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North Wales Live
18-07-2025
- Health
- North Wales Live
'Normal and active' Welsh man struck down after tick bite 'changed everything'
A man incapacitated by a tick bite causing Lyme disease has revealed he's forked out close to £150,000 on private treatment just to feel "four out of 10". Steven Williams, 39, from Bridgend, was once leading an active life, regularly exercising, holding down a civil service job and playing in a rock band – until a drastic shift occurred one week in March 2021. He recounted the onset of severe heart palpitations, fatigue, and crippling anxiety and depression, along with new food intolerances and gastrointestinal problems. The man who used to be the "steady one in the group" suddenly found himself struggling with basic activities like taking out the rubbish, watching telly or even bathing due to overwhelming mental health issues. After seven months of ineffective treatments prescribed by his GP, it was finally identified that he had Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by infected ticks. He argued that the NHS's standard two-week antibiotic treatment wouldn't touch the sides at his stage of the illness, leading him since his diagnosis in October 2021 to spend roughly £150,000 on international private healthcare, even remortgaging his home to cover the costs. Despite spending a fortune on treatment, Steven has only seen marginal improvements in his health and is stuck living a monotonous, restricted life, subsisting on a few bland foods and engaging in minimal activities just to get by. "I just want to regain some of my old quality of life," he confided to PA Real Life. "It's small things like being able to meet friends for a meal, listen to music and do exercise.", reports Wales Online. "Since March 2021, although my symptoms have waxed and waned, I've never felt better than a four out of 10. The NHS is an amazing institution, and my GP has been so supportive, but a two-week course of Doxycycline is all they've been able to offer. For people who fall between the cracks, the system is too rigid." Ticks that may cause Lyme disease are found all over the UK but high-risk places include grassy and wooded areas in southern England and the Scottish Highlands, the NHS says. Steven said he does not know when exactly he was bitten and he did not get a "bullseye rash", a typical tell-tale mark surrounding the bite. But despite common belief, the rash is only present in a minority of Lyme disease patients, according to Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Centre. Living in South Wales, Steven spent long hours walking in the mountains and forests with his dog, Jarvis, and suspects he may have been bitten there, though he believes it could have been any number of days, weeks or even years before his symptoms first showed. In March 2021, he said his life as he knew it ended abruptly as he was struck with sudden, severe bouts of depression and anxiety, as well as heart palpitations. He said he also suddenly became highly intolerant to many food types and experienced significant gastrointestinal issues, and he found he was easily overstimulated, meaning he was unable to watch TV, socialise or even listen to music. "It's very hard to explain but, as someone who used to play in a rock band, that's a hard pill to swallow," he said. Steven visited a GP in March 2021 but said it was not until October that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. "I knew something was not right and that my symptoms weren't characteristic of me. It was terrifying," he said. "I'd heard of the term Lyme disease but when I found out I had it, I thought, 'Great, now I can treat it and be well'. Lo and behold, it wasn't that simple." Steven said it was too late for the NHS-prescribed Doxycycline to be effective, so he was left to find his own remedies. He claims he has tried a huge range – pharmaceutical, herbal and holistic – and has travelled all over the world to do so. In February 2022, he said he visited a clinic in Bavaria, Germany, to receive intravenous antibiotics and whole-body hyperthermia, a treatment that uses heat to raise the body temperature, stimulating the immune response. While this successfully killed the Borrelia bacteria that cause Lyme disease, he says, it did not impact the Babesia parasite, which infects red blood cells, causing flu-like symptoms. Returning to Wales after his treatment in March 2022, Steven said he unfortunately contracted Covid-19. Since his immune system was compromised, he said the effects of this were severe and he was left with long Covid, causing fatigue, thickening his blood and further hindering his progress. Following this, Steven said he has sought several other remedies – he visited Mexico to receive stem cell therapy and flew to New York on several occasions to work with Lyme disease specialist Dr Richard Horowitz. He