This set of interviews is sort of in a grey-space of body modification where it’s not entirely clear whether it’s medical necessity or whether it’s voluntary body modification… On one hand the amputation solves a very real medical issue, but on the other hand, much of the medical community disagrees that this is the right solution. Three stories are included — a foot fetishist who had a deformed toe removed, a body modification enthusiast who had his leg amputated after five years of pain following a car accident, and a BME member who had an immobile finger amputated. All of these were by doctors, without subterfuge.
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96 responses to ““Semi-Voluntary” Amputation Interviews”
These cases I understand. But I dont think il ever see what kicks people get out of voluntary amputations.
These cases I understand. But I dont think il ever see what kicks people get out of voluntary amputations.
These cases I understand. But I dont think il ever see what kicks people get out of voluntary amputations.
After beign around a few family members having no leg mobility and/or chronic pain, this is seeming like a more and more viable option to those who cannot heal fully. I hope the medical profession will open up more to amputating useless/painful extremities.
After beign around a few family members having no leg mobility and/or chronic pain, this is seeming like a more and more viable option to those who cannot heal fully. I hope the medical profession will open up more to amputating useless/painful extremities.
After beign around a few family members having no leg mobility and/or chronic pain, this is seeming like a more and more viable option to those who cannot heal fully. I hope the medical profession will open up more to amputating useless/painful extremities.
not necessarily unrelated, but there was a House episode with a flash back of Dr. House’s infarction in his leg. his wife was debating having it amputated to prevent him from experiencing pain. i don’t see why on earth a doctor wouldn’t remove a useless limb that was causing significant discomfort. at the same time, i understand that a phantom limb can be quite unpleasant – but it should definitely be the decision of the patient. in regards to a deformity, i’m a little torn. what one person views as deformed, may just be normal. there are so many serious side effects and complications that i can understand why a doctor would refuse most voluntary amputations. as a treatment for pain, though, i don’t see any reasons why they wouldn’t.
not necessarily unrelated, but there was a House episode with a flash back of Dr. House’s infarction in his leg. his wife was debating having it amputated to prevent him from experiencing pain. i don’t see why on earth a doctor wouldn’t remove a useless limb that was causing significant discomfort. at the same time, i understand that a phantom limb can be quite unpleasant – but it should definitely be the decision of the patient. in regards to a deformity, i’m a little torn. what one person views as deformed, may just be normal. there are so many serious side effects and complications that i can understand why a doctor would refuse most voluntary amputations. as a treatment for pain, though, i don’t see any reasons why they wouldn’t.
not necessarily unrelated, but there was a House episode with a flash back of Dr. House’s infarction in his leg. his wife was debating having it amputated to prevent him from experiencing pain. i don’t see why on earth a doctor wouldn’t remove a useless limb that was causing significant discomfort. at the same time, i understand that a phantom limb can be quite unpleasant – but it should definitely be the decision of the patient. in regards to a deformity, i’m a little torn. what one person views as deformed, may just be normal. there are so many serious side effects and complications that i can understand why a doctor would refuse most voluntary amputations. as a treatment for pain, though, i don’t see any reasons why they wouldn’t.
that didn’t come out right so i’m sorry for the double post. i mean that i don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to – make the patient sign something or whatever so you don’t sue. i get that they don’t want to.
just thought i’d clear that up 🙂
that didn’t come out right so i’m sorry for the double post. i mean that i don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to – make the patient sign something or whatever so you don’t sue. i get that they don’t want to.
just thought i’d clear that up 🙂
that didn’t come out right so i’m sorry for the double post. i mean that i don’t understand why they wouldn’t want to – make the patient sign something or whatever so you don’t sue. i get that they don’t want to.
just thought i’d clear that up 🙂
I think this is one of my favorite interviews: the focus on the quality of life carries over to the people who voluntarily get amps w/o a medical needs. Esp for the leg amp because it was not just the pain we was trying to get away from, it was body image and even after the amp the pain remained but he feels that his quality of life has improved
I think this is one of my favorite interviews: the focus on the quality of life carries over to the people who voluntarily get amps w/o a medical needs. Esp for the leg amp because it was not just the pain we was trying to get away from, it was body image and even after the amp the pain remained but he feels that his quality of life has improved
I think this is one of my favorite interviews: the focus on the quality of life carries over to the people who voluntarily get amps w/o a medical needs. Esp for the leg amp because it was not just the pain we was trying to get away from, it was body image and even after the amp the pain remained but he feels that his quality of life has improved
really interesting. I’m in favor whether it is voluntary (to relieve mental pressure or obsessions/interest) or involuntary (for pain or mobility issues)…it’s always fascinating to hear what people who have gone through this have to say.
