Having my legs broken down and suffering the pain for few centimeters was just a ridiculous idea at first, especially when I was so involved in job and social life. I could not give that away, but the height neurosis was bothering me a lot.
Dr. Monegal introduced the idea of 2 stages femur lengthening which got me interested, because according to him, I could go back to work after 1 month of the surgery. My job is very important to me; it took me 3 years of hard work to get the position, so I couldn’t risk letting it go I emailed Dr. Monegal and he responded fast. He told me doing two stages is safer and that I would not stop walking the whole process, which helps more with the recovery. I then visited him in Barcelona and decided to go for it.
I was 165 cm, 68 kg, 25 years old.
I had my first surgery in November the 17th after I had some exams and scans. The surgery went smooth and I woke up a little lightheaded. Dr Monegal came to comfort me and to tell me the surgery was a success. I was given painkillers, so my pain level didn’t exceed 2/10 the whole week in hospital. About the hospital, Clinica Diagonal is very modern hospital; everything went around the clock at that place. The nurses were very nice and helpful; some are beautiful as of that matter.
http://s13.postimg.org/43bysnffr/IMG_0303.jpgAfter two days, Dr.Monegal allowed me to walk with a walker around the hospital floor. A physiotherapist then came with Kinetec CPM machine to keep my knee active. I had it to 90 degrees and then increased it through the week to 120 degrees. Dr. Monegal then allowed me to walk with crutches in the forth day. He was kind enough to drop by everyday to check on me.
I then moved to MIC in the 24th, a fully adapted apartment, I spent 3 weeks there. That’s when I started clicking the Fitbone at 0.81mm, then increased to 1 mm the next day. I used to meet daily with Claudio, a physiotherapist to exercise and stretch my muscles. I met Musicmaker, a brave &very sweet lady.
http://s21.postimg.org/f79ekvi6f/IMG_0779.jpgI went home at the 10th of December and returned to work at the 13th. I was using two crutches at first and then used only one by the middle of lengthening period. I didn’t know if it was ok at the time, but my leg was strong enough. I have muscular legs. Even after lengthening 7.2 cm, my leg didn’t become thinner as I expected.
My life went back to almost normal life. I was able to work, drive, and go to the gym. It was not easy but not difficult either. Also. I continued lengthening and I didn’t have that much of pain. I remember talking painkillers two or three nights only when I was reaching 5 cm. After 5 cm, my bone became resistant to the fitbone nail. So, it took me a longer time to lengthen the last 2 centimeters. Dr.Monegal and my local doctor told me that I have a really good bone callus formation. Here are some x-rays:
At around 1.3 cm
http://s10.postimg.org/s6eagvort/e710cda8c9c9ae36553c78462bddb0f6.jpgAt around 2.5 cm
http://s13.postimg.org/f0b1g3207/IMG_1708_1.jpgAt 3.5 cm
http://s8.postimg.org/qm7uznbg5/IMG_2772.jpgAt 4.9 cm
http://s22.postimg.org/rdhfxo4td/IMG_3778.jpgAt 6.5 cm
http://s7.postimg.org/91pgno8aj/IMG_4716.jpgI finish lengthening by the end of February. I started walking unaided 2 weeks after my lengthening period. I have a little limb due to the length discrepancy. The 7cm lift I am wearing isn’t 7 cm actually as advertised.
Here is a video I took at the gym today:
Here are some pictures of my legs, scars, and knee bending max point:
http://s15.postimg.org/4k4phcggb/IMG_5310.jpghttp://s30.postimg.org/dho59mxtd/IMG_5312.jpghttp://s23.postimg.org/aj9wfkokb/IMG_5314.jpgI have lengthened 7.2 cm in my left femur, and I am scheduled to have my second operation in the middle of April.
I didn’t have the time to fill you in the details; I am available however to answer any questions or concerns you have.
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Topic: Two Stages Femur Lengthening With Dr.Monegal (Read 4546 times)