Lostboy2010 - Internal Femurs - Dr. Betz - 2011 -

[SysOp]

Lostboy2010 has asked me to start a diary for him. He is doing internal femurs with Dr. Betz in November.  Congrats.

[lostboy2010]

I have my consultation with Dr.  Betz November 4th at 11:00 am and surgery following on the eleventh.   I have been stretching for the past four months and have been getting physical therapy for the past month.   I am 21 years old and 172 cm and I plan to lengthen at least eight centimeters.   I am very lucky to have my brother who's a year older coming with me.   

[lostboy2010]

Even thinking about why I want this surgery puts me in a bad mood.   Andrewshizzle’s first entry covers it pretty well but still nonetheless reminds me of what I am.   I know I want it and I know that as a result of the procedure I will undoubtedly have a higher quality of life.   Every day since I found out about this site and leg lengthening in general I have desired to undergo the whole procedure more.  So since August 2010 I have awoken every morning with the topic more so engraved in my mind.   I’ve even had dreams where I thought the albizzia nails were already in my femurs.   Height is morally arbitrary but that’s honestly a normative claim.   The fact is many people do attach a lot of importance to it and think of you as better if you’re taller.   Living in New York City with a brother who’s a 6’2” model hasn’t helped my cynicism either.   I’m tired of hearing about how other people are tall and how that’s so great—as if what they have isn’t a corollary of the natural lottery but instead some kind of accomplishment that they alone deserve praise for.   The last year has been a lonely one because I’ve forgone all sorts of social situations.   It’s amazing how well-spoken many of the lengtheners on this site are.   We need to have something to do (self-cultivation) while others are out at bars talking about other people.       

[Kidrobot]

I'm really surprised you feel that short being 172cm! That's certainly not so short as to forgo social situations.

[andrewshizzles]

Even thinking about why I want this surgery puts me in a bad mood.   Andrewshizzle’s first entry covers it pretty well but still nonetheless reminds me of what I am.   I know I want it and I know that as a result of the procedure I will undoubtedly have a higher quality of life.   Every day since I found out about this site and leg lengthening in general I have desired to undergo the whole procedure more.  So since August 2010 I have awoken every morning with the topic more so engraved in my mind.   I’ve even had dreams where I thought the albizzia nails were already in my femurs.   Height is morally arbitrary but that’s honestly a normative claim.   The fact is many people do attach a lot of importance to it and think of you as better if you’re taller.   Living in New York City with a brother who’s a 6’2” model hasn’t helped my cynicism either.   I’m tired of hearing about how other people are tall and how that’s so great—as if what they have isn’t a corollary of the natural lottery but instead some kind of accomplishment that they alone deserve praise for.   The last year has been a lonely one because I’ve forgone all sorts of social situations.   It’s amazing how well-spoken many of the lengtheners on this site are.   We need to have something to do (self-cultivation) while others are out at bars talking about other people.       

Yo lostboy!
Are you planning to stay in Germany for the lengthening phase?
I saw The_Rock at 183.5cm after he took out his nails; he looked DAMN GOOD. If you do the max you can get to 6' and you'll look really good!

Good luck! I look forward to meeting you in crutches!

[lostboy2010]

I'm really surprised you feel that short being 172cm! That's certainly not so short as to forgo social situations. 

It is in hipster Brooklyn.   

[lostboy2010]

Yo lostboy!
Are you planning to stay in Germany for the lengthening phase?
I saw The_Rock at 183.5cm after he took out his nails; he looked DAMN GOOD. If you do the max you can get to 6' and you'll look really good!

Good luck! I look forward to meeting you in crutches!

I am staying for the whole lengthening phase which will probably be around four months because I'm lengthening slowly (i.e., definitely less than 15 clicks a day).  Are you staying at Park Hotel for your whole stay?  MY dad is really skeptical about me lengthening past 8cm because he thinks i'll deform myself.  I wont be able to make an informed decision about how much to lengthen until I have my consultation with Dr. Betz on the fourth.  Nonetheless, being 6' would probably bring me ineffable joy.
I look forward to meeting you.

lostboy

[Apotheosis]

I am staying for the whole lengthening phase which will probably be around four months because I'm lengthening slowly (i.e., definitely less than 15 clicks a day).  Are you staying at Park Hotel for your whole stay?  MY dad is really skeptical about me lengthening past 8cm because he thinks i'll deform myself.  I wont be able to make an informed decision about how much to lengthen until I have my consultation with Dr. Betz on the fourth.  Nonetheless, being 6' would probably bring me ineffable joy.
I look forward to meeting you.

lostboy

Hey Lostboy,

I live in Brooklyn too. Does your dad live in Brooklyn? If you want, I can meet him, show him my scars and show him how even though I'm not completely healed a year post-op, I'm pretty damn good after doing 9.86 cm. Maybe that will help assuage his fears?

