A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

DIY Mid-Foot Amputation

A friend of mine (who is very experienced in this subject) recently did this DIY foot shortening — and this definitely has to be the limits of what’s possible in a DIY setting. I hope it heals well (it’s two weeks old in this photo)! More pictures are in BME/extreme‘s amputation galleries.

PS. It’s quite an old interview, but you may want to read this interview about voluntary amputation (free link) if you’d like to learn a little more about the “why” end of things, or if you’re a BME/Video member, this video interview about ampuation (as well as a demonstration) is very much worth checking out.

Comments

272 responses to “DIY Mid-Foot Amputation”

  1. kat Avatar
    kat

    WTF THAT’S DISGUSTING OMG

  2. kat Avatar
    kat

    WTF THAT’S DISGUSTING OMG

  3. Megan Avatar

    I love this, it looks great. I’d like to see healed pics ^^

  4. Megan Avatar

    I love this, it looks great. I’d like to see healed pics ^^

  5. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    once again I have to ask……..WHY????

  6. Paul Avatar
    Paul

    once again I have to ask……..WHY????

  7. Warren Avatar

    personally not my cup of tea, because I feel removal of body parts isn’t “enhancing” its “taking away”… but each to their own. I hope it heals well and they are happy with the final outcome.

  8. Warren Avatar

    personally not my cup of tea, because I feel removal of body parts isn’t “enhancing” its “taking away”… but each to their own. I hope it heals well and they are happy with the final outcome.

  9. maliceAlice Avatar
    maliceAlice

    Once again I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said. Not my preference blah blah blah. However, compared to some other amputation mods (I’m thinking mostly of the genitals here) I actually rather like this. Very clean, very sleek. Fascinating.
    I had no idea this stuff existed until I started coming here and the subject just enthralls me. Not doing to myself but the motives behind other peoples mods, of course. I found the easiest explanation to understand and convey to others (my mom) is that it’s not much different from transsexual/genderism.
    Some people would argue that reversing your penis is worse than losing some toes. Personally, I have no opinion. But I’m also pro-therapy so I wonder if he got counseling before deciding to do this. It’s highly recommended for gender reassignment surgery (if not mandatory?) so I wonder if voluntary amputation will be handled the same way by doctors if it ever becomes less taboo? Seems like a good idea.
    It does look a little red, I hope updates follow. That would be one bitchin’ infection.

  10. maliceAlice Avatar
    maliceAlice

    Once again I can’t say anything that hasn’t been said. Not my preference blah blah blah. However, compared to some other amputation mods (I’m thinking mostly of the genitals here) I actually rather like this. Very clean, very sleek. Fascinating.
    I had no idea this stuff existed until I started coming here and the subject just enthralls me. Not doing to myself but the motives behind other peoples mods, of course. I found the easiest explanation to understand and convey to others (my mom) is that it’s not much different from transsexual/genderism.
    Some people would argue that reversing your penis is worse than losing some toes. Personally, I have no opinion. But I’m also pro-therapy so I wonder if he got counseling before deciding to do this. It’s highly recommended for gender reassignment surgery (if not mandatory?) so I wonder if voluntary amputation will be handled the same way by doctors if it ever becomes less taboo? Seems like a good idea.
    It does look a little red, I hope updates follow. That would be one bitchin’ infection.

  11. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Pauly’s repetition of Shannon’s ‘Clay’ metaphor is flawed, but mostly because the original quote is incorrect.

    There are well documented psychological reasons behind the removal of limbs & digits etc that share similarities with self harming. They are often done to address feelings of lack of completion, itself a paradox. Others (Pauly etc) are often classed amongst those who have seen it done and wish to emulate the experience (copycat wannabe amputees).

    According to World Science “Another possible diagnosis would be body dysmorphic disorder, a condition whose patients are convinced they have a defect in appearance, Berger and colleagues wrote. Patients believe they have a misshapen, smelly, or otherwise defective body part. ”

    Either way it is widely different to the decorative element of tattooing/piercing etc where the desire is to compliment.