also tried extended fasting and herbal remedies and, in February 2025, he said he flew to India to receive Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy, a treatment which uses immunoglobulins, a type of protein that contain antibodies, which are taken from human blood. While this had a positive impact on his food intolerances, he says, he remains well below full health, struggling with sleep and forced to live a strict, simple lifestyle. "I have to live such a robotic life, just to feel semi-normal," he says. Overall, Steven thinks he has spent nearly £150,000 seeking treatments. He said his course in Germany was in the region of £35,000 and his IVIg treatment in India cost £20,000. Steven said he was forced to remortgage his house to pay for them but he is determined to continue searching for an effective remedy. His friend Alecs Donovan has therefore set up a GoFundMe page to help him fund the next round of treatment in Germany, which he said will thin his blood and reduce the effects of long Covid. "Alecs has been absolutely amazing," he says. "She's such a wonderful person, always trying to help others. "Health really is wealth, so I'm so grateful to everyone who has donated. I just hope I can get my normal life back." A spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board said: "While it is not appropriate for us to comment on the care received by individuals, we encourage Mr Williams to get in touch with our concerns team directly so that we can explore his concerns further." To donate or find out more, visit Steven's GoFundMe page. The NHS says not all ticks carry the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but it is still important to be aware of ticks and to safely remove them as soon as possible. For more information, visit
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drag artist's local Chinese takeaway calls to check he is ‘still alive' after losing 14st
A drag artist's local Chinese takeaway was so concerned about his sudden weight loss that they called to check he was "still alive" after he shed 14 stone using Mounjaro injections. Jordan Bateman, a 31-year-old from Swansea, tipped the scales at 28st (177.8kg) in July 2024, standing at 5ft 9ins tall, and found himself "breathless" during performances as his drag persona, Ruby Slippers. Now, Jordan has slimmed down to 14st (88.9kg), thanks to Mounjaro – a treatment he started privately through digital healthcare provider Numan before it was announced that it would be available on the NHS. It has transformed his life by cutting out motorway fast-food feasts, working with a personal trainer,. READ MORE: Police appeal as man found dead inside his home READ MORE: Vocational skills to be offered at new secondary school in Swansea He says he feels like he has added "20 years" to his life. He shared that he's spent over £3,000 in the medication since last August but now saves on food and no longer requires costly bespoke costumes, having gone from a size 4XL to a medium. Jordan, who juggles roles as an entertainment manager at a leading holiday park and performs across Britain as a stand-in, as well as working as a drag queen, is now even open to love for the first time in his adult life. He admits to feeling more "confident" following his lifestyle changes, but his drastic transformation raised eyebrows at his favourite takeaway. "This is so embarrassing, my local Chinese actually phoned my house to see if I was still alive," Jordan recounted to PA Real Life. "Before my weight-loss journey, I would be on the M4 after gigging all weekend and, on the drive home, I'd ring my local Chinese and say, 'Can I have my order?'. "I wouldn't even need to say what I wanted, it would already be there. I'd typically go for lemon chicken, seaweed, egg fried rice, chips, prawn crackers and duck spring rolls." He added: "I could never eat any of that to that extent and that amount any more – in fact, I haven't had a Chinese for a whole year now!". Growing up in Swansea, Jordan was an extremely active child, constantly singing, dancing or acting. But after entering the entertainment industry aged 18, having studied performance and childcare at college, the demands of life on the road took a toll. "There's no kitchen when you're on the road, so my diet became all about what I could get at service stations – Greggs, McDonald's, that sort of thing," he said. "After a show, you'd go to the pub, then grab a pizza or a takeaway back at your digs. Everyone did it, so I didn't really notice how much weight I was gaining." But in July 2024, while performing This Is The Moment from the musical Jekyll & Hyde as Ruby Slippers, something changed. "I couldn't get through the song, I couldn't breathe, and I thought 'This isn't normal'," Jordan recalled. He revealed that he visited his GP in July 2024 and was informed he weighed 28st, which he admitted "shocked" him, despite being aware that he was overweight. "I'd done fad diets before, I'd even been on Channel 4's How To Lose Weight Well, but nothing stuck – this time I knew it had to be different," he elaborated. Jordan said he initially considered a gastric sleeve but did not want to feel restricted in terms of what he could eat and, upon his GP's advice, opted for Mounjaro instead. The NHS says Tirzepatide, also called Mounjaro, is a weekly injection that patients do themselves, making them feel fuller for longer and, therefore, less hungry. It is advised that anyone taking the injection should eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and exercise regularly. