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[KrP1]

Hey cooper i sent you a pm

[Cooper]

Hey cooper i sent you a pm

Just respond to your PM. If you have more questions please ask.

[JourneyToTheEast]

Cooper, once the bandages come off, could you share pictures of your scars. I am interested to see what the scars look like.

[Cooper]

Cooper, once the bandages come off, could you share pictures of your scars. I am interested to see what the scars look like.

certainly my friend. Your wish is my command...lol

[YellowSpike]

Ok now I am starting to get really tempted and just suck it up and do tibias as much as I really don't want to...I just want like 4cm more...I honestly think I'd be happy at that point. Someday I will do tibias.

[Cooper]

Ok now I am starting to get really tempted and just suck it up and do tibias as much as I really don't want to...I just want like 4cm more...I honestly think I'd be happy at that point. Someday I will do tibias.

Oh shoot. Please do not get the wrong idea. I had tibia in mind ever since I decided to do LL. Few folks at WPM talked me down not to do it. I looked great blah...blah...blah. I was not even 5, 6" with first surgery. I had to do it.

[YellowSpike]

Oh shoot. Please do not get the wrong idea. I had tibia in mind ever since I decided to do LL. Few folks at WPM talked me down not to do it. I looked great blah...blah...blah. I was not even 5, 6" with first surgery. I had to do it.

Haha no not at all! I'm just more thinking that if some people can do LL twice, why not me? I'm now about 5'8"/173ish, and it's good, but I'd like another inch and a half more. I just want to be average and more in the "safe" zone. Dr. Inan and Monegal are both on my list for tibias.

How long is the time frame if I do 4cm with LON? I want this sh*t done as fast as possible.

[Cooper]

If you do LON. I think you will walk back in 2 months. usually for 6cm I have seen 3 months. I checked with few patient of Dr. Lee and the patient who did 6cm are walking in 3 months but somewhat limping.

You did femur with Dr. R, correct?

[YellowSpike]

If you do LON. I think you will walk back in 2 months. usually for 6cm I have seen 3 months. I checked with few patient of Dr. Lee and the patient who did 6cm are walking in 3 months but somewhat limping.

You did femur with Dr. R, correct?

I did 7cm on femurs with Dr Guichet. I was thinking of doing another 2.5cm on my femurs but I'm terrified the proportions will look awful at that point. So I've got to suck it up and somehow find 3 months to do LON within the next 2-3 years. The main issue for me is managing my career as I do this. Just want 4cm more.

[patientdad]

Cooper, does the rod stay inside after you are all done or does it come out?  How would you compare this method with the Precice 2 method?  Yes, the hospital food looks good, lol.

[Arche]

How much does Dr Monegal charge for LON? Also, could you please ask him his opinion on LON vs LATN vs LATP (lengthening and then plating) for 5 cm and a timeline of three months to remove frames?

Fantastic diary, I hope to soon have my tibias done and one day have my femurs as well. Great photos, and I know you'll do great!

[Ghostfish]

Hi Cooper

Congrats on your another LL journey!  You are the real LL hero.  It is not just because you have done two LL surgeries, but because you are willing to share your story and happy to help other members here perhaps outside as well.  After two surgeries, you will be definitely different and live in a very different life.  I am very happy for you!!   I really wish I could have done LL but had no chance so far.  But I will do it someday when the time is right.

I just have one question for you.  Since you have done a quite successful LL on femurs with Dr. Paley using Precise, why didn't you do tibia with him?  Is that mainly because of the better price with Dr. Monegal?  I also kind of see he is a Dr. who really cares about his patients.  But, I probably can't do ll with him because of limited time.

Anyway, any kind of your thought will be highly appreciated!

Wish you the best of LL journey! 

[Cooper]

Cooper, does the rod stay inside after you are all done or does it come out?  How would you compare this method with the Precice 2 method?  Yes, the hospital food looks good, lol.

It stays in for a year or two. Like precise the nail has to come out at some point but timing does not matter. It can be done via out patient surgery. The magnetic device of precise is bulky and one have to push harder to get to close proximity of precise rod.

The fitbone has small censor and goes on top of the skin. Both device is effective and precise --not ratcheting system, that is the best part! But fitbone has small wire comes through skin. Both are top notch and world class.