    I would guess that very few people on here are trying to create their perfect idea of themselves through tattooing and piercing to be honest.

  12. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Pauly’s repetition of Shannon’s ‘Clay’ metaphor is flawed, but mostly because the original quote is incorrect.

    There are well documented psychological reasons behind the removal of limbs & digits etc that share similarities with self harming. They are often done to address feelings of lack of completion, itself a paradox. Others (Pauly etc) are often classed amongst those who have seen it done and wish to emulate the experience (copycat wannabe amputees).

    According to World Science “Another possible diagnosis would be body dysmorphic disorder, a condition whose patients are convinced they have a defect in appearance, Berger and colleagues wrote. Patients believe they have a misshapen, smelly, or otherwise defective body part. ”

    Either way it is widely different to the decorative element of tattooing/piercing etc where the desire is to compliment.

    I would guess that very few people on here are trying to create their perfect idea of themselves through tattooing and piercing to be honest.

  13. digger Avatar
    digger

    Paul (#52) hits the nail on the head: why did this happen? NoHand (in the interview) doesn’t really answer this most basic question either, beyond uninformative comments like he wanted to do it, he likes it, he thinks it looks good etc. I appreciate that our bodily urges can be hard to articulate, but most people think hard about our psychological motivations, and this is likely to be all the more so for particularly abnormal behaveour (no value judgement on my part implied).
    So how about some basic questions: for how long did you want to do this? How did you feel about your feet and toes before? Was it the bit removed or the bit left that you were focussed upon? Has doing this achieved a resolution, or a temporary cessation of the urges that prompted it?
    Finally, I’d like to draw attention to the difference between proximate and ultimate reasons. Pauly, I don’t for one moment think you intend to cut off part of your finger just because it looks pretty. That might be the truth, but is it the whole truth? After all, there are many, much simpler ways of making your or your environment prettier. I’m sure you have other motivations, whether you understand them yourself or not. Of course, as a random stranger, I have no particular right to know them.

  14. digger Avatar
    digger

    Paul (#52) hits the nail on the head: why did this happen? NoHand (in the interview) doesn’t really answer this most basic question either, beyond uninformative comments like he wanted to do it, he likes it, he thinks it looks good etc. I appreciate that our bodily urges can be hard to articulate, but most people think hard about our psychological motivations, and this is likely to be all the more so for particularly abnormal behaveour (no value judgement on my part implied).
    So how about some basic questions: for how long did you want to do this? How did you feel about your feet and toes before? Was it the bit removed or the bit left that you were focussed upon? Has doing this achieved a resolution, or a temporary cessation of the urges that prompted it?
    Finally, I’d like to draw attention to the difference between proximate and ultimate reasons. Pauly, I don’t for one moment think you intend to cut off part of your finger just because it looks pretty. That might be the truth, but is it the whole truth? After all, there are many, much simpler ways of making your or your environment prettier. I’m sure you have other motivations, whether you understand them yourself or not. Of course, as a random stranger, I have no particular right to know them.

  15. Warren Avatar

    #55: “ut I’m also pro-therapy so I wonder if he got counseling before deciding to do this. It’s highly recommended for gender reassignment surgery (if not mandatory?)”

    Professionally(medically/surgicall) done or DIY, or a non professional doing this procedure…I think ANYONE considering amputation, needs to go through with “pretending” to be paralyzed, for at least a year….Much like how the gender re-assignment patients do.

    As the person wishing to take part in this amputation needs to understand, FULLY, what will happen afterwards…As well as learn to cope with the fact that they are now minor a limb, digit,etc. As well as to sort out those who might have the Body Dismorphic Disorder,etc.

    Not saying it can’t be done…But these are definatey life-altering changes of a serious degree..

  16. Warren Avatar

    #55: “ut I’m also pro-therapy so I wonder if he got counseling before deciding to do this. It’s highly recommended for gender reassignment surgery (if not mandatory?)”

    Professionally(medically/surgicall) done or DIY, or a non professional doing this procedure…I think ANYONE considering amputation, needs to go through with “pretending” to be paralyzed, for at least a year….Much like how the gender re-assignment patients do.