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here Starting from August 2024, Jordan began upping his injection dosage monthly, but later reduced it due to nausea, following guidance from Numan. Jordan has spent over £3,000 on the treatment in total but believes it has been "worth every penny". However, he warns others that injections are not an easy fix. "It's a commitment – you mentally and physically have to change what you do for it to work," he says. Jordan's grocery shopping now looks drastically different, swapping out "chocolate, crisps, lots of heavy carbs" with "no colour" for a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. He is also working with a personal trainer and following a nutrition plan as part of efforts to sustain his new lifestyle after he stops taking the medication when he reaches his weight goal of 12st (76.2kg). To avoid unhealthy eating while on tour, he prepares his meals ahead of time, steering clear of service station options. He notes that Ruby's persona has always been "confident" and "larger than life", but now, Jordan finds himself needing fewer breaks during performances and is comfortable "having (his) arms out" while on stage. Jordan can also be more active when entertaining kids at the holiday park – and has noticed children draw him differently now, no longer representing him as a "circle" but rather a typical "stick figure". Jordan, who is gay, says he has been single all of his adult life due to work commitments but now feels "empowered" to date for the first time after feeling "more confident" in his body. His transformation has drawn positive remarks from friends, family, and colleagues, though he confesses his mind is still catching up with the changes. From not needing a plane seatbelt extender on a recent holiday to Tenerife, to having space between his stomach and the steering wheel when driving, the benefits of his transformation are manifold. "I've still got a belly, however it's not as rounded and not as ghastly to look at," Jordan admits. He recalls the relief of being able to confidently walk around shirtless on holiday. "Now I feel confident that I can walk into a theme park and go on to a rollercoaster and enjoy those weight-restricted activities without any kind of embarrassment." Jordan appreciates the challenging moment that prompted him to re-evaluate his lifestyle choices. He urged others to consult their GP if they're contemplating the use of weight-loss medication. "If I'd continued without a care in the world, I dread to think how heavy I would be now," he remarked. "I reckon in a year I'd have probably put another two stone or more on. "I've probably added about 20 years on to my life expectancy – at 28 stone I was probably moments away from a heart attack or a stroke, and that for me is a massive life turnaround."
Scottish Sun
16-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
It feels like I'm burning alive after ‘pregnancy rash' that makes me look like a corpse left me suicidal
Rachel had to give birth via emergency C-section as she could barely move from the pain and swelling 'NO ESCAPE' It feels like I'm burning alive after 'pregnancy rash' that makes me look like a corpse left me suicidal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A YOUNG MUM feels like she's 'burning alive' due to a "pregnancy rash" that erupted across her body - to the point she can't hold her baby son on her lap and has been left suicidal. Rachel Bradford, 30, was 24 weeks pregnant in March 2024 when she noticed an 'extraordinarily itchy' rash breaking out over her skin, covering her body in red blotches. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 11 Rachel Bradford, 30, was 24 weeks pregnant when an itchy rash appeared on her body Credit: PA Real Life 11 Her symptoms worsened despite doctors telling her they'd subside after birth Credit: PA Real Life 11 Rachel's body feels like it's on fire and her skin blisters or turns black Credit: PA Real Life The mum, who lives in Torbay, Devon, with her husband of two years, Jack, 31, was told by doctors the rash was likely pregnancy-related and would go away when she gave birth. But Rachel watched in horror when just two weeks later the skin all over her body turned a 'burning' red. It 'blistered' in some spots and went black in others, making her look like 'a dead person'. Rachel kept pushing for answers in hospital but she felt 'no-one was listening' and was 'sent away' several times. Rachel gave birth to her son Michael via an emergency C-section in May 2024, as her legs were so swollen and painful she was unable to open them. But her symptoms persisted, making her body feel like like it was 'constantly on fire'. It forced her to step back from her job as a support worker. Feeling like there was "no escape" from her pain, the mum also began grappling with suicidal thoughts. In February this year, Rachel was eventually diagnosed with erythromelalgia, a rare condition that causes burning pain, redness, hot skin, and chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS). 'It feels like I'm burning alive, like my body is constantly on fire,' Rachel said. 'This condition has taken everything away from me, pregnancy and motherhood, my job, my mobility, my independence – I can't even play with my son.' Ear piercing left my 'body on fire' I can't leave home & only eat cold food Jack, an assistant store manager for an agricultural storage facility, added: 'There's always a part of Rachel's body which is constantly on fire and it doesn't go away. 'She can't escape it, from the moment she opens her eyes, it's the first thing she feels.' Rachel had no major health issues before breaking out in the 'extraordinarily itchy' rash during her pregnancy. 'There was a point where Rachel would be sleeping with her nails in her shoulders, digging in so she didn't scratch herself,' Jack recalled. 11 Rachel had no health issues before the rash Credit: PA Real Life 11 Now the pain is the first thing she notices when she wakes up Credit: PA Real Life 11 She was eventually diagnosed with erythromelalgia Credit: PA Real Life 11 It causes burning pain, redness and hot skin Credit: PA Real Life The couple visited their doctor, but Rachel said she was told it was likely a pregnancy-related symptom which would subside after she gave birth. Two weeks later however, Rachel said her rash became 'really bad', prompting the couple to phone NHS 111 – and they were advised to seek help at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. 'They told us it was nothing to worry about and we were sent away,' Jack said. Rachel's rash then changed, turning red and 'boiling hot', and Jack recalled feeling the heat radiate from his wife's skin. 'It's thought it's related to her blood vessels – so they will either completely constrict and she will look like a dead person, or it will go the other way to the point her skin will blister,' Jack explained. This started on Rachel's arms and legs, before it spread to her head, face, hands, neck, back, shoulders and ears. Jack and Rachel claim they visited the A&E department at Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital several times over the subsequent weeks and were left waiting for hours before being 'sent away'. 'We were still being told it could go after pregnancy, it was just sort of brushed off,' Jack said. What is erythromelalgia? Erythromelalgia is a rare condition that causes burning pain, redness and hot skin, mainly in the feet. It can be constant or come and go, but treatment and avoiding triggers can help. The main symptoms are: Burning pain, which often starts as itching Redness – this can look different on brown or black skin Warm or hot skin Other symptoms include: Swelling Sweating more than normal The pain can either be constant or come and go. When the pain comes, it might be called a flare-up. A flare-up can come on gradually or suddenly, and last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. Your skin may feel cold after a flare-up and look blue or grey. It's often not clear what causes erythromelalgia. Sometimes it's caused by another condition or a faulty gene inherited from one of your parents. At this stage, Rachel was heavily pregnant and wheelchair-bound as the condition left her with swollen limbs. 'Mentally, I was not right, I was suicidal,' Rachel said. 'I was praying the pain would stop – I couldn't take it anymore and I felt no one was listening to me, no one was taking me seriously.' Rachel delivered her baby, Michael, via an emergency C-section at Torbay Hospital on May 31, 2024. 'I couldn't have a natural birth anyway because I couldn't open my legs,' Rachel said. 'They were so swollen from the condition and my mobility was almost nothing at that point.' The couple later submitted a complaint to the maternity ward in Torbay Hospital, and the hospital apologised that 'Rachel's experience of her care was not a positive one'. 