Hi Chris, Great, relevant, video thanks. We have a few things in common: - My leg was also damaged in an accident...motorbike, not a paraglider. - I also went through multiple surgeries...31 in 3 years after the accident excluding the amputation and a final skin graft being # 33. - My amputation was also elective...I was just done with the constant pain and deformed foot and ankle! In hindsight, I should have had the amputation sooner, but I don't regret that I didn't as those 3 years taught me so much about myself...I learnt about not taking for granted; I learnt about dealing with prolonged, intense pain without winging; I learnt how much my family meant to me, and how much they were prepared to do for me in so many ways, I learnt that I had been a selfish jerk for at least 4 years leading up to accident; I learnt that I wasn't actually bulletproof, and I learnt that I was much stronger than I would ever have believed. My amputation has made me acutely aware of fellow amputees and has given me the opportunity to help them through the Amputee Support Group. I'm one of the lucky ones...I have no regrets, but still often miss my leg!

Thanks for putting this up, Chris. Much of it resonates with me. Although I am a new amputee, I have single mindedly been "saving" my leg for nearly 40 years, and met with many orthotists along the way. Regarding blame - so much of this is a journey of discovery that each of us has to take. In the perfect world, your orthotist will introduce you to your perfect solution and you will live happily ever after.....until your body changes and you need something else. In the real world, you are unlikely to find that orthotist at first try. Don't get me wrong, every single orthotist I have ever met is a very special person, but they don't necessarily "get" my needs. It's not a blame game, it's a journey of discovery to find that one incredible individual who has not only capability and compassion, but fully understands your specific needs. That is when you get YOUR total solution. So glad that you have found yours.

Be your own patient advocate, early and often, through your prosthetic journey! Yes, agree, communication is key. Speaking of communication, one thing that has helped me - If you see another amputee and have a question. Stop them and ask. Anyone I've stopped has always been willing to share their story or advice!

Lost my leg in 1997 after a gliding accident. Tibial non-union, fused ankle - terrible prognosis for the leg. They offered me limb salvage with an Ilzarov frame but I opted for amputation after three months - hearing your and others' stories of living with infection, glad I did. Thanks for sharing.

New one. 4 days with my prosthetic. BKA- Feeling pain yet happy to stand. Walking with the walker and it feels new different / appreciate your honesty and helpful insights.

Great video chris covering many important points for all of us . Keep your videos going mate they are so worth while.

my wife is high aka. i had a beloved dog with spinal cord trauma and unable to use hind legs. chris’ comments about weight are true. stay lean. every ounce of weight makes moving harder. thank you chris- your commitment to helping others is so appreciated!

I really appreciate your honesty. My 52 year old husband just had in April 2021, a partial amputation of his right leg and he is struggling to find himself with this new...everything. Very informative, to help me understand what he is going through a but. Thank you.

Darn Manly of You. 'Very' much appreciated. Thank You

Great video Chris! I can relate to all your points ! Thanks for sharing !

All great advice based on actual experience. Thank you for sharing your experiences!

Hi Chris, thanks for the videos. This one especially hit home. I can relate to all your mistakes!! Your Channel is a must for all amps.

Nice to see you again Chris.

I have had ankle issues my entire life. I had a surgeon recomed fusing my ankle in an attempt to make a better ankle. So I started what I didn't know at the time would be a significaant journey. Over two years of being non-weight bearing, I had four surguries to repair the ankle, three surguries trying to save my foot, and then finally a BKA. When I came down with my second serious infection, the 6th surgeon and I made the choice to amputate. Honestly I felt a huge weight lifted off of me. I finally could see a light at the end of the tunnel. This wasn't the ending I hoped for but I am going to make the most of it!

Thank you Chris As a new amputee good contrive advice always helps.

Hi Chris Thank you again for a great informative video, super good advice! I am happy to hear you got your weight where it should be now, I also felt the difference and some much more mobile. Keep working hard physically and mentally and stay fit! Otto

Well said Chris!

Hi Chris!! Great video as always and I always really enjoy your videos. I find that information you share incredibly relevant to some of the things that I have been through. Hopoe all is well with you and I'm looking forward to your next post! Kevin

I love your videos, my amputation was elective (see One Footed Phoenix). I was hit by a car in 2018. I developed CRPS, then decided to amputate a couple months ago.

