Height Increase Information-Tibia lengthening 7.5cm-LON Method

INTRODUCTION
Greetings! I have been a long-time participant in this forum but recently opted for the LON technique for my limb lengthening surgery slightly over 3 months ago. A male in my mid-20s, my original height stood at 168, with a goal of 175. Choosing to add 7.5cm ensures I’ll safely surpass 175cm. The procedure took place on April 25th, and as of today, 94 days have passed, resulting in a successful gain of 7.1cm. I am looking forward to hitting my target height by the conclusion of the upcoming week.

CHAPTER 1: Searching for the Top Institution in India (2 months before limb lengthening)

During my quest for an appropriate facility to undergo the limb lengthening procedure, I encountered several establishments providing this service. After extensive research and watching numerous YouTube videos, I made the decision to proceed with Height Increase Info, primarily because I perceived Dr. Hirdesh and his setup to be the most superior option available in my country. Their abundance of patient testimonials, videos, and FAQs influenced my choice. I sent Dr. Hirdesh a detailed list of questions via email, and he diligently addressed each one, dispelling my remaining uncertainties. Subsequently, I embarked on a journey to witness firsthand what was awaiting me.

Arriving at IGI Airport without much knowledge of what awaited me, I experienced a mix of anxiety and hope. I was instructed to pack minimally as everything else would be taken care of. The HII team arranged for transportation to Dr. Hirdesh’s clinic, where I met him and posed all the questions swirling in my mind. Though I was mostly certain, a small shred of doubt lingered. Dr. Hirdesh then guided me to his residence where other patients were accommodated. I found the villa to be elegant and spacious, envisioning a comfortable stay for the forthcoming five months. Interactions with 3-4 current patients further solidified my decision, as they shared positive experiences and clarified any remaining uncertainties. After thorough research, discussions, and firsthand accounts, I resolved any lingering doubts and confidently scheduled my surgery for two days later.

CHAPTER 2: D-Day – The Day That Altered My Life Permanently (25th April)

The Procedure Day. The evening before, I encountered another patient in the designated guest house where I was staying before my limb lengthening surgery. We connected over our mutual desire to increase our height and discussed what could unfold in the coming days. It’s reassuring to have someone going through the exact same experience as you, and I felt confident in my decision to be here as the villa was filled with like-minded patients, creating a sense of camaraderie!

The following day, Dr. Hirdesh or Harry, as we fondly called him, arrived to escort me to the hospital where my operation was scheduled. He briefed me on the upcoming events during the journey. Upon arrival at the hospital, I was directed to a ward where they conducted all the necessary pre-surgery assessments, including blood tests, leg grooming, and other essential procedures. The medical staff was very supportive, understanding my anxiety and nervousness, continually reassuring me that everything would be fine. Later, Dr. Saini came to see me, inquired about my well-being, and I was soon prepared for the surgery.

Around 6 pm, I was wheeled into the operating room. An anesthesia administered in my spine rendered my lower body completely numb. The surgical team was highly skilled. Some doctors engaged me in conversation about the procedure, diverting my attention from the injections. Despite being conscious throughout the surgery, I could sense the actions taking place. The sensation was beyond words! Though I couldn’t feel my legs, I was aware of the bone cutting and drilling, which, though daunting to hear, wasn’t as frightening in reality. I could even hear them praising the strength of my bones. It was an otherworldly experience, far from negative. Subsequently, I drifted off to sleep. Upon awakening after several hours, the surgery was still ongoing. Periodically, they would interact with me, addressing my inquiries. About 3-4 hours passed, and my surgery concluded around 9 p.m. Dr. Harry remained present throughout the entire procedure. Post-surgery, I was transferred to the ICU for an overnight stay.

Due to the numbness in my legs, there was no discomfort. An attendant remained by my side, offering tea and biscuits. The next morning, upon regaining sensation, I noticed a foreign presence on my legs, a weight and sensation that felt peculiar. It wasn’t uncomfortable yet definitely unusual. With IV pain relief, the ensuing five days in the hospital were relatively painless. I commenced physiotherapy from day one. Doctors Saini and Harry checked on me, provided updates on the upcoming days, and the hospital staff continued their attentive and amicable care, aiding with medications, injections, and more. Two days later, the friend I had befriended before the surgery also moved into the neighboring ward. The hospital stay breezed by in five days, and it was time to relocate to the villa, my new abode.