Apotheosis

[lostboy2010]

Today I met some adversity while going through my physical therapy routine.  I was doing some jumping exercises when a nosey, overweight woman in her fifties interrupted me by asking me why I was doing what I was doing.  I proceeded to tell her honestly.  BIG MISTAKE!!!  I should’ve kept my big mouth shut.  The more I explained the more she impugned and interrogated me.  She told me I needed therapy and that I “really needed to think about this.”  Moreover, my routine was cut short because she wouldn’t leave me the hell alone.  I sincerely regret saying anything at all.  She immediately assumed that I wanted to do the procedure because of women alone and went on ad nauseam about how guys who are 5’8” or 5’9” are better partners because in her experience she didn’t like the guy she dated who was 6’’.  Then she explained how this knee doctor she saw had fancy clothes and nice cars and a lot of confidence even though he was 5’5.”  She was doubtful that my parents approved of such a procedure and after explaining other legitimate reasons to undergo the procedure besides considerations having to do with women, I told her that my dad’s the chief of surgery at his hospital and that he approved of the procedure and how his orthopedic surgeons also approved under the condition that I had the process done internally.  That got her to calm down momentarily.  After more vehement questioning I told her how my dad knows about the procedure and not my mom (I will certainly tell her after I lengthen, for now however I don’t want her to worry) and how I told my mom that I was studying abroad in Berlin.  Then she asked what my mom would think about “the missing credit hours” I would have as a result of not actually studying abroad.  This question baffled me and I said, “My parents don’t interfere with my affairs in that way as I wasn’t brought up that way.  My parents leave me the hell alone and as a result I’m studying philosophy at one of the most prestigious universities in the country!  LEAVE YOUR KIDS THE HELL ALONE!”  She went quiet for a while and I tried to finish my routine but I was pretty worked up emotionally.  On my way out she thought it was important to tell me that her stepson went to Harvard and how he’s a top lawyer at a top law firm in New York.  I said, “That’s great.”  Then I went up to the front desk and said, “I gotta get the hell outta here” and left.   

The lesson I learned is tell as FEW PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE that you’re going to lengthen. 

[jsm]

hey Lostboy, good luck with your journey.
Is your dad really a surgeon? I am curious why does he only approve internal method. I know internal vs external has been discussed before on this forum. But I am interested about the opinion of your dad and other orthopedic surgeons that you have talked to.
Personally I am undecided between Internal vs External.

[lostboy2010]

hey Lostboy, good luck with your journey.
Is your dad really a surgeon? I am curious why does he only approve internal method. I know internal vs external has been discussed before on this forum. But I am interested about the opinion of your dad and other orthopedic surgeons that you have talked to.
Personally I am undecided between Internal vs External.

Hey jsm,

Yes he is but he's a bariatric surgeon.  I think the orthopedic surgeons he has consulted with prefer internal lengthening because with the external lengthening temporary infections at the pin sites are common.  Of course there is still risk of infection with internal lengthening but it's less common.  Also, I think they prefer the internal lengthening because there are less scars afterwards.  Another plus of the albizzia nails is that they allow you to be ambulatory while external fixators require you to be in a wheelchair.  I hope this helps,

Lostboy   

[jsm]

Thanks Lostboy
I have done research on the Internal vs External, I just wanted to get additional info in case I was missing anything. Just to clarify, if you read some of the diaries here, you will see that a lot of people with external tibia did walk while lengthening.

[lostboy2010]

Thanks Lostboy
I have done research on the Internal vs External, I just wanted to get additional info in case I was missing anything. Just to clarify, if you read some of the diaries here, you will see that a lot of people with external tibia did walk while lengthening.

Thank YOU for clarifying.

Lostboy

[lostboy2010]

Just paid for surgery, it costs 45,398.50 EUROS.  xe.com is the best way to wire the money as is saves you quite a bit of money as opposed to a US bank wiring the money.  xe.com is scrupulous with their account activation process. It took me a while of resending them pictures of my passport and driver's license, et cetera, before they activated my account.  To combat money laundering they also require you to do some due diligence.

[Apotheosis]

Nice. I was just verifying that Dr. Betz wiring instructions are still the same ones I used last time. I set up my XE.com account over a year ago on advice from Badboy. Definitely the way to go.

Apotheosis

[lostboy2010]

Today is the last day I get to see my mom's baby chocolate lab.  I'm driving to NY tomorrow from the Midwest.  I leave for Germany Tuesday, November 1st.  I told her that the next time i'll see her she'll be all grown up, So will I. 

[lostboy2010]

Oh Doctor, Betz drives and walks fast.  After my initial consultation yesterday, we were cruising at 165 km/hr in his BMW on the Autobahn while it was dark and raining.  He was looking at me most of the time, telling me about how a boar recently ambled onto the Autobahn.  A car smashed into it and three people died.  I think something similar happened in Canada but with a black bear.

I saw Andrewshizzles walk a day after his surgery and he seems to be doing well.

I asked Dr. Betz what he thinks about people who lengthen beyond 7.6 cm and whether or not they are at risk of potentially facing future health problems such as premature arthritis, bone weakness or muscle atrophy.  While he as of course heard that opinion, he simply shook his head vehemently in disagreement.

Betz now primarily uses the Betzbone nail (it clicks easier than albizzia and is more resilient to stress) and does not preset the nails at a certain length.  Too many of his former patients regretted not lengthening more and wanted to lengthen past the preset length.  Unfortunately at that point it’s FAR TOO LATE.

