Wasup Everyone. So I will be flying out Next Friday to Turkey from the USA to have CLL surgery with Dr. Buldu. The reason I went with Dr. Buldu is because I wanted to go to a surgeon that's doing this procedure on a daily basis and not just dabbling in CLL with other things. Also I've been in contact with a couple of his patients that are months post op and living normal life. I also chose Istanbul Turkey as the destination because I've been there last year and I personally found it to be a beautiful place and the people very hospitable. My surgery is on the 23rd of august and I plan on staying there until the end of November.
STATS
Height: 5'8"/ 173cm
Wingspan: 6ft/ 183cm I have long ass arms for some reason
Goal: 5'11"/ 181cm
I don't know my femur to Tiba length, or torso to legs length in case anyone was curious.. lol
A little back story. I heard about CLL years ago from some tv show. I think it was the Dr's tv show. I looked into it out of interest but nothing more than that. I actually have been content with my height for the majority of my life. Throughout High school and the majority of my 20's, I've never really thought much about height. I never was the shortest guy in the room, And when it came to women the majority of them are usually shorter than me. Rarely are they the same height or taller but it does happen. In real life, my height hasn't affected my dating life. I say real life because I know on apps women be having height requirements. I don't use tinder or any of those hookup apps. I'd love to though on the lonely nights, I'm not a snob 
...lol
Honestly my height started crossing my mind in my late 20's after my brother hit puberty and I noticed he surpassed me by a lot. My little brother is 6'2". We do not have the same father, but I believe his dad is 5'11-6ft and my father is maybe 6'3-6'4. My mother is 5'6 so she's pretty tall for a woman. I guess I took after her and not my dad..Genetics be having jokes..lol. My younger sister with the same dad I think she is 5'10, and then my brother's twin sister is the shortest of us all at 5'3-5'4.
Not gonna lie, my little brother being so much taller than me hurt my confidence a bit. I hate walking next to him in public. It's pretty embarrassing for me. Even though I have the tallest father in my entire family I'm the shortest guy in my family, immediate and extended. My height has been nagging at me for a few years now and as I'm currently in my early 30's and with things still semi locked down I feel its a good time to sneak off and get this done without many noticing I'm gone.
I got serious about CLL around last year when I was in the process of trying to get an osteotomy to correct my knock knees (genu valgum). Because my legs aren't aligned properly it's been giving me knee problems and discomfort. My legs rub together in the thigh area because my legs bow inwards so it gets very uncomfortable for me in the summer or when running so I usually wear spandex shorts under my joggers in the gym so my legs can move freely without sticking or rubbing together when on the treadmill.
To try to make a long story short I tried getting insurance to pay for my osteotomy through Dr. Visits, X-rays, etc. Specialist says theirs nothing wrong with my legs based on X-rays and recommend physical therapy. Physical therapist says a clearly have genu valgum but theres nothing I can do PT wise to fix that. I got tired of wasting my time and decided to take matters into my own hands. While looking into knock knee correction I found myself Looking at CLL surgeons as well. I came to the conclusion that if I'm getting my legs broken anyways, I might as well get some height out of it.
**So whether I was getting CLL or not I was still going to get my legs broken to fix my knock knees as it has been a Bane of my existence**
After talking to different surgeons I settled with Dr. Buldu. On top of CLL he will also be fixing my knock Knees. And YES price was a part of my decision. Price is always a consideration when going to turkey. Anyone saying otherwise is either lying or kidding themselves..lol..But price wasn't the only factor. Theres cheaper surgeons than Buldu believe it or not, but I'd never consider them. I went with LON because it is weight bearing. Yeah its a torture chamber up front but it has a faster recovery than Precice and for me time is money and I want to be living my life by next summer with this behind me. I'm prepared for the worst (pain wise) and hoping for the best.
As time approaches I'm getting more nervous for sure. I just want to be post op already to get past the surgery part. I'm honestly more excited about finally having straight legs than the increased height itself
Thats all I have to say for now. Not sure how much I'll be posting but will try to keep y'all up to date. Thanks for reading.
Taking the Plunge in Turkey with Dr. Buldu Using LON Method Femurs
Quote from: Activatedxx on August 10, 2021, 07:57:14 PMI required a second surgery because of a mistake during the first one. The second surgery broke my femur even more, so now even post op I cannot weight bear for a little while longer.
Very few reach 7cm+, out of 8 patients I became friends with during the beginning only me and one more reached 7.5cm+. Many stop at 5-6cm, no difference in gain than doing tibia. You will want the frames off the second you feel them on. Everyone sugar coats the process, worse than terrible is how I describe it honestly
Buldu does 3-4 surgeries every day. During removal I was his 4th one that day on a Sunday. I thought the same as you, that because he does so many he must have high skill.
It’s quality over quantity. A surgeon will not have the same focus after 8 hours of operation then starting on you. I doubt any USA doctors do more than 1 if not 2 per day.
To say it is a torture chamber is a major understatement, I feel that mentally I am not right after all the pain I went through. Even after recovery, these 3 months were a horror movie for me
Sorry you've had a difficult time man, sounds rough.