CHAPTER 3: Early Days – Adjusting to the bionic lifestyle

The initial days were manageable. Daytime was spent resting in bed, caregivers provided good meals, and a rolling chair aided me to the washroom. I socialized with others on my floor and anticipated a smooth 3-month journey. Soon, a fellow I had met became my roommate. We indulged in gaming on an XBOX One, played FIFA, and watched movies, bonding over shared interests. The absence of pain and painkillers, coupled with the gradual limb lengthening of 1mm daily, made the experience enjoyable. Life seemed great!

A week later, discomfort in my shins arose, worsening at night. Initially hesitant to take painkillers, I toughed it out to preserve calluses. As the pain intensified, especially at night, and became unbearable, I reluctantly resorted to painkillers. Initially ineffective, Ultracet did not provide the needed relief. Fortunately, a savior emerged in the form of MOBIZOX, a muscle relaxant that eradicated pain and sleepless nights. Despite concerns about its impact on calluses, I found myself reliant on it for restful sleep. This reliance persisted for about a month.

Simultaneously, I engaged in the in-house gym routine, recognizing the importance of enhancing my physique post-surgery. Weighing 82KGs in a 5’6″ frame motivated me to pursue regular workouts. Learning from a fitness enthusiast in the neighboring room, I adopted a disciplined exercise regimen, complemented by dietary guidance and protein intake. This commitment to fitness has notably improved my mobility and body shape, a journey I continue till date.

Interacting with fellow patients, who shared positive experiences, brought a sense of camaraderie. Social activities like movie-watching, food ordering, and occasional drinks fostered a fun and lively atmosphere. Saturday nights became a highlight with group gatherings, sponsored by Dr. Harry, filled with drinks and snacks. These gatherings normalized life, making the facility feel like home and its occupants, including patients and caregivers, akin to family. Notably, within the first month, I gained 3cms in height!

CHAPTER 4: Callus Callus where are you?

After a month had elapsed, the reliance on Mobizox significantly decreased to once a week. Pain alleviated notably. The rate of limb lengthening stood at 1mm per day into the following month. Engaging in physiotherapy twice daily, consuming non-vegetarian food daily, along with a couple of supplements like protein powder, and maintaining an active body through gym workouts. It seemed like everything was going smoothly. The second X-ray was approaching, following the initial one taken a few days earlier, revealing a distraction of about 1.3cm. The focus shifted to examining the callus, and there was a strong belief in its quality. However, upon receiving the X-ray results, the distraction measured 42mm, indicating an unfavorable condition of the callus. While it exhibited a thin shadow, ruling out non-union, its formation was not progressing as expected. Reflecting on possible causes, inadequate Vitamin D3 intake was identified as one. Another reason, albeit embarrassing, was excessive sexual activity in the prior month, potentially draining essential nutrients required for bone healing. Excessive gym workouts and a restrictive diet due to weight concerns were also considered factors contributing to the suboptimal callus formation. The consistent use of Mobizox over a few weeks could have played a role as well. Consequently, a need for lifestyle modifications arose to prioritize bone formation, the key element in limb lengthening. This entailed a dietary adjustment involving increased consumption of nutritious items such as milk, curd, eggs, and protein sources like tandoori chicken. Despite the provision of protein-rich meals in the villa, additional dietary measures were adopted to enhance the bone formation process. Furthermore, a significant reduction in alcohol intake was implemented. The rate of limb lengthening was maintained at 1mm per day until reaching approximately 50mm, after which it was tapered down to 0.75mm to address muscle stiffness. Recognizing the impact of reduced turning on callus development, efforts were made to strike a balance. While encountering escalating work demands during this period, a consistent commitment to physiotherapy and gym routines was upheld, fostering optimism for the desired outcomes.