I’m going to back up.  We arrived in Germany on the third of November.  We had a very bad day.  We left Newark, New Jersey at 7:30 pm and had a 6.5 hour flight to Manchester, UK.  Then we had a four-hour layover before a three-hour flight to Frankfurt.  After being awake for 16 to 17 hours we arrived at 1:20 pm in Frankfurt.  I had two carry-on cases and a heavy suitcase.  My brother had a suitcase, bass guitar and his backpack.  If you have this much stuff and want to save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress I would strongly suggest HAVING THE DRIVER PICK YOU UP IN FRANKFURT as opposed to taking the crowded train.  We kept making mistakes by getting off at the wrong stops and getting on the wrong trains.  Everyone was very nice and could for the most part speak basic English but everyone’s opinions were in conflict.  So we were constantly being confused and more enervated by every mistake.  Also, the train doors close very fast and very hard unlike NYC subways.  One time the doors closed on one of my bags and I couldn’t get them to budge  until a big German guy wedged them open.  At one point after getting off another wrong train we wanted to give up and find a hotel because we were exhausted but couldn’t because the only two inns were full.  At the height of our despair we seriously considered sleeping in the woods.  Finally we caught the LAST train to Turkismuhle (the target destination if you’re staying with Elke).  While waiting for the driver, we went to the station bar and had some drinks.  We caught a small break when the bartender gave us free beer because he liked my brother’s music. 

All is well now and I have my surgery next Thursday.  As I thought, Dr Betz thinks my flexibility is excellent.  I’m still, however, seeing Peter Woll at least twice before surgery.  At this point I’m not sure how much I am going to lengthen.  My goal was 8cm but I just saw a guy who is around 9.5 cm and he looks great!     

[andrewshizzles]

Oh Doctor, Betz drives and walks fast.  After my initial consultation yesterday, we were cruising at 165 km/hr in his BMW on the Autobahn while it was dark and raining.  He was looking at me most of the time, telling me about how a boar recently ambled onto the Autobahn.  A car smashed into it and three people died.  I think something similar happened in Canada but with a black bear.

I saw Andrewshizzles walk a day after his surgery and he seems to be doing well.

I asked Dr. Betz what he thinks about people who lengthen beyond 7.6 cm and whether or not they are at risk of potentially facing future health problems such as premature arthritis, bone weakness or muscle atrophy.  While he as of course heard that opinion, he simply shook his head vehemently in disagreement.

Betz now primarily uses the Betzbone nail (it clicks easier than albizzia and is more resilient to stress) and does not preset the nails at a certain length.  Too many of his former patients regretted not lengthening more and wanted to lengthen past the preset length.  Unfortunately at that point it’s FAR TOO LATE.

I’m going to back up.  We arrived in Germany on the third of November.  We had a very bad day.  We left Newark, New Jersey at 7:30 pm and had a 6.5 hour flight to Manchester, UK.  Then we had a four-hour layover before a three-hour flight to Frankfurt.  After being awake for 16 to 17 hours we arrived at 1:20 pm in Frankfurt.  I had two carry-on cases and a heavy suitcase.  My brother had a suitcase, bass guitar and his backpack.  If you have this much stuff and want to save yourself a lot of unnecessary stress I would strongly suggest HAVING THE DRIVER PICK YOU UP IN FRANKFURT as opposed to taking the crowded train.  We kept making mistakes by getting off at the wrong stops and getting on the wrong trains.  Everyone was very nice and could for the most part speak basic English but everyone’s opinions were in conflict.  So we were constantly being confused and more enervated by every mistake.  Also, the train doors close very fast and very hard unlike NYC subways.  One time the doors closed on one of my bags and I couldn’t get them to budge  until a big German guy wedged them open.  At one point after getting off another wrong train we wanted to give up and find a hotel because we were exhausted but couldn’t because the only two inns were full.  At the height of our despair we seriously considered sleeping in the woods.  Finally we caught the LAST train to Turkismuhle (the target destination if you’re staying with Elke).  While waiting for the driver, we went to the station bar and had some drinks.  We caught a small break when the bartender gave us free beer because he liked my brother’s music. 

All is well now and I have my surgery next Thursday.  As I thought, Dr Betz thinks my flexibility is excellent.  I’m still, however, seeing Peter Woll at least twice before surgery.  At this point I’m not sure how much I am going to lengthen.  My goal was 8cm but I just saw a guy who is around 9.5 cm and he looks great!     

Good job on the surgery =] 

[lostboy2010]

Since surgery approximately three weeks ago I’ve grown just over one centimeter.  While at a party with other lengtheners, I stepped aside to click six times on each leg.  An extremely voluptuous German girl interrupted me and began to take an interest in me.  After a while she accompanied me back to the leg-lengtheners table.  I was very happy and I looked up only to see Dr. Betz staring at me with scintillating eyes.  I thought to myself that what this man offers is truly priceless.

[navlo]

good to hear that everything looks fine!

What about the pain level?(On a scale 0-10)

Best regards,

navlo

ps : i got the lesson concerning telling nobody about the procedure( the f**king lady bothering you : very funny )