doing good after 6cm of lengthening. 

The moment before the surgery, before you are wheel into the OR, just remember that you were able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down just to name a few.  The moment someone tap you on your shoulder and say your surgery was a success, but you have no idea that it already happened.  Remember about being able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down, all that goes away, but not forever depending on the success of surgery and recovery.  Just have to retrain your body to do it all over again, cause your mind remember and know just 6 hours before you were able to and now your lower body won’t allow you to.

Overall the experience is awesome and the recovery is better than expected.  Well I’ll 99% focus on lengthening and recovery, so I will not be posting till my lengthening is done.
My dairy will mainly be on my experience since no matter what you read on pain level, recovery and complications, it will never be 100% of what you will experience if you have this surgery, cause this surgery is NOT for the weak, but can be worth it!!!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: wannagrowtaller on September 12, 2019, 09:12:21 PM
Good luck to you, azman. Smart decision to take care of your recovery first and of diary later. If it's not bothersome, you could post some videos of you walking/running/jumping/lifting after your recovery.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: asian on September 15, 2019, 10:09:21 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Cpl2012 on September 16, 2019, 12:15:17 AM
Hope everything is going all well for and good luck with the recovery. You are so brave going under the surgery by yourself.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Nestor on September 16, 2019, 10:14:47 AM
Where are you from azman, if you don't mind me asking?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: TallerVL on September 16, 2019, 07:29:20 PM
Thank you for your sharing, I really appreciate it! Because I had the same worries about Dr. Giotikas, like what you mentioned, his patients didn’t share their experiences in this forum, and we had no idea what he’s like. But now we do!!! I personally live in Germany, kinda swinging between Dr. Betz and Dr. Giotikas, after reading many diaries, I’ve decided that Stryde is my first choice. Good luck with the clicking, recovering and everything!! I’m really looking forward to your new diary!!!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Cpl2012 on September 25, 2019, 07:45:06 PM
Have not heard anymore update from you here or on IG either. Hope you are  doing all well
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on September 27, 2019, 06:36:35 PM
Sorry I think you are referring to my friend Planning, he has an IG set up and if you look at one of his video I’m in it when we were both at the hospital.   We are both doing great, just very busy with PT, lengthening 4x per day, and etc.   You can reply to his IG or on his diary. 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Heightmare on September 27, 2019, 08:24:28 PM
Dr Giotikas is shaping up to be one of the best in the field it seems.
I pray he doesn't become extremely expensive like Paley however
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Cpl2012 on September 27, 2019, 10:15:31 PM
Sorry I think you are referring to my friend Planning, he has an IG set up and if you look at one of his video I’m in it when we were both at the hospital.   We are both doing great, just very busy with PT, lengthening 4x per day, and etc.   You can reply to his IG or on his diary.
Lol i thought it is your IG. It is great to hear you are doing well. Good luck with your recovery journey and i beg you will :) cant wait see your progress
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 17, 2019, 04:44:28 PM
Hi All,

A quick update.
Today is the 1/2 way point of our lengthening journey and we are at 4cm and 40mm to go!!!

Will post another update at the end of my 8cm goal lengthening journey.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Movie on October 17, 2019, 07:42:11 PM
Congrats azman! brace yourself for 5cms+ some nerve pains and soft tissue stretching pains might appear lol keep going bro
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Andy on October 18, 2019, 07:19:15 AM
Hi Azman and congrats on your progress !!! How has it been, difficulties,problems etc?... Is it harder than what you believed before surgery or not?...Would you do it again or not?
Hang in there and tell us more when you can.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 18, 2019, 09:39:42 PM
Congrats azman! brace yourself for 5cms+ some nerve pains and soft tissue stretching pains might appear lol keep going bro

Thanks Movie
Thank you for all your advises and yea it’s surreal that just in July we were talking about doing LL and now we’re both in lengthening phase. 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 18, 2019, 09:55:59 PM
Hi Azman and congrats on your progress !!! How has it been, difficulties,problems etc?... Is it harder than what you believed before surgery or not?...Would you do it again or not?
Hang in there and tell us more when you can.