    As the person wishing to take part in this amputation needs to understand, FULLY, what will happen afterwards…As well as learn to cope with the fact that they are now minor a limb, digit,etc. As well as to sort out those who might have the Body Dismorphic Disorder,etc.

    Not saying it can’t be done…But these are definatey life-altering changes of a serious degree..

  17. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Digger makes a great point that reflects my own in that the motivations we believe we have for doing certain acts are in fact often either not understood or deliberately obscured.

    I have read a lot of Paully’s blog entries and it is clear that there are many factors at play rather than simply the desire to ‘look pretty’.

  18. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Digger makes a great point that reflects my own in that the motivations we believe we have for doing certain acts are in fact often either not understood or deliberately obscured.

    I have read a lot of Paully’s blog entries and it is clear that there are many factors at play rather than simply the desire to ‘look pretty’.

  19. Wormster-uk Avatar

    Each to their own really but its certainly not something I would think of doing.

  20. Wormster-uk Avatar

    Each to their own really but its certainly not something I would think of doing.

  21. starspring Avatar

    the first thing I thought was “Damn, it looks infected”. The second one was “I would never do that”. As much as I am all for people taking control of their bodies-as much as we can truly do that-I still have grave reservations against this level of amputation. But hey, its not me risking the septacemia, blood clots and massive staph/bacterial infections. As long as I neither have to help him in any way physically or financially and he is willing to take care of his stuff and leave me alone, so be it.

    I still think its looks infected-and I’ve seen plenty of amputated limbs post-surgery.

  22. starspring Avatar

    the first thing I thought was “Damn, it looks infected”. The second one was “I would never do that”. As much as I am all for people taking control of their bodies-as much as we can truly do that-I still have grave reservations against this level of amputation. But hey, its not me risking the septacemia, blood clots and massive staph/bacterial infections. As long as I neither have to help him in any way physically or financially and he is willing to take care of his stuff and leave me alone, so be it.

    I still think its looks infected-and I’ve seen plenty of amputated limbs post-surgery.

  23. Frances Avatar

    I agree with Wormster-uk. I think it’s too extreme and has, in my point of view, nothing to do with body adornment. But hey, whatever floats your boat !

  24. Frances Avatar

    I agree with Wormster-uk. I think it’s too extreme and has, in my point of view, nothing to do with body adornment. But hey, whatever floats your boat !

  25. Leroy Avatar

    Fuck, that’s awesome.

  26. Leroy Avatar

    Fuck, that’s awesome.

  27. rayne Avatar
    rayne

    WTF? self amputation that is something I’ll never understand… I wonder what was wrong with his toes that he wanted to do something like that… But what the hell… it’s his foot

  28. rayne Avatar
    rayne

    WTF? self amputation that is something I’ll never understand… I wonder what was wrong with his toes that he wanted to do something like that… But what the hell… it’s his foot

  29. Em Avatar
    Em

    Ouch.

    I was looking at my feet just yesterday and thinking how I’d prefer them without toes – but that feeling wasn’t as strong as this guy’s I guess, because I could never go through with that amount of pain.

    Apparently I said in my sleep last night “Without toes, my foot would look like a flipper. I’d be a fish.” Which is rather odd.

  30. Em Avatar
    Em

    Ouch.

    I was looking at my feet just yesterday and thinking how I’d prefer them without toes – but that feeling wasn’t as strong as this guy’s I guess, because I could never go through with that amount of pain.

    Apparently I said in my sleep last night “Without toes, my foot would look like a flipper. I’d be a fish.” Which is rather odd.

  31. XschlickX Avatar
    XschlickX

    no seriously. this is too much.
    did he have any problems with his foot?!
    really… intense…

  32. XschlickX Avatar
    XschlickX

    no seriously. this is too much.
    did he have any problems with his foot?!
    really… intense…

  33. Je Suis Avatar
    Je Suis

    #45 (TyTweeder)

    Your fucking spot on brother. Said what i didnt.

