There are several Leg Lengthening techniques and all of them are very complicated. If you are considering this procedure, make sure you have it done by a fully qualified doctor at a major medical facility. Here are a few questions you should ask during your first visit. You must be absolutely comfortable with the answers.

• The Doctor
  • What are the doctor's credentials?
  • Where did he or she study the procedure? This is a particularly important question. Some doctor's have not been properly trained and use their own unproven techniques.
  • What is the doctor's specialty?
  • How many times has the doctor successfully performed the procedure?

• The Facility
  • Is the doctor associated with a major medical facility. A teaching hospital tends to use the most advanced procedures.
  • How often has the procedure been performed at the medical facility?
  • How good is the information they provide about the operation?
  • Do they have brochures?
  • Do they do pre-surgery interviews and psychological evaluations?
  • Can they provide counseling after surgery if needed?
  • How comprehensive is their Web site?
  • If the facility is in a foreign country, how well do the doctors and staff speak your language so your needs can be understood and met?

• The Operation
  • Which version of the operation is used and how recently was it developed?
  • What is the success rate with this version?
  • How often has this version been performed at this facility by this doctor?

• Risk of Complications
  • What is the risk of each minor, major, or long-term complication?
  • What are the corrective actions for each possible complication?
  • What specific problem or habits may make cause difficulty? For example:
    • Age
    • Smoking
    • Weight problem
    • Anemia
    • Poor blood circulation
    • Poor history of exercise

• Physical Therapy
  • Is there a formal physical therapy program?
  • What types of physical therapy are performed that are specific to leg lengthening recovery?
  • How often is physical therapy performed?
  • What is the typical duration?
  • Is pain management handled differently during these times?

• Pain Management
  • What is the pain management routine?
  • What specific medications will be prescribed immediately after surgery and during recovery?
  • Does the facility offer self-administered pain management?
  • Can you arrange to bring your own pain medication following surgery? If you plan to have the surgery in another country, make sure you have proof that the medications are for you so they won't be confiscated by border authorities.
  • What will the doctor prescribe if you can not sleep, either because of pain or because of other factors?

• Recovery
  • How long will you have to stay in the medical facility?
  • How long will you have to stay near the medical facility? You will typically need to be examined by the surgeon every two to four weeks during Strengthening and Lengthening.
  • Will the medical facility help you locate a place to stay during recovery? This is especially important if you plan to have your surgery in another country.
  • Can arrangements be made for a physician closer to home to monitor your progress?
  • How long will it be before you can expect to walk, based on your personal factors?
  • How long will it be before the external fixator device can be removed?
  • Will the external fixator device be motorized for continuous lengthening or is the device lengthened manually?
  • What responsibilities will family members have for your recovery?

• References
  • Ask for references for people who had successful outcomes.
  • Ask for references for people who had complications so you can understand how well the doctor and the medical facility responded.

When you talk to the doctor, make sure he or she is really listening to you and to your concerns. The doctor should answer ALL your questions and none should be dismissed as unimportant or as an issue that can be deferred until later. Remember, if your questions are important to you, they should be important to your doctor.