Hey Andy,
It’s been good for both me and Planning.  We both just so busy with PTs 5x a week and lengthening 4x per day.  No major problems, knock on wood, just minor pain here and there. Dr. Giotikas and Dr. Giannakos are awesome.  We have follow up appointments every 2 weeks and X-ray to see our progress.
Oh sleep is probably the hardest things for me.  My legs get restless and does not like being in one position for longer than an hour and I toss and turn all night, but it’s getting better with each passing night.  My body get tired after PT due to walking to the Theseus from my AirBnb apartment about 400m away so I walk about 800m per day on crutches M-F.
Well it’s not harder than I believe before the surgery but I was not totally ready for everything but I guess who can be.
Knowing what I know now, I will totally do it again but I’ll be more prepared.
Hope this help. 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Nestor on October 21, 2019, 07:52:35 PM
Hi Azman, congrats on your progress! What sort of things would you advise to be more prepared for?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 21, 2019, 11:12:13 PM
Hi Azman, congrats on your progress! What sort of things would you advise to be more prepared for?

Well it really depends if you are planning to stay at home or stay away from home during the lengthening phase.  I wished I would have read IFS dairy completely before doing LL, his dairy is really complete and has a lot of good information. So to answer your question, I refer you to IFS dairy.

From your posts, I had the same feelings about Dr. G prior to during the LL.  I did a lot of research on him and have contacted Nuvasive directly on Dr. G certification.  I’m really glad I chose him and the surgery was a success.  There are currently 3 others patients that have done femurs with Stryde and all of us are doing PTs at the Theseus.  Please don’t not take this as a suggestion, just information and please do your own research before picking your surgeon.  This is a big surgery and a life changing one.

Hope this help.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: dreamingtall on October 21, 2019, 11:57:50 PM
Azman,

I know you are waiting to post your journal, but I do think you should give us some more updates as you go because its not only informative for us but it'll be cathartic for you.... Personally I'm only 23 and planning to complete this with Dr. G in a few years... my goal and hope is to travel to athens and stay in the country for 3 months... I am planning to get to 8cm but think I may want to finish the end of the lengthening/consolidation in the states... I think 3 months is an ample amount of time to get the 3 inches I want to get and potentially have a few more lengthening sessions back in the states mainly to get back to my career... I want to know if this type of plan is acceptable with Dr. G and if you're experience is similar... for example I don't know if you're from Europe or from USA.. I think the price and the skill of Dr. G is unbeatable and it seems to me that 1 inch = 33 days of lengthening ... atleast at .75 mm/day.... 26 days lengthening per inch at 1mm/day.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: TwinMusicom on October 22, 2019, 06:50:27 AM
Hey Everyone,

In Athens and had my CLL surgery, meet another Dr. Giotikas patient that did the same surgery and it turn out we became good friends, Planning.  Each day we push and encourage each other, plus getting into mischief with the staff at the Theseus.

I’m not planning to load my dairy till my lengthening is complete, but I’m keeping a personal daily dairy of my experience and might post the whole thing all at once when I’m complete.

There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true.
Planning is the first dairy on this forum for Stryde and as I too were worry on Dr. Giotikas experience with Stryde since there was no dairy, all the worries went away after meeting a couple of current Dr. Giotikas Stryde patients prior to my surgery.

Have met another Dr. Giotikas Stryde chinese girl patient at the Theseus during PT and she is doing good after 6cm of lengthening. 

The moment before the surgery, before you are wheel into the OR, just remember that you were able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down just to name a few.  The moment someone tap you on your shoulder and say your surgery was a success, but you have no idea that it already happened.  Remember about being able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down, all that goes away, but not forever depending on the success of surgery and recovery.  Just have to retrain your body to do it all over again, cause your mind remember and know just 6 hours before you were able to and now your lower body won’t allow you to.

Overall the experience is awesome and the recovery is better than expected.  Well I’ll 99% focus on lengthening and recovery, so I will not be posting till my lengthening is done.
My dairy will mainly be on my experience since no matter what you read on pain level, recovery and complications, it will never be 100% of what you will experience if you have this surgery, cause this surgery is NOT for the weak, but can be worth it!!!

Thanks for making this!

1. What is Theseus in "There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true." I googled it, seems to be the name of a Greek hero. Is Theseus the name of the hospital location he uses?

