RLS’ Log Entries – Bilateral Femurs April 2024

Prior to initiating my log entries, I wish to express the following:
Hello everyone, I have been a member of this community for numerous years. I have extensively researched the topic in the past, leading me to carefully contemplate proceeding with limb lengthening. Initially, I was hesitant about starting a diary, and I am still unsure about its merits and my ability to maintain it regularly. However, I am determined to give it a try because I feel compelled to offer an unbiased and heartfelt account of my experience. This way, individuals considering this procedure can gain insight and decide whether they are prepared for it or not. My primary focus will be on aspects that may be significant to potential patients. I view it as my moral duty to provide an honest patient report as a form of community service, giving back to this site where I have accumulated a wealth of information about CLL over the years. While I will attempt to address your inquiries, I cannot guarantee when I will respond. Additionally, please excuse any typos or errors in this post, as I am currently under the influence of oxycodone and fentanyl on my surgery day.

General details to note before commencing:

Age: 21
Height: 5’10
Surgeons: Dr Becker and Dr Betz; however, as I had my surgery in Freiburg, Dr Becker is my primary physician overseeing the process. I briefly met Dr Betz today, right before the surgery, apart from the initial consultation.
I have been grappling with severe height dysphoria for a decade, which has significantly impacted my life. Moreover, my father is 6’2, and I aim to enhance my relationship with my family. Due to my height neurosis, I struggle to communicate with my father, leading to deep feelings of depression. Approximately 70% of my motivation for limb lengthening is to free myself from this constant neurosis and focus on my future career as a surgeon, where height plays a role in my interactions. I draw parallels to a transgender individual feeling mismatched with their biological body, a valid experience that resonates with me. The remaining 30% of my decision stems from wanting to improve my familial relationships, especially alleviating the distress my height issues have caused my mother. While I do not undergo this procedure for the sake of impressing women, I am aware that being taller may increase my appeal to some.
I have been actively engaged in climbing, frequently visiting both outdoor rock formations and indoor gyms for bouldering and rope climbing over 40 times this year. Despite my long history in climbing, with intensified activity in the past four years, I have not seen significant progress. Comparing myself to a friend who improved more rapidly despite less frequent climbing sessions, I realized the limitations imposed by my stagnant performance. This realization prompted my decision to pursue limb lengthening, as living with severe height dysphoria indefinitely outweighed the occasional joy of climbing at lower levels. Multiple factors influenced my choice, including the unavailability of stryde, proximity to my location, fluency in German, positive feedback from friends who underwent the procedure with Dr Betz, and trust in his less traumatic bone-cutting methods compared to traditional osteotomies. Both Dr Becker and Dr Betz have left positive impressions on me so far, and I am mentally prepared for the process.
Fortunately, yes.

The commencement:

Upon arrival at a charming house situated in a mountainous area south of Freiburg, I settled in two days before the operation on August 28th, 2022. Together with my parents, I endured an 11-hour car journey to reach our Airbnb accommodation. Unfortunately, my mother had caught a cold a week earlier, necessitating me to wear a mask at home. Regrettably, my father and I fell ill the day before the operation, causing distress as I feared a potential cancellation following the extensive trip and preoperative assessments. After consulting with the anesthesiologist regarding my mild fever and sore throat, we decided to proceed with the surgery, relieved that my blood test results did not indicate any severe concerns. Despite entering the surgical procedure with residual discomfort, the operation proceeded smoothly.

Having never undergone surgery before, I harbored profound fears. Admitting to shedding tears and experiencing hyperventilation on my way to the hospital and just before the surgery, I acknowledge the supportive and comforting demeanor of the medical staff, particularly the individual who escorted me to the operating room. Following leg shaving and final checks, I signed the necessary documents, visited the restroom, and proceeded to the OR. Despite being knowledgeable due to my medical background and involvement in anesthesia procedures, anxieties persisted, likening the experience to a walk towards potential cognitive impairment or worse outcomes related to anesthesia.
Once connected to an IV, the anticipation of imminent sedation overwhelmed me, leading to a surreal sensation as if facing an inevitable fate. As consciousness faded, I clung to my music for solace, experiencing an abrupt transition to a different realm of consciousness, marked by disorientation and shivering. This post-anesthetic phase, albeit disconcerting, ebbed away gradually, leaving me with a sense of relief and minor discomfort in my throat, likely exacerbated by preexisting cold symptoms.

The surgical procedure proceeded favorably, despite encountering challenges due to the curvature of my femurs and slender bone marrow composition, resulting in an initial gap of 5mm. Shifted to my room within the next 40 minutes, I encountered the first postoperative complication involving urinary retention, exacerbated by the effects of opioids consumed during the 3 1/2-hour surgery. Coping with the discomfort of being unable to urinate, I navigated through the challenges with the assistance of medical staff, eventually finding relief. Despite the ordeal, the medical team assured me of a smoother recovery process ahead.

Engaging in a reflective evaluation of my pain levels, I associated the inability to urinate with intense discomfort, rated at an 8-9/10 initially, which fortunately improved post-micturition. In retrospect, I appreciated the avoidance of a catheter insertion, despite the temporary ordeal faced during the recovery phase. Acknowledging the initial hurdles, I found solace in the positive aspects of my hospitalization, including satisfactory Wi-Fi connectivity, amiable staff, pleasant room accommodations, and decent hospital meals. While adapting to the postoperative environment, I strived to maintain a positive outlook, cherishing moments of camaraderie with fellow CLL patients and bracing myself for the upcoming rehabilitation phase.
Enduring minimal leg pain while at rest, which slightly elevated during movement, I adhered to prescribed exercises and gradually acclimated to walking short distances with guidance from Dr Becker. Encouraged by my progress and cardiovascular resilience, I faced intermittent challenges such as postural discomfort and bladder strain, countered by supportive measures from the medical team. Embracing various distractions, from phone conversations to TV entertainment, I navigated through the day, appreciative of moments of respite amidst the recovery process.

The day’s events culminated in a negative episode involving a medication-induced crisis, leading to a rapid response from the medical staff to stabilize my condition. Despite the sudden onset of distressing symptoms, prompt intervention and monitoring mitigated the severity of the situation, underscoring the importance of vigilant care and close observation during the recovery phase. As I prepare to conclude the day with a final set of exercises, I reflect on the unique and transformative nature of this experience, anticipating further strides in my recovery journey under the guidance of Dr Becker and the healthcare team. Thank you for accompanying me on this eventful day, and feel free to pose any queries for further insights. Good night!