11 The mum has struggled to get support and treatment for her condition, even after diagnosis Credit: PA Real Life 11 Rachel is has been left in so much pain that she can't play with little Michael or hold him on her lap Credit: PA Real Life 11 Jack said Rachel 'can't escape' from her symptoms Credit: PA Real Life 11 Rachel also experiences uncontrollable spasms and joint pain Credit: PA Real Life 'Absolutely horrendous' It's not always clear what causes erythromelalgia, but sometimes another condition or a faulty gene inherited from a parent can be to blame, according to the NHS. Erythromelalgia can be difficult to treat, and those with the condition may need to try different treatment combinations to find ones that work. Rachel said she also suffers from uncontrollable spasms, brain fog, joint pain and loss of feeling in her extremities. The couple claim they visited Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital for Rachel's care and pain management but were told by hospital staff to 'put some socks on' and that they 'can't do anything else' to help Rachel. Rachel said the condition has weighed greatly on her mental health. 'If Michael sits on Rachel's lap for even just five minutes, it causes her thighs to flare up,' Jack said. 'Rachel is an amazing mum and to see her completely limited by something outside of her control, it's absolutely horrendous.' The mum is now trying new medications in the hopes it will relieve her symptoms. The couple have also launched a GoFundMe page, raising over £2,000 so far, to help them access scrambler therapy in Italy – a non-invasive treatment helping patients with chronic pain. 'If we have the money for another option, another treatment…I don't want Rachel to be hitting a point where she says we have nothing more to try,' Jack said. You can visit Jack and Rachel's GoFundMe page here.
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Family 'fed-up' of UK is selling everything to move to Thailand
Family 'fed-up' of UK is selling everything to move to Thailand They plan to arrive there 'with nothing but a bag of clothes' Dale's wife, Kim, and their two children, Noah and Molly (Image: PA Real Life ) A father-of-two planning to move his family from the UK to Thailand with 'nothing but a bag of clothes' to seek a better quality of life has urged others not to live 'in regret'. Dale Smith, 37, who lives with his wife, Kim, 36, and their two children, Noah, 10, and Molly, eight, recently noticed his family feel 'trapped' and 'fed up' living in the UK – where his pay cheque has stopped landing in his pocket, covering rising costs instead, and his children do not enjoy their education. The HGV driver said he and his family are desperate to break out of their routine where they wish away the days for the weekend – and, determined to make a change, they are planning to relocate to Thailand for the 'beautiful scenery' and the 'incredible food'. To fund their move and subsequent travels, the family plans to sell their three-bedroom home, their 2015 Ford Focus, and most of their electronics and personal items, with the aim of arriving in Bangkok with 'nothing but a bag of clothes' and a pot of savings behind them. With the children taken out of school, Dale said he and Kim will homeschool them instead, aiming to connect with other expat families while overseas, and he hopes Noah and Molly will 'learn new languages and learn about new cultures' in the process. Dale has been sharing his journey on TikTok, where his most popular video discussing his reasons for leaving the UK, such as the rising cost of living and the poor weather, has had more than one million views. Feeling 'terrified' but 'excited' all the same, the family have set a target date for November to get their plans in motion – and they hope to have their house in Nottinghamshire on the market in August. 'Don't live your life in regret,' Dale told PA Real Life. 'If you want to do something like this, don't be afraid, don't give up. It scares me to death to think we're just chasing this dream of 'one day this will happen' or 'when we're retired it will be nice'. We need to embrace this and enjoy our lives, we've got nothing to lose.' Dale said his family feel 'trapped' and 'fed up' living in the UK. 'We just want to break out of this routine, I feel like life is just flying by,' he said. 'You wake up on a Monday, you're fed up and you can't wait for the weekend – you're wishing the days away.' Article continues below The family hopes to relocate in November (Image: PA Real Life ) Dale also feels crime and the cost of living have made the UK 'not a nice place to live any more'. 'The prices of everything are going up and the streets are a state,' he said. He added he took on his job as an HGV driver a few years ago, which 'doubled' his income, but he soon realised his pay cheque was not landing in his pocket. 'That extra money is just going on bills, the bills have now doubled – you're banging your head against a brick wall,' he said. Determined to make a change, Dale and his family have decided to embark on an exciting journey relocating to Thailand – saying his two children were on board 'straight away'. 