2. What are the most negative things out doing leg lengthening with Dr. Giotikas and doing lengthening in Greece (I guess you are staying in Athens)?

3. Did you find a caretaker on your own or did you use a facility that has caretakers? What did you use?

4. Is the internet very slow there in general in Athens? (Small point, but just curious)
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 22, 2019, 12:55:16 PM
Azman,

I know you are waiting to post your journal, but I do think you should give us some more updates as you go because its not only informative for us but it'll be cathartic for you.... Personally I'm only 23 and planning to complete this with Dr. G in a few years... my goal and hope is to travel to athens and stay in the country for 3 months... I am planning to get to 8cm but think I may want to finish the end of the lengthening/consolidation in the states... I think 3 months is an ample amount of time to get the 3 inches I want to get and potentially have a few more lengthening sessions back in the states mainly to get back to my career... I want to know if this type of plan is acceptable with Dr. G and if you're experience is similar... for example I don't know if you're from Europe or from USA.. I think the price and the skill of Dr. G is unbeatable and it seems to me that 1 inch = 33 days of lengthening ... atleast at .75 mm/day.... 26 days lengthening per inch at 1mm/day.

Dreamingtall

It’s nice to know other user can tell other user what to do or post without them asking for their suggestion.  “but it'll be cathartic for you” really Dr. Dreamingtall
Not to sound rude or anything, but to answer your question...
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 22, 2019, 12:59:55 PM
Thanks for making this!

1. What is Theseus in "There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true." I googled it, seems to be the name of a Greek hero. Is Theseus the name of the hospital location he uses? === No, the Theseus is where we do PT

2. What are the most negative things out doing leg lengthening with Dr. Giotikas and doing lengthening in Greece (I guess you are staying in Athens)? === being alone in my apartment

3. Did you find a caretaker on your own or did you use a facility that has caretakers? What did you use? === not using any caretaker

4. Is the internet very slow there in general in Athens? (Small point, but just curious)
=== no it’s good enough for videos and gaming.

Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: TwinMusicom on October 22, 2019, 01:37:42 PM
=== no it’s good enough for videos and gaming.

Thanks! What are your thoughts on choosing the place to stay and a caretaker?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Great321 on October 22, 2019, 01:49:54 PM
my wifi connections were really good though. I played PS4 (online) and watched youtube and netflix with no problems. So it depends on where you stay.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: TwinMusicom on October 22, 2019, 02:05:55 PM
my wifi connections were really good though. I played PS4 (online) and watched youtube and netflix with no problems. So it depends on where you stay.

1. Do you know anyone who went with MESKA (as from the doctor's main thread described at the bottom of this post)? What did they think?

2. I'm trying to figure out if wheelchair accessible rooms are much safer / beneficial even for STRYDE patients and if MESKA has them. Did you consider wheelchair accessible rooms (holding bars, etc)?

3. Its odd, he says that "hotel rooms" are "inexpensive options" - what are your thoughts on going with a hotel near the hospital in terms of price versus benefit?

7.   I have read about MESKA (Mediterranean rehabilitation Centre), how long can you stay there and how much does it cost per month? Are there inexpensive places a patient can stay safely close to your clinic?
MESKA costs approximately 200Euro/day but includes full board meals, hydrotherapy, daily physiotherapy, transportations etc. There are indeed  inexpensive options for accommodation (hotel rooms and Airbnb apartments) near to our clinic.

Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: CodyTheDog on October 24, 2019, 12:22:34 PM
Azman,

I know you are waiting to post your journal, but I do think you should give us some more updates as you go because its not only informative for us but it'll be cathartic for you.... Personally I'm only 23 and planning to complete this with Dr. G in a few years... my goal and hope is to travel to athens and stay in the country for 3 months... I am planning to get to 8cm but think I may want to finish the end of the lengthening/consolidation in the states... I think 3 months is an ample amount of time to get the 3 inches I want to get and potentially have a few more lengthening sessions back in the states mainly to get back to my career... I want to know if this type of plan is acceptable with Dr. G and if you're experience is similar... for example I don't know if you're from Europe or from USA.. I think the price and the skill of Dr. G is unbeatable and it seems to me that 1 inch = 33 days of lengthening ... atleast at .75 mm/day.... 26 days lengthening per inch at 1mm/day.