really interesting. I’m in favor whether it is voluntary (to relieve mental pressure or obsessions/interest) or involuntary (for pain or mobility issues)…it’s always fascinating to hear what people who have gone through this have to say.
really interesting. I’m in favor whether it is voluntary (to relieve mental pressure or obsessions/interest) or involuntary (for pain or mobility issues)…it’s always fascinating to hear what people who have gone through this have to say.
I remember having seen something like that on French TV once. A guy had a bad car accident in which he had one arm torn off. The surgeons reattached it but it as so painful and useless to him that he just decided to have it amputated, and he lead a fine life after it.
Interesting interviews by the way, as usual !
I remember having seen something like that on French TV once. A guy had a bad car accident in which he had one arm torn off. The surgeons reattached it but it as so painful and useless to him that he just decided to have it amputated, and he lead a fine life after it.
Interesting interviews by the way, as usual !
I remember having seen something like that on French TV once. A guy had a bad car accident in which he had one arm torn off. The surgeons reattached it but it as so painful and useless to him that he just decided to have it amputated, and he lead a fine life after it.
Interesting interviews by the way, as usual !
This makes much more sense to me. This is about making their lives better. These people aren’t intentionally disabling themselves. The pain of their previous injuries or conditions had already caused them to be slightly disabled. I believe these people are probably able to function better as amputees then as whole people.
I also think that that is very different from the case of some voluntary amputees. As open-minded as I am about personal identity and choice, I will never be able to be OK with people that disable themselves in an attempt “to feel whole”.
This makes much more sense to me. This is about making their lives better. These people aren’t intentionally disabling themselves. The pain of their previous injuries or conditions had already caused them to be slightly disabled. I believe these people are probably able to function better as amputees then as whole people.
I also think that that is very different from the case of some voluntary amputees. As open-minded as I am about personal identity and choice, I will never be able to be OK with people that disable themselves in an attempt “to feel whole”.
This makes much more sense to me. This is about making their lives better. These people aren’t intentionally disabling themselves. The pain of their previous injuries or conditions had already caused them to be slightly disabled. I believe these people are probably able to function better as amputees then as whole people.
I also think that that is very different from the case of some voluntary amputees. As open-minded as I am about personal identity and choice, I will never be able to be OK with people that disable themselves in an attempt “to feel whole”.
Not having Zentastic to read any more, I had forgotten about your leg, Shannon. How is it going? Hope it is starting to get a little better :/
Good set of interviews; refreshing to have something outside of the ‘woo! yeah!’ format.
🙂
*n
Not having Zentastic to read any more, I had forgotten about your leg, Shannon. How is it going? Hope it is starting to get a little better :/
Good set of interviews; refreshing to have something outside of the ‘woo! yeah!’ format.
🙂
*n
Not having Zentastic to read any more, I had forgotten about your leg, Shannon. How is it going? Hope it is starting to get a little better :/
Good set of interviews; refreshing to have something outside of the ‘woo! yeah!’ format.
🙂
*n
Excellent interviews. I like that they all say they’d only do it sooner if they did it different. Very telling on the doctors that won’t do it or make you wait.
Excellent interviews. I like that they all say they’d only do it sooner if they did it different. Very telling on the doctors that won’t do it or make you wait.
Excellent interviews. I like that they all say they’d only do it sooner if they did it different. Very telling on the doctors that won’t do it or make you wait.
I have an overlapping toe, and when I was a kid, the doctors asked if it caused me pain, and if it did, that they “would fix it”. I assume this meant amputation. It’s interesting to see others who actually had something done about it, but I rather like my toe, it gives my foot character.
I have an overlapping toe, and when I was a kid, the doctors asked if it caused me pain, and if it did, that they “would fix it”. I assume this meant amputation. It’s interesting to see others who actually had something done about it, but I rather like my toe, it gives my foot character.
