How to Prepare for Limb Lengthening Surgery?

Learn how to prepare for limb lengthening surgery with this step-by-step guide. From consulting your doctor to post-surgery care, understand the whole process and prepare for a successful treatment. 

Discover every step to consider when preparing for limb lengthening surgery. Learn how to manage the recovery process, from communicating with your doctor to post-surgery care. This guide will support you through each phase, from medical checkups to physical activities.

 

1. Communication with Your Doctor

 

• Personal Research: Before deciding on limb lengthening surgery, it's important to review reliable online sources and check patient examples. This way, you'll make a more informed and healthier decision.

 

• Consult with a Patient Consultation Expert: As the first limb lengthening center in Turkey, we have provided information services to thousands of clients over the years. You can consult with our patient consultation expert to get preliminary information about the healing process, methods, costs and complications before your doctor’s examination.

 

• Doctor Consultation: Before starting the limb lengthening surgery, it’s crucial to consult with an orthopedic doctor. The doctor will evaluate if the surgery is suitable for you, inform you about your health history, the risks of surgery and the recovery process. Choosing an experienced doctor is important. Our specialist, Associate Professor Dr. Yunus Öç , is highly qualified and will assist you through the process.

 

• Prepare Your Questions: If you have any questions about the surgery, make a list. For example: inquire about the surgery's duration, pre-surgery precautions, recovery time, potential risks and complications. Get detailed information from our advisors.

   

2. Health Checkups

 

• General Health Evaluation: Some medical tests may be required to ensure the surgery is safe for you. Blood tests, X-rays and other check-ups will determine if you are fit for surgery. If you are over 40, a bone mineral density test is also necessary. Our clinic provides you with secure and detailed medical services.

 

• Share Your Health Issues: If you have a history of surgery, regularly take medication or have any health problems or allergies, share this information with your doctor. This is essential for planning your surgery and ensuring a smooth recovery.

 

3. Before Surgery Preparation

 

If you would like to review the thoughts and expectations of our 21-year-old Turkish patient who underwent limb lengthening surgery using the LON method from the tibia, you can watch the interview below.

 

• Exercise and Physical Activity: Engaging in sports and exercises before surgery strengthens your bones and helps stretch your muscles. Heavy exercises such as squats, dead-lifting, heavy lifting, dumbbells and similar heavy exercises should be stopped before the operation, because if they are not stopped, muscle density and tension increase. This will make the lengthening process more painful and cause other negative side effects. Regular exercises before surgery can positively impact your post-surgery recovery. If you’re curious about which exercises are helpful, you can check out our "Comprehensive Pre-Surgery Exercises" guide.

 

• Balanced Diet: A healthy and balanced diet before surgery is known to have a positive impact on recovery. Pay attention to consuming foods rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Also, don't forget to drink plenty of water. After the surgery, we also offer nutritionist services to help manage your diet.

 

• Quit Smoking and Alcohol: Smoking and alcohol negatively affect your recovery process. If you smoke, you should quit before the surgery. For more information on whether smoking hinders limb lengthening surgery, click here.

 

4. Preparation for Surgery Day

 

• Prepare Your Personal Belongings: Get the necessary items ready for your surgery When choosing clothes, you can make sure that they are comfortable, suitable for the season and also that the legs are wide according to the method you will be operated on. You can also bring a visa, personal hygiene products, adapters suitable for the country, books and magazines. Remember that you will stay in the hospital for five nights, so prepare accordingly.

 

• Arrange Transportation and Support: Arrange for someone to help you on the day of surgery and afterwards. Our company arranges your transportation and all transfer support services where you can get support from someone who speaks your native language. You can come to the hospital with a companion and go through the whole process with and under the control of the companion.

 

5. After Surgery Care

 

• Take Your Medication Regularly: It's crucial to take the medication your doctor prescribes according to the instructions. Antibiotics will prevent infections, blood thinners reduce the risk of embolism and painkillers will make your recovery more comfortable. In case of severe pain, stronger prescription painkillers may be used. Regular and correct medication usage will ensure a smooth recovery.

 

• Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy: Avoid intense physical activities right after surgery. Regular exercises during the recovery period will have a positive effect on your healing process. Our physiotherapists will guide you through exercises and treatments during this stage. Be sure to follow their and your doctor’s instructions. Also, avoid resuming heavy sports activities too soon, as this can affect your bone development.

 

• Wound Care: Be very careful with wound care after surgery. To prevent infections, maintain good hygiene. Our caregivers will provide you with clean and comfortable services to support you through your recovery.

 

6. Recovery Tips

 

• Continue Doctor Visits: After surgery, you will need to visit your doctor at regular intervals. These checks are important to monitor your recovery and detect potential problems such as infection. Our clinic prioritizes patient satisfaction and ensures constant communication between you and your doctor. The doctor comes to the hotel, which our team has an agreement with for a follow-up visit every two weeks. Patients who will spend the prolongation period in the hospital or near the hotel are checked by the nurses of our team and the current situation is communicated to the doctor. In cases where the doctor deems appropriate, the patient can go to the hospital for examination.

 

• Seek Support from Family and Friends: Although many people prefer to keep limb lengthening surgery private, it may be helpful to seek support from people who can assist you. Family support can boost your motivation and speed up your recovery. If family help is not possible, you can reach out to friends for assistance. For patients who prefer to stay in our hotel, we strive to provide the best support environment. For those who choose to recover at home, we recommend at least having one person available to help. Also, our company offers our patients an optional online psychotherapy session.

 

7. Potential Issues and Emergencies

 

• Be Aware of Potential Complications: If you experience any unusual symptoms beyond the side effects your doctor mentioned, don’t hesitate to inform your doctor or nurse.

 

• What to Do in Emergencies: Before surgery, we create a personalized WhatsApp group for you. This group includes your doctor’s assistant, patient consultation expert, physiotherapists, nurses, patient representative and quality control staff. You can ask any questions in this group and address potential complications early on. The group is available at all times, ensuring that you feel safe.

 

This guide summarizes the steps you should consider while preparing for limb lengthening surgery. Get in contact us for a safer and smoother surgery process. Follow us on our website, YouTube and Instagram for more information. For more details about  WannaBeTaller, click here. We wish you good health!