Hey Man,

1. Out of curiosity, I believe that Americans can stay in greece for a max of 90s days without a VISA. Do you plan to apply for a VISA just in case something happens and you need to stay longer? I guess you do have a 4 day buffer if you exclude the surgery day


2. If a complication happened and maybe you needed to lengthen more slowly to deal with it, what steps do you think you would take?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: dreamingtall on October 25, 2019, 12:50:54 AM
damn ok
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 25, 2019, 01:44:28 PM
damn ok

Dreamingtall

To answer your question, Dr. Giotikas informed me during one of our online consultation that 3months is enough time to lengthen 8cm prior to my surgery unless there is a complication. He has us lengthening 4x per day at 0.25mm each time for 1mm per day.  If your bone consolidation is good he will prescribe 5x per day for 1.25mm.  If you are coming from the US, he will not allow you to lengthen at home maybe due to the fact that he want to have his patients to  stay in Athens so they are close by so he can better mentor them or if complications happen plus the ERC unit is a rental so you’ll have to return it once lengthening is complete.

There was a guy from Mexico that did 8cm within 3 months with Dr. Giotikas and I’m shooting for the same time frame.

Hope this help.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: dreamingtall on October 26, 2019, 02:25:25 AM
Dreamingtall

To answer your question, Dr. Giotikas informed me during one of our online consultation that 3months is enough time to lengthen 8cm prior to my surgery unless there is a complication. He has us lengthening 4x per day at 0.25mm each time for 1mm per day.  If your bone consolidation is good he will prescribe 5x per day for 1.25mm.  If you are coming from the US, he will not allow you to lengthen at home maybe due to the fact that he want to have his patients to  stay in Athens so they are close by so he can better mentor them or if complications happen plus the ERC unit is a rental so you’ll have to return it once lengthening is complete.

There was a guy from Mexico that did 8cm within 3 months with Dr. Giotikas and I’m shooting for the same time frame.

Hope this help.

This helped certainly. I'm trying to just align finances to have this done..but ill definitely account for 4 months
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: SpeedDialer on October 30, 2019, 09:58:21 PM
Hey Everyone,

In Athens and had my CLL surgery, meet another Dr. Giotikas patient that did the same surgery and it turn out we became good friends, Planning.  Each day we push and encourage each other, plus getting into mischief with the staff at the Theseus.

I’m not planning to load my dairy till my lengthening is complete, but I’m keeping a personal daily dairy of my experience and might post the whole thing all at once when I’m complete.

There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true.
Planning is the first dairy on this forum for Stryde and as I too were worry on Dr. Giotikas experience with Stryde since there was no dairy, all the worries went away after meeting a couple of current Dr. Giotikas Stryde patients prior to my surgery.

Have met another Dr. Giotikas Stryde chinese girl patient at the Theseus during PT and she is doing good after 6cm of lengthening. 

The moment before the surgery, before you are wheel into the OR, just remember that you were able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down just to name a few.  The moment someone tap you on your shoulder and say your surgery was a success, but you have no idea that it already happened.  Remember about being able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down, all that goes away, but not forever depending on the success of surgery and recovery.  Just have to retrain your body to do it all over again, cause your mind remember and know just 6 hours before you were able to and now your lower body won’t allow you to.

Overall the experience is awesome and the recovery is better than expected.  Well I’ll 99% focus on lengthening and recovery, so I will not be posting till my lengthening is done.
My dairy will mainly be on my experience since no matter what you read on pain level, recovery and complications, it will never be 100% of what you will experience if you have this surgery, cause this surgery is NOT for the weak, but can be worth it!!!

1. So there are two sites he does surgeries in?
Athens and also Theseus?

2. What are the best reasons to choose one or the other if one isn't from either city?

3. What objects would you buy / stuff would you have ordered to your place during the process? I had some thoughts that it may be difficult to transport/open certain packages if one is wheelchair bound

Thanks!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: SpeedDialer on October 31, 2019, 11:39:48 AM
Hey Everyone,

In Athens and had my CLL surgery, meet another Dr. Giotikas patient that did the same surgery and it turn out we became good friends, Planning.  Each day we push and encourage each other, plus getting into mischief with the staff at the Theseus.

