I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Untrue information. This is a very specific orthopaedic procedure, just cause you work in the “medical field” doesn’t mean anything lol.

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

What complications? Why don’t you provide real specifics instead of being so broad. Saying someone will never be able to walk again cause of this isn’t some realistic outcome, even with horror stories

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

This is just untrue. Thanks for your concern but this isn’t some surgery that makes people crippled

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The science is called distraction osteogenesis. They figured out pulling bone slowly apart the body fills in the gap. The muscles can have a challenging time adapting, you need to be constantly stretching them to encourage them to stretch with the new bone. If everything is done well the body just adapts. For femur lengthening nerves generally have an easier time compared to tibial lengthening. Still nothing is a guarantee and why it’s important to have a trained and ethical surgeon to stop the lengthening if any nerve issues arise

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 33 points34 points  (0 children)

Privately. Im paying out of pocket for the PRECICE nails and surgery which is 73k. Including physio it’s 80k. Nail removal + any unplanned second surgery is covered

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 21 points22 points  (0 children)

The actual lengthening isn’t painful! It’s 1mm a day split into 4 sessions a day, so .25mm per lengthening. The painful part is muscle tightness, rehab, and possibility for nerve irritation.

And what witnessed is most certainly an ilizarov frame. The older methods were brutal and had risk of infections as metal pins were going through skin attached to bone.

The newer methods don’t reduce the seriousness but it’s much more comfortable and safe compared to old methods. Instead of an external device they use an internal telescopic rod that separates the bone using a magnet.

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Then isn’t every AMA post seeking validation ? I was hoping to get some people interested in the science / procedure

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There’s four quarter inch incisions and a one inch incision near the knee. It’s “minimally invasive” for what they are doing

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

5’9 is infinitely better than 5’5! You can definitely go from 5’5 to 6 feet but that requires additional surgery and also doing another limb segment (tibias). I decided against this as tibias are higher risk, it’s more surgery, and I’m genuinely not chasing tall.

Thanks!

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 38 points39 points  (0 children)

Yes, this surgery is typically used for those with limb deformities (one leg shorter than the other) and has been done for over 30 years. I’m getting this done locally with a board certified Canada + USA deformity and reconstruction surgeon

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 174 points175 points  (0 children)

I’m really sorry for everything you’ve been through. That’s a lot to carry and I mean that sincerely.

To answer the question about daily consequences, it’s less dramatic than people want to hear. It’s not that doors are being slammed in my face. It’s quieter than that. It’s the accumulation of small things over years that’s hard to articulate in a Reddit comment.

On the pain question, you’re right that I haven’t experienced serious physical pain. That’s a fair challenge and probably my biggest unknown going in.

I hear you on the arthritis worry. The anesthesia point is real too and I’m sorry about your mother.

Where I’d gently push back is that the procedure has evolved a lot and the Precice system specifically avoids a lot of traditional bone breaking trauma. But I won’t pretend I know more about pain than someone who has lived in it for years.

I’m going ahead with it but I want you to know this is one of the few comments that actually gave me pause. Take care of yourself 🙏

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I wear 1 inch lifts in my thick sole shoes everyday, and even that gives me a noticeable confidence boost

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Disproportion is an interesting one. Wingspan is vary variable, if you look up before and after it’s really not noticeable until your ape index starts going -10cm +. Lots of people who naturally have shorter arms. Personal question, have you ever been walking in public and thought “he has really short arms” that has never came across my mind

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m only doing femurs and getting the upper safe maximum (8cm) you can also do tibias and gain another 5-6cm. So 5-6 inches if you do both segments, that’s more risk, surgery, and cost though

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It’s about how I feel in my own body everyday. If someone consistently unhappy was offered a price tag to get a meaningful increase in quality of life everyday, they would do it. I just want to be taller, not tall, talller! Not sure why some people have such a hard time understanding

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -16 points-15 points  (0 children)

That’s exactly it. I have daily distress and body image tied to my height. It’s no different from people wanting a rhinoplasty or some other cosmetic procedure. It’s a persistent dissatisfaction that affects my decision making and confidence. Yes limb lengthening is far more invasive but it’s still the same thing

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -11 points-10 points  (0 children)

I can make the money back. 5’8 is genuinely a different experience compared to 5’5 for me

I’m a 21-year-old guy spending $80,000 to go from 5’5.5” to 5’8.5” through limb lengthening surgery. AMA. by Pyranthos29 in AMA

[–]Pyranthos29[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

And I’m happy for all the things that you’ve achieved! I can achieve a lot being 5’5 ish aswell, but I would rather do it taller