  34. Je Suis Avatar
    Je Suis

    #45 (TyTweeder)

    Your fucking spot on brother. Said what i didnt.

  35. Campbell Avatar
    Campbell

    I don’t understand how people can come on here with an attitude that is conducive to thinking “WTF, why would someone want to do that to themselves?” This site itself is an outlet for things most people would find disquieting. If you’re aware of that, and don’t want to see anything like this, then simply don’t visit!

    I find the concept of amputation very interesting. I think one day I’d like to get rid of the top joint in my right-hand ring finger. But I’m not crazy, and I was hugged enough as a child 🙂 IMO, amputation-seekers do things like this because they want to alter their bodies. To me, it’s no different from getting your tongue pierced.

    There doesn’t need to be anything ‘wrong’ with the body part, and people may not hate it. It’s just a personal preference whether you want to have a foot or not! 🙂

    – Campbell

  36. Campbell Avatar
    Campbell

    I don’t understand how people can come on here with an attitude that is conducive to thinking “WTF, why would someone want to do that to themselves?” This site itself is an outlet for things most people would find disquieting. If you’re aware of that, and don’t want to see anything like this, then simply don’t visit!

    I find the concept of amputation very interesting. I think one day I’d like to get rid of the top joint in my right-hand ring finger. But I’m not crazy, and I was hugged enough as a child 🙂 IMO, amputation-seekers do things like this because they want to alter their bodies. To me, it’s no different from getting your tongue pierced.

    There doesn’t need to be anything ‘wrong’ with the body part, and people may not hate it. It’s just a personal preference whether you want to have a foot or not! 🙂

    – Campbell

  37. securitron Avatar
    securitron

    You’re a fucking spa.

  38. securitron Avatar
    securitron

    You’re a fucking spa.

  39. wyrd Avatar
    wyrd

    amputate yourself (or make something mod on yourself) is a very hard thing, and you have to be very focused and decided, and strong as well. who is able to make it has very strong mental health…

  40. wyrd Avatar
    wyrd

    amputate yourself (or make something mod on yourself) is a very hard thing, and you have to be very focused and decided, and strong as well. who is able to make it has very strong mental health…

  41. sheldo Avatar

    Wow, this site never fails to amaze me! And my parents think my industrial is extreme…

    I don’t think I could ever do anything like this though… I’d be too scared incase I decided I wanted missing body parts back! (and I presume you can’t freeze them and stitch them back on!)

    But I would love to know how he done it, I mean, can you imagine cutting off your toes??? That must be pretty intense. Wow and wow again.

  42. sheldo Avatar

    Wow, this site never fails to amaze me! And my parents think my industrial is extreme…

    I don’t think I could ever do anything like this though… I’d be too scared incase I decided I wanted missing body parts back! (and I presume you can’t freeze them and stitch them back on!)

    But I would love to know how he done it, I mean, can you imagine cutting off your toes??? That must be pretty intense. Wow and wow again.

  43. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Wyrd – “who is able to make it has very strong mental health…”.

    Don’t confuse rigid determination with strong peace of mind.

  44. Giles Wallwork Avatar

    Wyrd – “who is able to make it has very strong mental health…”.

    Don’t confuse rigid determination with strong peace of mind.

  45. snap Avatar
    snap

    reading his interview I switched back and forth between morbid facination, feeling like maybe I understood, and feeling like he was just justifying his serious emotional problems away. Correct me if I’m wrong but he does lose this foot doesn’t he? Is that not what it says in the interview?

  46. snap Avatar
    snap

    reading his interview I switched back and forth between morbid facination, feeling like maybe I understood, and feeling like he was just justifying his serious emotional problems away. Correct me if I’m wrong but he does lose this foot doesn’t he? Is that not what it says in the interview?

  47. Sade Avatar
    Sade

    I totally understand the why, but I still cringe because I love fingers and toes…a lot,actually hehe

  48. Sade Avatar
    Sade

    I totally understand the why, but I still cringe because I love fingers and toes…a lot,actually hehe

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