Thankfully between others accounts and people I've spoke with it sounds very painful so im expecting it.
I doubt USA docs do 1-2 surgeries a day as well. $80k-$100k a pop they really don't need to. that's 2-4 average American salaries in 1 day of work. I tip my hate to them.
Quote from: Activatedxx on August 10, 2021, 09:54:57 PMThey only use internals which is almost half of the charge + hospital fees is majority, I doubt they profit more than 10k-15k per surgery.
My intent to comment wasn’t to discourage you but to give you an honest experience. It’s not only physical pain, but so much mental and emotional. The hardest part for me was not being able to sleep for months, every day I cannot sleep without waking up every 2 hours
Thanks, Appreciate the honesty. Bags are packed, nothing stopping this train it's already in motion.. lol
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Quote from: Fiveandsomething on August 11, 2021, 09:06:08 AMThat “more” dude is a mfqn troll...don’t respond or address anything he says. He’s of a very high opinion. A keyboard veteran possibly in some degenerate a55 position.
I'm aware. Thats why I didn't acknowledge him.
Quote from: chasingthedream on August 11, 2021, 07:42:47 AMGo with precise man, you will not be able to weight bear, but al least you'll be comfortable.
no. but thanks
Quote from: chasingthedream on August 11, 2021, 02:47:17 PMI wish a smooth and complication free journey then! Good luck
Thanks man.
So I was chatting with LLT coordinator and told him I'd like to speak with Dr. Buldu himself since I haven't spoke to him only the coordinator. He said ok and asked if I was available in 3 hours, I said yes. The time had came snd went and I honestly forgot about it as I was buy with my day. When I realized 4.5 hours had passed I sent a reminder text. He apologized and said he'd be right with me. O'n a side note, I can understand this happening. I'm sure they are pretty busy with current patients and potential clients. I didn't sweat it because like I said I forgot myself and wouldn't have even been available when they called since I was running errands.
A little while later I received a call on my phone. When I picked up it was Sedat (He is the 1 and only coordinator for LLT) If you're taking to anyone else besides him, they are not affiliated with the company.. Just FYI. So when I picked up he greeted me then connected Dr. Buldu. I was shocked by his English. He speaks very good and clear English. So I asked him about my questions and concerns and a I was put at ease for the most post. I was impressed at the time of the call. It was after 3pm my time EST, so it had to be about 10:30 PM their time, which is crazy for someone who hasn't paid them a dime yet. So I guess he called when the doc was done attending to the patients for the day.
I would say theres nothing that can prepare you for this, wether you're doing this is the US or over seas, or regardless of what method you are planning to use to lengthen. This is all scary as , from fear of the unknown, As time gets closer I'll be honest, I getting more nervous as the day creeps closer. Even if I was doing it here at home, I'd still be ting bricks. I'm just not looking forward to the weird as sway walking I've seen. I've watched a bunch of videos here I can find and everyone has that first time 1 year old baby walk for months.. ugh... I fear that more than the surgery itself...lol. Then not many come back so you never know they walk has improved. I guess they just stop caring to return and update us when things go to normal for them.
I've been recording myself on my phone from different angles so I can remember my natural stride/walk before the surgery. I'm doing this so after surgery as I heal I will work on trying to emulate my old walk as close as possible so I can look normal.
Quote from: Fiveandsomething on August 13, 2021, 07:37:18 AMOn paper it should but for some it isn’t enough. I trashed all my shoe lifts before I came and don’t intend to ever purchase any. I know if I continue to wear shoe lifts after this process then the insecurity I hoped to cure was barely subdued and that would have been a failure for me.
I intend to wear slippers and slides for the rest of the year unless shoes are necessary. I never wore slides prior to cos they gave no height boost etc. I plan to embrace this 5.9.5 to its fullest.
I Can never let any insecurity push me to such extreme(but necessary) measures ever again and at times I’m still in shock that I followed through.
Some of y’all should try that as well to help overcome the insecurity moving forward after LL. No more lifts otherwise that insecurity will always linger.
At 5’9.5 you’re definitely good bro. As I said before I’m 5’8 and I’ve never been in a situation being the shortest guy in the room. You are taller than me now so you won’t have any issues.
Quote from: Fiveandsomething on August 15, 2021, 12:22:50 AMPhuck. Gahdamn. I have never been so homesick in my plucking life. It’s 3Am and I have been in this lobby for 10 mins or so just counting sheep.
I do not want to be here anymore and I have 1more week that feels like another month, currently on a 2hr hold with delta as I’m trying to see if I can move it up again.
I thought I needed “2 weeks of physio” but Phuck I just wanna be home in my bed and some familiarity. I feel like a kid writing this but damn man, I Phuck Ed myself by booking that return ticket.
Ugh Phuck traveling out the country....
I feel you bro. Thats why I chose Turkish air. Straight flight home with no connect and they usually are easy to reach and change flight if need be. Hopefully foully be able to find an earlier flight.
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