[Cooper]

How much does Dr Monegal charge for LON? Also, could you please ask him his opinion on LON vs LATN vs LATP (lengthening and then plating) for 5 cm and a timeline of three months to remove frames?

Fantastic diary, I hope to soon have my tibias done and one day have my femurs as well. Great photos, and I know you'll do great!

Arche- how you doing bro? I think it is about 19k euro. The price may be on his thread. I will check with him LATN vs LTAP.

I think 3 months time frame is doable for 5 cm.

[Cooper]

I just have one question for you.  Since you have done a quite successful LL on femurs with Dr. Paley using Precise, why didn't you do tibia with him?  Is that mainly because of the better price with Dr. Monegal?  I also kind of see he is a Dr. who really cares about his patients.  But, I probably can't do ll with him because of limited time.

Anyway, any kind of your thought will be highly appreciated!

Wish you the best of LL journey!

Ghostfish- thanks for your wishes. I will need lot of them  . I did not go to dr. Paley solely for the price. I thought about going back but didnot feel right to spend another $100k.

Plus dr. Monegal was everything I was looking for. Fine hospital in advance country, internal option and experience and caring doctor.

Dr. Paley is the most busiest surgeon I have seen in my life. When he came to my room he was flanked with 10/12 other people. He is celebrity doctor in my words. But you are in great hands of experts. All the complication is treatable and you will have safe lengthening. Cannot say the same for other doctor except dr. Rozbruch in my opinion. I am inquiring a lot regarding Dr. Monegal his experience in dealing complication.

But as far as caring dr. Monegal is in top chart. He comes close to dr. Jamal as far as caring and checking well being of the patient. I am still early to convincingly vouch my opinion. But what I have seen here I am impressed and very happy.

My flexion is 90 and extension is 0. Very happy with the result so far. Calve muscle is relatively tight but swollen has come down quite a bit.

[Cooper]

Day 6: have a good 5 hour sleep night. No pain just some stiffness in calves muscle. I did light stretching in bed in the morning. Asked nurse to bring ice. I am icing as I am writing this note.

Had a break fast and now waiting for my good physio. I might leave to MIC today. Really want to get out form here. I can stay couple more days if I request at no cost. But rather be with other LL friends at MIC.

I went outside the hospital porch first time yesterday evening. It felt good to be outside and breathe in open air.

[theuprising]

Hey cooper as you've been on the forum for ages I'm sure your aware of all the studies relating internal tibial nailing and permanent knee pain what made you decide to go with this option?

[Alittletooshort]

Didn't Dr. Monegal say something about a different way of cutting the bone below patella?
I don't want to quote him wrong but he was pretty confident that the knee pain is avoidable this way and that his patients don't suffer from this. At least that's what I remember him saying.

[JourneyToTheEast]

Another favor to ask of you Cooper: once you are at MIC, please let us know how reliable and speedy the internet connecion is (especially with VPN).

[TrueSpartan]

Thank you for your reply Cooper. You are right. I am absorbing all the information I am finding here. Reading/re reading and hopefully I plan to undergo this in 2 years; right after my graduation. I have started saving for it from now. Doctor Monegal seems promising in terms of results however i fear the timeline with Dr. Monegal may be too long to keep this surgery secret. Family/friends will start wondering what you are doing and such. I wonder if it would be possible to do one leg LON and other Fitbone. Anyhow, thanks cooper for keeping us filled with all this valuable information.

[Chenboy]

Why do not consider Dr. Guichet .

[Uppland]

What a well written diary Cooper, good luck.

Aren't you worried about lengthening both segments though, I imagine it'll be harder on your recovery and how will you look afterwards?

[glenn]

Hi Cooper,

Thank you for answering all our questions, including mine. Hope you will enjoy your stay at MSJ. I will be  seeing Dr. Monegal next month, such a shame we won't be able to meet.

[JourneyToTheEast]

Thank you musicmaker.

[Cooper]

Hey cooper as you've been on the forum for ages I'm sure your aware of all the studies relating internal tibial nailing and permanent knee pain what made you decide to go with this option?

Not all patient with tibia has knee issues. All of the dr. paley patient are fine. Trailblazer with dr. Inan has no complain on knee pain. It really depends on doctor. Most patients complaining are of dr. Sarin and dr. Srinagri in India. Based on my knowledge either of the doctor are NOT limb lengthening specialist. Orthopedic doctor generally are not suited well for CLL IMO. Pick a doctor who specialize in LL.

