I had LIMB LENGTHENING. AMA about my extra foot.

Hey Chandler! We went to elementary and middle school together. Go panthers! Lol

I saw you got your surgery a couple years ago on facebook, and was incredibly interested in learning more about it. Where did you have your surgery, and did your insurance cover it? How was the pain and PT afterward? How long did it take you to fully recover? Hope you’re doing well! You look amazing

hi! I had it done at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. insurance did cover it for me. pain was honestly not that bad, but I also have a pretty high pain tolerance lol. I did PT 5 days a week for 2-3 hours. it takes a few months to FULLY recover, but it was all SO WORTH it in the end :)

Did you originally grow the amount of skin for a person who wouldn't have dwarfism and it was sort of bunched up? Does your muscle /skin feel better after the procedures? I don't know how to ask that without it sounding rude but I don't mean it to be rude.

YES! to the first question lol that’s exactly it. muscles were a little tight after the fact.

you’re not rude at all! your first question actually helps answer a lot of the questions that have been asked ☺️

Why did my stupid ass sit here and think you tried to grow an extra foot as opposed to trying to lengthen your height?

idk probably because of the way I worded it lol

Is it an extra left foot or right foot?

Also, how has the way people treat you changed since surgery.

it's an extra foot in height - so both? lol

I also had a limb lengthening, 3 actually, but mine was to correct a single length discrepancy in my leg. Have you met many other people who have had this kind of procedure done?

you mean for dwarfism or one leg shorter than the other? either way the answer is yes :) i’ve actually made so many friends who had lengthening as well for their leg-length discrepancy. where did you have your procedures done if you don’t mind me asking. :)

https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Limb-Lengthening-Surgery-Creates-Controversy-269145341.html?amp=y

Is this you?

yep!

Do you ever hit your head on things that you never had to worry about?

no. I’m still pretty short lol

Were any of your friends against you having an operation? Do you drink hot coffee or iced coffee at midnight?

my friends were all supportive :)

iced coffee in the morning and afternoon. hot coffee at night.

Is there anything you miss about yourself pre-surgery?

nope

What was the biggest unexpected change for you following your surgery?

I noticed in the article that someone posted, it mentioned you were a college student at the time. What did you major in? What do you do now? What are you long term career ambitions?

unexpected was the face to face communication.

so my original major was biology, but now I’m in PR 😆 long term...I would love to be in communications at a hospital - basically a patient coordinator. I’ve also been considering law school lately. I’m just all over the place. lmao

In the news article someone posted where you’re interviewed, it says you knew you’d have to have surgeries down the road regardless. If you don’t mind me asking, what would those have been for? And will you still have to get them now?

I was referring to straightening my legs. it was a given because they were soooo bowed. I knew I would have to get them straightened so I was like “okay, I’ll lengthen too!” lol

Does insurance cover the surgery or is it considered cosmetic?

for dwarfism, it's not considered cosmetic so insurance did cover it for me.

is limb lengthening available for all? I'm a 5'0" male and I would kill to be 5'4"

Everyone is hating on that bagel fucker who 15 mins have kinda gone away, but I undestand his pain.

Anyway, how painful was everything surgery wise?

yes, anyone can lengthen. the center I had my procedures actually performs cosmetic limb lengthening. since I have an actual diagnosis mine was covered through insurance. the way my anatomy is lengthening was easier for me than someone without my diagnosis because of how my muscles, tissues, joints are.

Hope you're still answering!! I've seen your pics before and am so happy that you've been able to change your life in such a positive way. Very soon I'll be doing something similar with my own body.

My question is, in the future, would you consider additional surgeries to target the other common traits of your particular form of dwarfism?

The legthening surgeries seem so glaringly obvious as quality of life boosters, but wondering if you, as an individual, would change any other features associated with dwarfism.

I plan to answer as many as I can, but it’s 230 in the morning so I’m just scrolling through them for now lol. I’ll definitely answer more.

not gonna lie - I have considered rhinoplasty but that’s it. I haven’t moved forward with it or anything. just thought about it.

Which leg did you put the 3rd foot on?

what? lol

you say you're now 4'11" and can buy clothes off the rack and not alter them. my question is how, and where do you shop?! because i am naturally 4'11 and clothing is a struggle lmao.

PS, you look amazing!

lol it’s definitely easier. I have the best luck with pants from J. Crew - they have a lot of petite options.

Where did you get the black butterfly pants from?

kate spade on clearance :)

How did you settle on 4'11"? Is that personal preference, the limits of what can be done, etc.?

I have considered just going for 5'2"

Can growth hormones accomplish something similar?

not for achondroplasia

Have you ever been romantically linked to another person with dwarfism?

nope

Do any of your family members have the same condition?

nope, I'm the only one of me in my family lol

How are you handling the media coverage? Are you getting more unwanted sexual attention after going viral?

I’m pretty much an open book so I actually don’t mind the media coverage lol

Have you had the opportunity to ride a roller coaster?

yes and I actually hate roller coasters - too fast, jerky, etc. I like slow and calming rides lol

You wanna fuck?

no