CHAPTER 5: Familia – the reasons behind it, how to explain it to others, and our ambitious visions for a fresh start!

At the same time, my workout companion had already added 6.5cms to his height, making him 178cms tall, which is 5’10. Observing him, imagining myself at 5’9, gave me a glimpse of how I would appear when standing. My flatmate was also increasing his height alongside me, while our gym buddy’s roommate, who was more experienced in life and Limb Lengthening, was having a different approach known as cross lengthening. He had completed his first segment and was now undergoing the second. The four of us were on the ground floor, with more individuals on the upper floors who had become like family to me. We shared our stories, experiences, tips, and tricks, discussing our reasons for choosing this procedure – some due to confidence issues, some for marriage, some for career advancement. In my case, it encompassed various reasons, from my legs not reaching the ground while riding a bike to the more obvious desire to enhance my appearance and status in the community. We also exchanged thoughts on the explanations we had prepared to share with our friends and family regarding the sudden increase in height. My preferred explanation seemed a bit far-fetched. I had decided to attribute my growth from 5’7″ to 5’9″ to rigorous workouts, growth hormone supplements, and perhaps a few steroid injections. While some might find it believable, others might not. I am still uncertain. If any reader has a better suggestion, feel free to share it in the comments.

Once this journey concluded, each of us had different plans for the future. Some would return to their previous routines, while others would embark on entirely new paths. I belonged to the latter group. I planned to relocate to a new city, start afresh. Since I worked from home and had never met my office colleagues, I had no need to change that aspect. My strategy involved meeting my close friends after about two years, narrating the mentioned tale, and seamlessly reintegrating into my former life. The uncertainty of how it would unfold is what makes contemplating these ideas so thrilling – the unknown, the adventure, the opportunity to mold our identities as we wish. Having gone to great lengths to enhance my quality of life, I believed I wouldn’t fall short in any other aspect. The future could be challenging or rewarding, but definitely not dull. It signifies a complete reset for me in my mid-20s. It’s time to seize control of my destiny.

CHAPTER 6: Life of a 3 month old Limb Lengthener

It is the third month. My gym buddy has departed. He had been using crutches for 5 months before starting to walk, which was quite a fair achievement. Another individual had already resumed walking normally by the 5th month and even rode a scooter! The progress was impressive. Both of them have left now. We had a fantastic party the night before, and I fell asleep on the couch, only to wake up miraculously in my bed the following morning.

Several new residents have joined the community. We were witnessing around 2-3 admissions and discharges of patients every month. This place is the ultimate sanctuary for those undergoing limb lengthening procedures. A big shoutout to the caregivers who had now become like family to me. Thanks to them, I did not encounter any difficulties in performing daily activities. I had gained enough independence to go to the restroom by myself, move in and out of bed, climb stairs with a specific technique, engage in more rigorous gym sessions, and so forth. Due to the constant pressure, my buttocks had reduced in size, my thighs had become more relaxed, and my calves had slimmed down slightly, which was a natural and expected occurrence. Despite wearing specially designed shoes and undergoing physiotherapy regularly, the issue of ‘ballerina’ was still not significant. This condition, where the feet naturally stand on tiptoes instead of flat on the ground like in ballet, is a major challenge during the recovery process. Fortunately, I did not experience any infections, unusual pus or oozing around the pins, and the pain had completely disappeared since the second month, making the frames feel like a part of my body now.

I am indebted to Dr. Harry and his team for their exceptional care of us and our lower limbs. They never missed physiotherapy sessions, ensured routine cleaning of our legs with hot water, and the caregivers would massage our feet upon request. We even purchased a massage gun for self-massage as needed. We covered our legs with a protective sheath for showers and bathed once a week. With reduced work pressure, I was able to get an adequate amount of sleep. Things were progressing positively. The distraction had reached about 60mm. In the subsequent X-ray, the formation of callus had finally commenced, albeit in small amounts; however, progress was evident with a few visible lines, indicating improvement. The distraction now needed to be reduced to 0.5mm in the following days. As I neared my goal, I had to be extremely cautious, as stretching the tibia by 7.5mm was pushing the limits. Hastening the process could lead to consequences that I was not prepared for. Therefore, I scaled back to 0.5mm and continued with this approach. In terms of supplements, my regimen included 2 tablets of Supracal PRO Plus, 2 tablets of FasthealDS, HK multivitamin, HK Fish Oil for Omega 3, 2 tablets of Muscleblaze Ashwagandha, 1 vial of Vitamin D3 weekly, and 2-3 Vitamin C lozenges daily. Additionally, I consumed 25gms of protein powder daily, 2 glasses of milk, 200gm of yogurt, and 2 eggs daily. I am optimistic about the results of my upcoming X-ray. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Here are all my X-Rays attached:

CHAPTER 7: The Present Moment!

As of now, it is 30th July 5 am when I am writing this passage. I am currently in my fourth month of limb lengthening. Soon, my senior cross lengthening friend and all the other seniors will be leaving, leaving my roommate and me as the most senior occupants of the Villa. We engage with the newcomers, sharing with them the same advice we received when we arrived. New potential patients come to meet us for patient interaction, a role I also fulfilled before joining. We recount our whole journey and let them decide for themselves. The conversion rate is quite successful.

I HAVE OFFICIALLY BECOME A PROFESSIONAL FIFA PLAYER. I have also added Far Cry and HITMAN 3 to my gaming collection. I have completed watching Breaking Bad, Dark, and The Office. Although I have thought about preparing for an MBA and learning the guitar, I believe there is still time for that. I tried my hand at day trading in stocks, but it was unsuccessful. The stock market seems like a scam to me. My roommate, caretaker, and neighbor have become like brothers to me. This is the new normal. I can’t believe how quickly three months have flown by.

In terms of my physical progress, today I measure 71mm in height, nearly reaching my goal. Just 4 more millimeters and 8 more days to go. After that, my time with the frame will come to an end. I have heard and seen that life improves after the frame removal. You begin to walk with the aid of a walker, then crutches, and eventually on your own. I am eagerly anticipating that moment. The pin sites have stretched to a point where sudden movements cause pain. My legs are still somewhat stiff, similar to before. My balance seems okay, though it will take some time to fully adjust. I am excited about the recovery process and hope for a complete recovery, leading me to walk out of here independently. Tomorrow, I have another X-ray scheduled, and I hope to see an improvement in the callus this time. I am even consuming kids’ lactogen for its highly absorbable calcium content.

Standing up occasionally in the frames has made me realize how everything has transformed. The floor appears farther away, while the ceiling fan seems closer. I am now taller than Dr. Harry, who used to be towering over me. My entire perspective has shifted to a new height. Seeing myself on the height measurement scale is a surreal experience. Without any shoes on, I would be standing at 5’10” tall, which is quite tall for me. I now dream at night of being taller. I am unsure of how this change will impact my life, but I am extremely content, joyful, excited, and grateful. Words cannot fully capture this sentiment. To anyone reading this, I want to say, it is truly WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the current appearance of my legs:

**Starting now, I will share updates weekly or every two weeks**

SECTION 8: Close to the End

I underwent a recent X-Ray. Callus formation is evident but seems insufficient for a patient who is three months into the process. I’m unsure of the reason for this delay. However, with no gaps present, it is not a case of nonunion; it just seems to be progressing slower than usual.

My friend who underwent limb lengthening is leaving soon, so he organized a farewell gathering. I intended not to go too far but ended up having four beers. I have missed this party vibe for a long time and realized it might be the last gathering of older patients.

Moving on to the important news, the surgery to remove my frame is set for the 10th of August, along with my roommate and another individual. We are all nearing our goals. Dr. Saini visited us today, affirming that everything looks promising for the surgery and advised us not to push ourselves further.
It’s interesting how the initial months flew by swiftly, whereas these final days feel like an eternity. It has become quite bothersome to sleep or carry out activities with the frames on. Nevertheless, I am eagerly anticipating the surgery and hoping for a successful outcome!

Congratulations. Thank you for the journal.

Does the physician believe this callus is sufficient for bone fusion?