I'm an amputee AMA

[Dhalandchips]

That's about it really

[Ummmmgogo]

is it true that you still get itches and pins and needles in your missing limb? is bmi inaccurate for you now?

[DontDrinkDontSmoke]

Do you have a prosthetic and if so, are you happy with it?

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

How do you feel when people stare? Do you react or ignore?

[KindergartenKop]

Which limb are you missing? Why was it amputated? How has it changed your life?

[Dhalandchips]

Ummmm, yes I do get itches and pins and needles but no horrible phantom pains thankfully. My fourth toe feels like my shoe doesn't fit properly

[Dhalandchips]

Don't drink...yes, it's mostly ok. I get blisters sometimes and I like to have 'leg off' days

[Dhalandchips]

Jesus, I don't notice people staring, I'm a very confident, outgoing person anyway so don't have a problem. I do engage with kids though, it's their parents that get embarrassed! I will always answer kids' questions.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

How did you lose your limb. Was it through an accident or illness.
How long where you in hospital for.
Do you get phantom leg pain.
Have the NHS and social services looked after you well.

[Dhalandchips]

Kindergarten, I am a LBKA which stands for left below knee amputee. As far as amputees go, it's only a scratch! It was chopped off as a result of a road traffic accident in the 90's. Lots of surgical intervention meant lots of pain so I finally had it amputated about 5 years ago. I'm very glad that I did.

[RabidHarpy]

I was nearly an amputee 15 years ago but due to excellent surgery and after care my left leg (was going to be amputated above knee) was saved. I have some very large scars which can freak people out .

How did you deal with the emotional side of accepting your limb was gone and adjusting your life to it?

[CrAzYmUmOf2]

How did you lose your limb? And how long did it take to feel comfortable with yourself? It must be hard 😟

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Did you ask for amputation then or was it suggested to you.

[lardass88]

My son who is 20 is a double below knee amputee- had both legs amputated just after his 1st birthday. Do you have any tips to get rid of the rashes?

[Igottastartthinkingbee]

Wow that’s a long time between accident and actually having it amputated. Was it an ‘easy’ decision to amputate in the end?

[TheBigFatMermaid]

How did you feel when amputation was first mentioned? Do you feel differently now?

[LornaMumsnet]

We're just moving this over to our AMA topic.

[Dhalandchips]

I was begging in the end to have it amputated! The surgeon didn't want to admit defeat!
Because of that, I was very much in the right headspace and ready to have it taken away.
I was in hospital for four days, had the operation done with a spinal block as opposed to general anaesthetic as I'd read it reduces the possibility of phantom pains.
It was a very easy decision to make and I was very much ok with myself afterwards.
I didn't really need much intervention as I am very independent, although I was a little scared for the first few weeks immediately following the op until I got my new leg. I didn't like the idea of falling over.

[Dhalandchips]

Lardass (love the name!) I have no magic cure for rashes, but being brutally honest, I'm a bit manky and don't do a lot of the stuff recommended, like washing the stump every day etc, it might get a quick once over with a baby wipe if it's particularly stinky but that's about it! But then, I only bathe the kids once a week if they're lucky!

[Dhalandchips]

I don't tend to get rashes.
And I missed a question about BMI, I was very disappointed to learn that I'd only lost about half a stone post op! I'm a big lass anyway, muscly and strong, so I'm not entirely convinced that BMI is accurate for me. I'm classed as obese, but I'm just a bit podgy.

[Ummmmgogo]

half a stone???? I estimated it would weigh about a stone and a half at least! but yeah bmi isn't accurate when you are v muscly or v small framed imo.

[Dhalandchips]

Yeah I know it's a drastic way to lose weight but I was very disappointed 🤣🤣

[ChickenOrEgg6]

My question has already been answered but you seem so positive and I really admire that good luck in your future

[Dhalandchips]

Eighty , I think you're talking about osseointigration ,, I believere only for above knee amputees, they bolt directly into the femur. Bit cringemaking but if it works then great!

Thanks chicken, I'm mostly positive and cheerful

[UndergroundSun]

Do you wear a prosthesis?