I’m not planning to load my dairy till my lengthening is complete, but I’m keeping a personal daily dairy of my experience and might post the whole thing all at once when I’m complete.

There are a few rumors going around about the PT not be good at Theseus, not true.
Planning is the first dairy on this forum for Stryde and as I too were worry on Dr. Giotikas experience with Stryde since there was no dairy, all the worries went away after meeting a couple of current Dr. Giotikas Stryde patients prior to my surgery.

Have met another Dr. Giotikas Stryde chinese girl patient at the Theseus during PT and she is doing good after 6cm of lengthening. 

The moment before the surgery, before you are wheel into the OR, just remember that you were able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down just to name a few.  The moment someone tap you on your shoulder and say your surgery was a success, but you have no idea that it already happened.  Remember about being able to walk, run, jump, sit up, and sit down, all that goes away, but not forever depending on the success of surgery and recovery.  Just have to retrain your body to do it all over again, cause your mind remember and know just 6 hours before you were able to and now your lower body won’t allow you to.

Overall the experience is awesome and the recovery is better than expected.  Well I’ll 99% focus on lengthening and recovery, so I will not be posting till my lengthening is done.
My dairy will mainly be on my experience since no matter what you read on pain level, recovery and complications, it will never be 100% of what you will experience if you have this surgery, cause this surgery is NOT for the weak, but can be worth it!!!

1. Hey, I heard on another thread that someone had said that physical therapy with Dr. Giotikas was no good. What are your thoughts on the physical therapy you've had?

2. Just to help me visualize how things usually go, what are some example things that the physical therapist can help you with that one cannot do alone?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: dreamBig on May 13, 2020, 04:46:03 AM
hi azman, hope everything is going well with you. You must be in the consolidation phase now, it will be nice to hear some update from you.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: MirinHeight on May 15, 2020, 03:21:32 AM
any update azman
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on May 15, 2020, 06:22:23 AM
Hey

Life is good despite the lock down.  My walk are back to 💯 normal and I’m able to run lightly but the mechanics are still off.  I guess my recovery is similar to Movies.
This is the best decision I ever made in my life.  Wished I would have done it sooner. 
Planning to get my rods out in Jan or Feb of next year and maybe heading back to Dr. G to do my Tibias in August, but it’s really depends on my living situation at that time.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Movie on May 15, 2020, 06:30:53 AM
haha I hear ya bro! Jogging is pretty good now, but sprinting the body is still adjusting and trying to figure out how it can do this the most optimal way with the added length lol, but it's getting there. are you planning to remove them with Giotikas as well?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on May 22, 2020, 01:15:28 AM
haha I hear ya bro! Jogging is pretty good now, but sprinting the body is still adjusting and trying to figure out how it can do this the most optimal way with the added length lol, but it's getting there. are you planning to remove them with Giotikas as well?

I’m have them remove in the state since my insurance cover the removal operation. 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: ujin0101 on May 22, 2020, 03:03:21 AM
Hi azman, I just sent you a message. Please kindly check it out. Thank you!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Movie on May 22, 2020, 08:18:31 AM
Oh really would you mind PMing me more info on that bro please? I wanna see if my healthcare can cover it too.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: snowpiecer on May 22, 2020, 10:35:09 AM
Hey Azman! If you could share how did you get your insurance to cover the rod removal surgery that'll be really nice.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on May 25, 2020, 02:32:34 AM
Hey Azman! If you could share how did you get your insurance to cover the rod removal surgery that'll be really nice.

Basically I call member service and informed them about my situation, I have Kaiser.  They told me that the rods needed to be remove by 2years and it’s cover under my plan since it’s not considered an aesthetic surgery.  My primary doctor ordered the X-ray and referred me to the orthopedic surgeon that I wanted to see.  I got the name of the orthopedic surgeon that did this kind of surgery from a member on this forum.  The only cost I need to pay is my co-pay. 
Hope this help.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Bala on June 13, 2020, 01:43:43 AM
Sorry I think you are referring to my friend Planning, he has an IG set up and if you look at one of his video I’m in it when we were both at the hospital.   We are both doing great, just very busy with PT, lengthening 4x per day, and etc.   You can reply to his IG or on his diary.

