Constructive* surgeries.

Comments: 98 • Responses: 23  • Date: 

NCScharls91 karma

Is it really reconstructive surgery if you never had them to begin with? Wouldn't it just be constructive surgery?

landocalrission45 karma

Clever...

robert3290717 karma

You ever fisted someone?

landocalrission37 karma

As often as I possibly can.

landocalrission17 karma

Wolverine action: http://imgur.com/T6vT45Y

Dchelos16 karma

If you have the chance to get robotic fingers would you?

landocalrission51 karma

I wouldn't even question it. Luke Skywalker is a personal hero.

firedude768 karma

How has the surgery helped your hand? Can we see proof?

landocalrission15 karma

Proof: http://imgur.com/b4S5eNe

Edit: This is me now gripping a decent size book, thank you George R.R. Martin. http://imgur.com/XlBWACZ

firedude763 karma

Thank you. What is the hardest thing to do for you because of the hand?

landocalrission15 karma

Well, I love basketball, I played in high school, but developing my left hand when it came to dribbling was very difficult. It took roughly 3x as much practice as my right hand and still wasn't close to as good. But other than that, clipping my fingernails on my right hand is always rough.

landocalrission6 karma

This is before my first surgery, pretty innovative surgery in 1991. Those are three of my toe bones in front of my fingers.

daredaki-sama39 karma

but... what about your toes?

landocalrission7 karma

This is me bending my toe back. I can do this with three of my toes due to lack of bone: http://imgur.com/5XzENIB

daredaki-sama1 karma

How does it affect your standing, walking, general balance?

landocalrission3 karma

I don't feel like it affects any of the three, but I also don't know anything different.

FatalLozenge2 karma

Could you explain the surgeries that you've gone through to recreate fingers? I see mention of the bones in the photo being from your toes?

landocalrission4 karma

Yes. Well, I have had three different lengthening surgeries. My first surgery they took 3 bones from my toes (the knuckle bone), and essentially pinned them to the bones in my hand to fuse together. With the other lengthening surgeries they took bone from my pelvis. I have also had two webbing surgeries to remove the excess skin, and also a surgery because a couple of my fingers couldn't bend properly. I had to have some physical therapy for those. I will put another picture up to make it a little more clear.

kittyglitter_2 karma

Are you a righty or a lefty?

landocalrission2 karma

Righty. It would only be impossible the other way, unfortunately...

Miss-Omnibus2 karma

Has the desire to 'fit in functionally' been the driving force behind getting your fingers constructed? Looking at people and working with some who have had birth defects and amputations that have chosen not to have any surgical procedures done, and live life to the full, what has been behind your decision?

landocalrission1 karma

Well I was super young when I first started getting surgeries. It is an easier process when you are in your childhood. Once I reached puberty, they decided to stop due to the fact that the recovery process would have been more like 10 months rather than 6 or 7. So fitting in didn't really play a role. My parents wanted me to have as much function as possible. I thank them for it a lot.

madamgeek1 karma

you are talking about more surgeries. so it's a work in progress? when will you be done? will you always be striving to attain something closer to a perceived perfection, or are there diminishing returns that make further operations less and less appealing?

landocalrission1 karma

I have been done for 10 years...

xanthela1 karma

Are you left or right handed?

landocalrission3 karma

I am right-handed. My parents think I was suppose to be a left because as a baby I tried to always pick things up with my left, but that obviously didn't work out super well.

jlha1 karma

My best bud from college has the same condition on his left hand as well. From what I can tell he has had no surgeries, the "nubs" are very short and still near to the wrist.

My question is, would it be too late for him to have a surgery such as this being 20 years old and 21 in Dec?

landocalrission2 karma

I actually don't think it is ever too late, but I think the recovery process might be a little more difficult. BUT, I also think that going from no bone in his nubs to have some there and having more function will honestly change his life.

RoseBladePhantom1 karma

It might sound insensitive but honestly, any awkward "Hey, nice to meet you NoobInArms!" extends arms. No offense.

landocalrission2 karma

I only get offended when people who don't know me make fun of the deformity. My close friend and I all have running jokes with it.

Gravy-Leg__1 karma

Any more surgeries on the horizon?

landocalrission3 karma

I have actually thought about getting reconstructive surgery on my toes. I am 23 now and more finger lengthening surgeries just seem like a hassle now.

LikesToSmile1 karma

How old were you when they did the original surgeries? Did your toes develop at all after removing the knuckle bones?

landocalrission1 karma

I just put up a picture near the top of the page.

SunilClark1 karma

Interesting. I was born with one (technically 2) fingers on my left hand.

landocalrission1 karma

Do an AMA.

GingerEff1 karma

I worked with a doctor for 2 summers and did research on this! Very interesting stuff, and looks like you are doing great with your fingers. I'm curious, what city did you get the surgeries done in? I don't believe that too many doctors do this kind of stuff.

landocalrission1 karma

Indianapolis Hand Center under Dr. William Klineman. He was an incredible doctor.

SchuylerL1 karma

What has motivated you to undergo these surgeries to look like other people? Is your hand not functional to grasp? Why not work on finding comfort in the fact that everyone is different and this is your thing? Thank you for doing this AMA and answering my questions.

landocalrission2 karma

Good question. I did not have a lot of say in the surgeries because I was so young. BUT, I thank my parents for doing it a lot now-a-days because the level of functioning has improved about 200% they said. I played high school basketball. I am not sure that would have happened otherwise.

drNothing1 karma

When you dream, have you ever used your hand with all 5 fingers?

There have been studies stating that the "human form" is engrained in the psyche and can over-ride the outer form..referenced before on reddit (http://sl.reddit.com/r/science/comments/1c2j28/interesting_paper_woman_born_with_three_fingers/)

landocalrission2 karma

I think because it has been such a part of who I am, that the idea of dreaming with 5 normal fingers hasn't even occurred. But I am working on lucid dreaming so I will make this a priority.

piecones31 karma

Sorry to ask you something so strange or maybe even rude, but how was life in your childhood? Any advantages or disadvantages?

landocalrission1 karma

I got made fun of for sure, but I also had people who stuck up for me a lot. I had a great childhood, except for the surgeries.