[Cooper]

Didn't Dr. Monegal say something about a different way of cutting the bone below patella?
I don't want to quote him wrong but he was pretty confident that the knee pain is avoidable this way and that his patients don't suffer from this. At least that's what I remember him saying.

He uses super patellar approach which completely avoids tendon. The insertion is done few cm top of knee. It is amazing!

My flexibility is superb and zero knee pain. I heard his say dr. Baumgart was impressed with this technique and now they want to standardize this technique for tibia lengthening. I recommended dr. monegal to present a case in seminars so other LL doctors can use this method.

Knee pain is tough. I have ACL done few years ago and finally I am forgetting the knee pain from that surgery.

[Cooper]

Hi Cooper,

Thank you for answering all our questions, including mine. Hope you will enjoy your stay at MSJ. I will be  seeing Dr. Monegal next month, such a shame we won't be able to meet.

You are welcome Glenn. I also wanted to tell you that you can bring AMEX traveler checks. It is much safer than brining cash. If you do make sure you jot down the check number some safer place. They will reissue new check if checks are lost. Not sure about the stolen check but there should be some recourse.

[Cooper]

Thank you for your reply Cooper. You are right. I am absorbing all the information I am finding here. Reading/re reading and hopefully I plan to undergo this in 2 years; right after my graduation. I have started saving for it from now. Doctor Monegal seems promising in terms of results however i fear the timeline with Dr. Monegal may be too long to keep this surgery secret. Family/friends will start wondering what you are doing and such. I wonder if it would be possible to do one leg LON and other Fitbone. Anyhow, thanks cooper for keeping us filled with all this valuable information.

I recommend doing internal if possible. But if the budget issue than LON will be fine. The hardest part of this surgery is keeping secret and not telling anyone. I need to make up story when I get home so folks does not flip out when they see me in crutches. In addition, I need to come back here 3 months and do another leg. I am looking for compelling story so I can shut everyone with one story. If you guys have any idea please pitch in.

[Cooper]

Another favor to ask of you Cooper: once you are at MIC, please let us know how reliable and speedy the internet connecion is (especially with VPN).

The internet is pretty strong and I concur with musicmaker. I am working from MIC with VPN connection as well. If I cannot do VPN than won't be able to survive  .

 I worked few hours this morning already via VPN so no worries.

[Cooper]

Why do not consider Dr. Guichet .

I exchanged lot of emails with Dr. Guichet prior going to dr. Paley. He is very focused and result oriented doctor. I really like him and his patients are doing phenomenal recovery.

But, his physical therapy regiment worries me a lot. Leechlet mentioned that he had to sit on stationary bicycle for 20 minutes on second day. That is too much when your body is going through so much trauma. Eventually he stopped going to therapy. On a bright side his patients are doing very well. He can be good choice but not for me.

I also do not like the clicking mechanism for distraction. I am already on some kind of pain and stifneess. If I have to click for distraction it sure will add more frustration.

[Cooper]

July 20th: I was discharged from hospital. Dr. Monegal texted me if I need ride to MIC. He has surgery schedule at nearby Barcelona hospital. I respectfully accepted it.

Came to MIC. There are three other patients. Musicmaker, a male from US and teenager male from Spain. I talked to all of them and feel good. We have so much in common. The best part is we can talk everything about height, pain, fake stories we are telling to our friends and family to be here. It is awesome!!! Telling you guys having community while doing this process helps a lot. If I were all alone I will have gone loco (crazy) by now.

I slept about few hours and then went to Italian restaurant across from MIC. I was so happy to be outside hospital and wanted to give myself a treat. I had nice steak and few beers and had a good night sleep. I slept about 8 hours FIRST TIME after the surgery. Few stiffness and had to change the position but it was mostly interrupted. However, I had to go bathroom four or five times. The beer and water belly up my bladder pretty well

I also give a list of item to buy from supermarket. I have some snacks, milk, fruits in refrigerator. Also asked them to fill the prescription for me. Everything taking care of!

I will do my FIRST DISTRACTION today. Dr. Monegal will drop by later and we are planning on doing together.