Can you help with the link to your friend's diary or his IG
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: spartacusforhimself on June 20, 2020, 07:59:47 PM
Amzn congratulation and we are happy the thing is getting on weel I wish we will be in your place now. I will have a surgery with giotikas this tuesday. You said you ordered food on line. I arrive yestrday. Can you give me more suggestion? if you remeber website or so on?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on June 21, 2020, 01:20:18 AM
Amzn congratulation and we are happy the thing is getting on weel I wish we will be in your place now. I will have a surgery with giotikas this tuesday. You said you ordered food on line. I arrive yestrday. Can you give me more suggestion? if you remeber website or so on?

I used the app eFresh for groceries and eFood for restaurants, both deliver to you and can load a credit card so you won’t have to deal with euros.  For taxi, I used the app call Beat.
If you are by yourself and didn’t hire anyone to help you around after you get discharge, I would suggest you load up on groceries, like food that don’t need much work or energy to prepare.  The first week after discharge can be challenging without any help but very doable.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: k1erz on July 06, 2020, 07:51:17 AM
Hi Azman

How are things going for you now?

Any new updates?

I’ve also been reading through this post and wasn’t able to find your starting height.

What’s the best thing about your new height too?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Gman23 on July 06, 2020, 08:59:31 PM
Looking forward to your diary could you please tell me the cost of the surgery also how much you are lengthening? Thank you, I wish you all the best and a fast recovery
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on July 09, 2020, 09:14:30 AM
Hi Azman

How are things going for you now?

Any new updates?

I’ve also been reading through this post and wasn’t able to find your starting height.

What’s the best thing about your new height too?

Things are good.  Just waiting till this Coronavirus thing die down.  We’re still in shelter in place.  I’m physically able to run but was advised to just jog and no jumping till I remove the rod, hopefully at the beginning of 2021. Best thing about my new height is that I’m no longer the shortest person in my group of friends and I no longer have to think about all the what if’s and worries about CLL.  Nowadays I laughed from time to time about all the stupid stuff I tried to gain temporary 2cm.  Surprisingly, I actually met some really cool people during my lengthening which I still keep in touch with.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on July 09, 2020, 09:17:27 AM
Looking forward to your diary could you please tell me the cost of the surgery also how much you are lengthening? Thank you, I wish you all the best and a fast recovery

Sorry but I think you’re  probably referring to Spartacusforhimself.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: Gman23 on July 09, 2020, 06:49:22 PM
Sorry but I think you’re  probably referring to Spartacusforhimself.

What do you mean? I am asking you how much money it cost you for the surgery ???
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: more on July 28, 2020, 07:11:35 PM
Hi
Very  impresive diary , glad to know your walking is normal , no complications , Good callus,
but i think one thing is missing in your diary ,How much did you get? previously you said your target is 8cm ,did you achive your target ,
Thanks
my best wishes with you
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: TwinMusicom on August 29, 2020, 01:10:56 AM
Is Giotikas in Greece cheaper than Downey in Spain?

What are the other pros/cons of the two?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on August 29, 2020, 04:24:58 AM
Is Giotikas in Greece cheaper than Downey in Spain?

What are the other pros/cons of the two?

Sorry but I have no information on Dr. Downey besides what already on this forum, since Dr. Downey was not on my list of doctors when I did my research before my CLL.  If I ever decide to do my tibias, Dr. G will be my first choice then Dr. L then Dr. P then Dr. R.  The pro/con of Dr. G for me was pro: it’s was a successful surgery and lengthening.  Con: The plane ride back to the US was painful especially if you have a window seat compare an aisle seat like I did. 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: AppleFanBoy on September 21, 2020, 05:09:08 PM
Hey Azman, how is your recovery going? Coming from a member who is going to Dr.Giotikas in a month!
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on September 21, 2020, 09:52:38 PM
Hey Azman, how is your recovery going? Coming from a member who is going to Dr.Giotikas in a month!

Legs feels great beside the off and on night pain that last one or two nights, but haven’t had those pain since 3weeks ago hopefully it’s don’t come back.