Thank you so much for sharing. Really got a lot out of it as a new (6-week) AKA

11/07/2017 my husband and I were in a bad accident that severely damaged my right leg. After 2.5 years and too many surgeries to count, I finally concluded that my leg would never work again. July 1, 2020 I had an above knee amputation and started the journey of an amputee. Pain free felt GREAT. It has been a frustrating process getting the right prosthetic setup because as wonderful as my relationship with my prosthetist is, he works on such a variety of patients that he doesn’t have expertise on any one particular circumstance. Countless hours of online research on my part led me to demand and receive a socket I felt would work better than the preparatory socket he initially gave me. He also allowed me to “try out” several different MPK’s to find the one I liked best. Anyway, here I am at less than 2 years post surgery walking pain free and cane free on my new leg. Your videos have been inspiration and knowledge used during this process so thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Wonderful video Chris!! Thank you for sharing. My significant other is a recent amputee of 1 yr - traumatic freak accident - after a swim in the ocean and was behind his car, and a drunk driver hit couple cars, thus pinning him. He is now wearing a C 4 Ottobock - swims in masters and cycles. I really like your reflective thoughts and humbleness. We just take it day by day. He did have a skin sore which took couple months of healing and being in a really dark space. He’s introspective and doesn’t want to seek any support groups. I learned not to push too much, as I seek and research varied information re: amputee life and prosthetics etc. Thanks again for sharing, we enjoy your site in You Tube. Very helpful info, appreciate your honesty and openness. You’re helping amputees and their families/ friends. Best of luck Chris! Blessings to you.

thank you this helped

hi chris . its good to see you like this. in southafrika it was nice to hear your lectures

All relevant things to think about for all I would say x

I have the same shirt. I am considering amputation due to many surgeries and a medical error which has left my leg non fuctionial and stiff and incredibly painful. I need my quality of life back .

I really do need to take more time with my prosthetic off and let my leg breathe. My phantom pains fire up when I don't have my liner off though.

Thanks for all the info.. I lost mine due to Raynaud’s. Took a year to get a prosthetic because I was slow to heal. My stump was hideous as well. Yucko! Im switching from suction to pin lock. hopefully it will work better for me.

I love your videos way to go your straight up as I am I new I wanted to go back as a HD Mechanic welder Re I don’t read and write well I use software to help me with that part of life I also go walking with new folks to missing a leg or legs if I can help them I feel great I was able to make there life a little bit easier NormThompson

Thank you

Also, how has the torsion helped you? I’m keen to look into it. I have the iceross liner, triton foot and X3 knee. I’m keen to see how the torsion works.

I didn't wait. I was bed bound and druged after a fall in Sept 2022 and couldn't move my left leg at all, my vascular surgen told me flat out " You are going to have a misrable existance if we don't do anything or we can amputate. But you have to do it of you're own free will" I didn't want to live in a nursing home the rest of my life. So to make a long story short, I now have my prostic leg take P.T. 3 x a week, drive my car, go to the store. I'm not saying that it was easy but for me I think I made the right choice.

The issue I wasn’t expecting was how long I’d have overall fatigue after amputation. After nine months, I feel I’m just getting back to normal. You’re so right about the socket! My prosthetist is excellent. He nailed the first check socket so well, I only needed that one. After 8 months, I’m just moving to my second permanent socket next week. And the weight too! I gained lots of weight after lock down and it has made my fatigue worse. But lost it all this year and feel great. Listen to Chris, folks!

Thank you, l just had my right leg amputation. l.elec t ed too have now not later ,infection from.badly broken ankle. embracing best l can 64 healthy woman...

Good points mentioned. I've held back on getting a prosthesis for almost a two years now, because im glad i was able to realise a lot of these points during this time. I have gotten somewhat glad that i did not rush into a leg because now i feel like i know myself and my limitations more than i did back then. At the time, with the information i was given by my prosthetist - i had no idea if the ones he offered to assemble were good or bad? I had no idea what else was on the market or the general pricing for prosthesis. I was just getting used to the term socket, foot, knee and etc because i had no idea that everything was assembled at that level. Now i've set to get myself a leg in 2021, my question is: - Is it a bother to go see different prosthetist and get quotes and recomendation of different legs? - Will each charge for a quote and consulation? - Is it bad to use crutches for months/years? Like bad for your hip? - Recommendations? Thank you

New AK amputee here, do you ever feel nauseas? Particularly towards the beginning of the transition? Maybe it’s the Lyrica PreGamblin

Hey Mr cris my amputee life is QUITE the opposite. Wish I'd chosen death instead. FOUR years later still can't walk on this crappie prosthetic.

Thanks for the information Chris. I had a scaffolding accident this summer and months later the decision has been made to amputate my right leg just below the knee. I'm mentally prepared and looking forward to getting back on track. My amputation is scheduled for 2 weeks from now so, one more hurdle in my recovery.