'I think this is the right time for them, they don't enjoy school here and they find it a bit pointless,' he said. Dale anticipates he and Kim will homeschool their children, continuing to focus on English and basic maths, as well as other subjects they enjoy studying, such as history, video editing and photography. 'Kids are sponges, so hopefully they will start learning the Thai language,' he said. 'Noah and Molly will still have the opportunity to do their GCSEs if they want to, we're not holding them back on anything in relation to their education.' To afford the travel costs, Dale said the family plans to arrive in Thailand with barely any belongings. They are aiming to sell their home, their car, their electronics and most of their possessions – although they will store some items of sentimental value with relatives in the UK. 'We plan to go to Thailand with nothing but a bag of clothes, because what else would we need?' he said. While the family do not have concrete plans for their travels, they have set a target for November to leave the UK – pending the sale of their house, which they are hoping to put on the market in August. Dale said they have since been doing 'loads' of research around their visa applications, flights and the places they wish to visit, saying they will first travel to Bangkok for one week. From there, they plan to move down the coast to Hua Hin, a beachside district, for a few months. Dale urged others not to live 'in regret' (Image: PA Real Life ) 'We need to base ourselves somewhere cheap for a month or two to try and figure out our spending costs – from there, we'll work out where we'll go next,' he said. Dale said he is most excited for the 'adventure' of their travels. 'I don't like having things planned, every day we'll be waking up wondering what we are going to do today,' he said. Dale hopes the family can rent a property overseas, saying many places are fully furnished, which would be 'one thing (they) don't have to worry about'. With their extended family still living in the UK, Dale said they may return in the future, but 'it depends'. 'That's the joy of doing what we are doing, we can come back if we need to and spend quality time with our relatives,' he said. While Dale did not wish to say how much the family have saved, he said they should have enough money to support them for a few years. Dale is also posting the family's journey on TikTok and YouTube, under the handle @ which may give them 'a little bit of extra income'. His most popular TikTok video to date, with 1.5 million views, shows Dale sitting in his car and discussing his reasons for wanting to relocate – earning positive comments from others who have moved away from the UK. Article continues below 'I think it'll be fun,' he said. 'It's scary and I'm terrified, but I think it'll be amazing – especially for the children. We'll have a better quality of life, we'll be more present with the kids, the weather will be nicer and the scenery will be prettier – it's a no-brainer.'
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I paid £36k to add 3.7inches to my height – and had to use an Allen key to stretch my legs every day
'People don't understand how us short kings feel,' Irakli said TALL TALES I paid £36k to add 3.7inches to my height – and had to use an Allen key to stretch my legs every day Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SELF-CONFESSED 'short king' Irakli Archvadze forked out £36,000 on surgery to break his legs and increase his height by almost 4 inches. After the operation, the 36-year-old from Tbilisi, Georgia, endured months of "intense pain" having to stretch his own legs using an Allen key. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Irakli Archvadze's leg lengthening op left him almost 4 inches taller Credit: PA Real Life 5 At 5ft 7in, the 36-year-old was unhappy with his height Credit: PA Real Life 5 The major operation involved surgeons breaking both of his legs Credit: PA Real Life But despite the agony, the student said it was 'worth it" - having grown from 5ft 7in to 5ft 11in. Irakli stopped growing at the age of 15, But with an arm span of 5ft 11.25in (181cm), he felt his arms were "too long for [his] body" and that he was out of proportion. As he got older and entered the dating scene, he said he wore insoles to make himself appear taller. The business PhD student claimed he was "too shy" to introduce himself to women who were taller than him, in fear of getting rejected. And being the shortest in his friendship group, he always felt "uncomfortable". "People don't understand how us short kings feel," he said In May 2024, Irakli came across videos on YouTube of people having limb-lengthening surgery. 