Are you doing your tibias or femurs?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: AppleFanBoy on September 22, 2020, 07:47:34 PM
That’s amazing news and I am doing femurs Stryde.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: ghkid2019 on September 22, 2020, 07:52:21 PM
Hello sir. Let us know your motivations for breaking your legs and suffering short term. What is your motivation sir. What is the problem before in life, and wat changed after sir. Thank you azzman. Thank you.

And you are azmen good sir
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: azman on October 13, 2020, 03:15:58 AM
Hello sir. Let us know your motivations for breaking your legs and suffering short term. What is your motivation sir. What is the problem before in life, and wat changed after sir. Thank you azzman. Thank you.

And you are azmen good sir

Didn't see this one and most of other post.  Well it all come down to me being tired of being short and was finally able to do something about it with permanent results. Pain can be temporary but suffering can be avoided.  Life before was an inner problem, but that didn't let it stop me from achieving what I wanted in life.  After, is an uplift in life and a sense of fulfilment.  And yes I am an Ass Man = Azman.

The real question is, will you be unfulfilled if you don't do CLL and have it stuck on your mind every day, every hour or worst every minute of your day? 
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: ghkid2019 on October 13, 2020, 04:26:33 AM
Didn't see this one and most of other post.  Well it all come down to me being tired of being short and was finally able to do something about it with permanent results. Pain can be temporary but suffering can be avoided.  Life before was an inner problem, but that didn't let it stop me from achieving what I wanted in life.  After, is an uplift in life and a sense of fulfilment.  And yes I am an Ass Man = Azman.

The real question is, will you be unfulfilled if you don't do CLL and have it stuck on your mind every day, every hour or worst every minute of your day?

Thank you Glutius Maximus Man.

Jokes aside, yeah I definitely have thought about that. I thought about it I never found this forum it discovered precice nail internal. I think this discoveries just made me waste my time in life and got me going in terms of dealing with my height insecurity changed from: "I'll try to love myself and improve" to "I'll wait for the surgery instead of self-help or therapy"

In a way it is a double edge sword. I have wasted so much time here and now essentially think about my height on a 24/7 basis, something that wasn't the case before. It definitely propagated my height neurosis longer. Maybe not stronger, but definitely longer.

But at the time same time, I can say with certainty I will get this neurosis cured, because such a surgery exists. I could not say this with certainty before I discovered LL internal method. I do not know if I will just enjoy being an adult while feeling like a kid. A GHkid.

But now I have hope. It's almost guaranteed I'll get this though, and that's a bad thing to be hooked on or fixated on. But at least I am starting to get closure.
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: las vegas baby on October 13, 2020, 05:46:00 AM
This dilemna would not exist if leg length surgery became mainstream. Then you dont' have to look deep inside your psyche to understand if you need it or not, for YEARS! I still wish some of the folks in the medical community get this to show us that "it can be easily done to get a few inches" hey who doesn't want a few inches? except those at 6 foot already.

it still puzzles me why some of the people closest involved in leg length surgery: doctors, surgeons, people who do  research, people who make nails, these people didn't think "hey why dont' I just geti it for myself?"

like they understand leg length surgery inside and out and know its safe. and the world is superficial af. so why don't these people at least those on shorter spectrum get it done?
Title: Re: Bi-Femurs w/Stryde Dr. Giotikas Sept ‘19
Post by: exceeding2meters on October 14, 2020, 07:50:45 AM
This dilemna would not exist if leg length surgery became mainstream. Then you dont' have to look deep inside your psyche to understand if you need it or not, for YEARS! I still wish some of the folks in the medical community get this to show us that "it can be easily done to get a few inches" hey who doesn't want a few inches? except those at 6 foot already.

it still puzzles me why some of the people closest involved in leg length surgery: doctors, surgeons, people who do  research, people who make nails, these people didn't think "hey why dont' I just geti it for myself?"

like they understand leg length surgery inside and out and know its safe. and the world is superficial af. so why don't these people at least those on shorter spectrum get it done?

I don't think the surgery is safe. Imo a better way to put it is that it is possible to get a few inches without becoming a cripple for the next couple decades (do we have any veterans who are over 20 years after LL? ) while risking chronic pain and certainly losing significant athletic ability. After that, you weight what is more important. For me certainly the height.

Also it is better for this to not become mainstream. Then people (especially women) will be on the lookout for weird proportions and scars, and our life will get more difficult than it already is.