Vincent Freeman – Femur Lengthening w Becker/Betz – Nov 2022

It feels strange to finally write a diary. I recall reading these patient experience diaries almost a decade ago, and now I find myself writing one.
I am penning this down shortly after undergoing surgery a few days back with Dr Becker/Betz (although my main contact was with Dr. Becker throughout the process).

Background before this:
– 171.5cm tall
– In my mid 20s
– Objective (adding 10cm+ to femurs first, then tibias once healed for 5-7cm)

My height has never matched my “residual self-image,” to be trite. I started using shoe lifts in early high school after ceasing growth, fixated on becoming taller and attempting to surpass my genetic boundaries in various aspects. This burdened me significantly and occupied much of my thoughts until I discovered limb lengthening after watching a movie called Gattaca (a film many might have seen), leading me to research it. As soon as I learned it was feasible, in my late teenage years, I essentially made up my mind then and there that I would undergo LL surgery. Once I had a clear plan ahead, my height no longer troubled me. I essentially internalized that my height would be post-LL surgery and focused on gathering the necessary resources and being in the right circumstances for the surgery. I was nearly ready to proceed with the surgery around the beginning of 2019, but COVID travel restrictions and lockdowns disrupted numerous aspects of my life, both personally and professionally. Only now have I been able to take the time off to go through with it.

Preparation:

Physical:
In the six months leading up to the surgery, I dedicated a significant amount of time to getting in shape physically through consistent weight training, cardio, daily stretching, overall mobility exercises, quitting smoking, shedding nearly 25kg of fat, and gaining a decent amount of muscle.

Of course, this progress is relative to my starting point, but I am currently in the best physical condition of my life.

Work: Taking a month off work/sick leave before the Christmas period, followed by a month of annual leave. I informed my workplace that I was undergoing a knee operation – without specifying the details (nor were they inquisitive). I may still engage in some work while on leave (handling bits of communication and emails). However, being on leave means that if I refrain from working entirely for a few months, there will be no negative consequences.

Mental:
In a way, I have been mentally preparing for this for almost a decade, so my expectations regarding the level of pain, discomfort, and overall hardship required to complete the LL process and have a successful recovery are set quite low. Anything better than excruciating pain and sleepless nights would exceed my expectations.

Over the last six months before the surgery, I have been practicing daily meditation to enhance my overall focus, willpower, self-control, and promote a more intentional/ ‘in the moment’ thought process.

Financial: I work in the engineering field and have a substantial salary, so while the cost of the surgery will set me back, it will not severely impact my finances.

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Pre-flight:

In general, the realization that I was about to undergo an operation I had desired for years did not truly hit me until I was lying on the operating table.
Things progressed rapidly – I reached out to the Betz institute in October, secured a slot in November by asking to be placed on the waiting list in case of cancellations, confirmed the November date when it became available, had my initial consultation with Dr. Becker over Zoom – with whom I instantly felt at ease (he appears quite intelligent/competent and well-versed in every aspect of the surgery).

I underwent blood tests to ensure my health was in order before traveling, and the results came back clear. I booked my tickets to arrive in Freiburg a few days ahead of the in-person consultation. Work was so chaotic that I barely had a moment to process any of it, hastily packed my belongings, landed in Germany, and immediately resumed work.

Day -7:
In-person consultation + X-Rays – I found it amusing how intrusive the X-rays were, requiring me to be in my underwear for about 3 minutes adjusting myself in the protective casing to shield certain areas from radiation XD

The consultation with Dr. Becker was thorough as anticipated, covering mostly familiar information from my prior research, forums, etc.,

Dr. Becker appeared knowledgeable, professional/competent, and quite reliable based on the Zoom call, further boosting my confidence (although I barely had a chance to let the reality of the situation sink in, so I wasn’t nervous).

I underwent express PCR and antigen testing the day before, and I slept without any real acknowledgment of the significant events scheduled for the next day…

Day 0/Surgery day:
I wake up. I quickly check out of my hotel, grab all my belongings, and take a taxi to the clinic.

I am running slightly late. I shake hands with Dr. Becker, converse with the anesthesiologist… finally, a fleeting moment of realization hits me that it’s actually happening. I change into the surgical gown, and they put me under.

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To be continued!