'It was a real shock for me, because I was like, 'Wow, is it really true? Is it Photoshop or is it fake?," he recalled thinking. In August 2024, he said he visited the clinic Live Life Taller in Istanbul. I spent £86,000 on leg lengthening ops in Turkey to grow from 6ft to 6ft 7in - I know it's crazy but I have no regrets While there, he met the doctors and spoke with patients. Irakli felt at the time it was a "respectable place" and decided to go ahead with the surgery. He said he only told his sister and two of his friends about his plans And while his sisters were shocked, but supportive, his friends said they would not consider the surgery even if they were offered a million dollars. He scheduled his surgery for February 14, 2025 and 'wasn't nervous at all', having spent the months beforehand listening to positive podcasts. During the procedure itself, Irakli said he was put under general anaesthetic and the surgeon broke his femurs into two. 5 The surgery and rehabilitation cost approximately £36,190 Credit: PA Real Life 5 The pain the student experienced during recovery was 'intense' Credit: PA Real Life Metal frames, called external fixators, were then attached to his legs. These fixators sit outside the leg and are held in place by metal pins that pass through the skin and into the bone on both sides of the break. Using an Allen key, he gradually separated the broken bones by 1mm each day, allowing new bone to grow in the gap. When the pins go into the skin, they leave small open wounds, which are cleaned every day to stop them getting infected. Five days after the surgery, Irakli began using an Allen key to turn the screws on the fixators every day. This gently pulled the two ends of his broken bone apart by about 1mm each day, allowing new bone to grow in the space. 'Pain is inevitable' Six days after surgery, he was admitted to the clinic's rehabilitation centre, where he had physiotherapy three times a week for three months. 'I stretched as much as possible and I woke up five times per night, stretched in the bed and went back to sleep, and I went to the gym almost every day,' Irakli explained. 'I used a walker to get around. 'There was some intense pain but I prepared myself mentally so it was okay, and I had painkillers too. 'Pain is inevitable in this process but I looked at the pain as progress – fear is an obstacle to a progress. 'Therefore, I pushed myself not to give up and to go forward.' Irakli said he had to turn the fixators every day until May 10 and achieved a 3.7in (9cm) increase in his height. The fixators stayed in place until the new bone hardened, and were removed on May 12. Irakli said the surgery and rehabilitation have cost approximately £36,190 (42,000 euro), but it was 'worth it'. Limb-legthening surgery explained Limb lengthening surgery is a procedure that gradually makes an arm or leg bone longer. It can be used to treat differences in the length of arms or legs. It involves: Cutting the bone in two segments Attaching a limb lengthening device to the two segments of bone - either rods or a thin metal frame Your body will create new bone to fill the gap between the two segments. If you're lengthening a leg bone, you won't be able to walk for several weeks. You may use a wheelchair, crutches or other aids. If you're lengthening an arm, you won't be able to lift things for a few weeks. Source: Cleveland Clinic More respect from friends Since the start of July, he has been able to walk without a walker and crutches. He said: 'It felt amazing, I'm really satisfied with my height now and I achieved what I dreamed of. 'I think I don't get as nervous any more, I feel relaxed. 'I became stronger mentally and physically. 'I feel better about my proportions now, my arm span is still a little bit longer than my height but I feel really happy, especially with sneakers on.' When he came back from Turkey, he said his friends 'clapped' in celebration when they saw his height for the first time. He added: 'Everybody was shocked with my height and right now I'm taller or at the same height as my friends. 'I feel like I've got more respect from my friends now because once you go through a challenge, and once you win your battle, you are a strong person and I proved to them that I can do something that's really hard.' 'All want to be the best version of ourselves' Irakli would encourage others to do their own research, but to those considering the surgery. He said: 'You should turn this dream into the goal, set the steps on how to reach your goal and keep moving. 'Don't give up, you'll feel like a champion after when you are taller. 'But be patient, it takes time - think tomorrow will be better than yesterday, and you will be a better person than you were yesterday, and then it will be easier. 'In the end, we all want to be the best version of ourselves.' The NHS states that if you are thinking about having a cosmetic procedure, it is important to do your research. All cosmetic procedures have some risks, whether you are having a surgical procedure or a non-surgical procedure. Cosmetic surgery is not routinely provided on the NHS.