I have an overlapping toe, and when I was a kid, the doctors asked if it caused me pain, and if it did, that they “would fix it”. I assume this meant amputation. It’s interesting to see others who actually had something done about it, but I rather like my toe, it gives my foot character.
I wouldn/t call all these cases volunteer at all. The libs were distroyed, far beyond simply uselessness. They were painful, and in case of the leg even destructive for the rest of the body, forcing the man into wheelchair. Both other limbs at least were massively disturbing all day live. These amputations were medical necessities, and I wonder why not the MDs per se already said “Sorry we can’t correct that, lets think about amputation” (what as much as I know would be asked in Austria)
I wouldn/t call all these cases volunteer at all. The libs were distroyed, far beyond simply uselessness. They were painful, and in case of the leg even destructive for the rest of the body, forcing the man into wheelchair. Both other limbs at least were massively disturbing all day live. These amputations were medical necessities, and I wonder why not the MDs per se already said “Sorry we can’t correct that, lets think about amputation” (what as much as I know would be asked in Austria)
I wouldn/t call all these cases volunteer at all. The libs were distroyed, far beyond simply uselessness. They were painful, and in case of the leg even destructive for the rest of the body, forcing the man into wheelchair. Both other limbs at least were massively disturbing all day live. These amputations were medical necessities, and I wonder why not the MDs per se already said “Sorry we can’t correct that, lets think about amputation” (what as much as I know would be asked in Austria)
If anyone’s interested in learning more about phantom limb pain, a couple of great books are Phantoms in the Brain by Ramachandran and A Leg to Stand On by Oliver Sacks.
If anyone’s interested in learning more about phantom limb pain, a couple of great books are Phantoms in the Brain by Ramachandran and A Leg to Stand On by Oliver Sacks.
If anyone’s interested in learning more about phantom limb pain, a couple of great books are Phantoms in the Brain by Ramachandran and A Leg to Stand On by Oliver Sacks.
though i never had my leg amputated i’ve had had extensive trauma to it. parts of my bones grafted, both tib and fib fused together, ankle fused, toes straightened etc. i remember that deep seated itch in the bone. one of those feeling you can never forget.
25 years later though very rare now i still on ocassion feel that burn and itch.
though i never had my leg amputated i’ve had had extensive trauma to it. parts of my bones grafted, both tib and fib fused together, ankle fused, toes straightened etc. i remember that deep seated itch in the bone. one of those feeling you can never forget.
25 years later though very rare now i still on ocassion feel that burn and itch.
though i never had my leg amputated i’ve had had extensive trauma to it. parts of my bones grafted, both tib and fib fused together, ankle fused, toes straightened etc. i remember that deep seated itch in the bone. one of those feeling you can never forget.
25 years later though very rare now i still on ocassion feel that burn and itch.
Badur, I’d be interested in knowing (if it isn’t too personal) how you feel about having lived with the pain for years vs. still having a limb with occasional pain/discomfort. I was just wondering if, given the chance to do it differently, you would have chosen to get rid of it – risking phantom limb pain- or if having your leg now outweighs all that?
Thanks for the books, Amy. I think I’ll try to find them at our campus library.
Shannon, my roommate and I were talking about your interviews. do you think you could maybe find someone willing to talk about a mod they’ve had done (whether amputation or whatever) that’s negatively impacted them. Whether they are still do it or not, it’d be interesting to get both sides of the story especially with this topic since so many people seem torn.
*just a quick note, I was only able to read the first half of the article as my school is having internet connectivity issues always 🙂 if the article covers all that, then just disregard me – I’ll track it down again someother time!
Badur, I’d be interested in knowing (if it isn’t too personal) how you feel about having lived with the pain for years vs. still having a limb with occasional pain/discomfort. I was just wondering if, given the chance to do it differently, you would have chosen to get rid of it – risking phantom limb pain- or if having your leg now outweighs all that?
Thanks for the books, Amy. I think I’ll try to find them at our campus library.
Shannon, my roommate and I were talking about your interviews. do you think you could maybe find someone willing to talk about a mod they’ve had done (whether amputation or whatever) that’s negatively impacted them. Whether they are still do it or not, it’d be interesting to get both sides of the story especially with this topic since so many people seem torn.
*just a quick note, I was only able to read the first half of the article as my school is having internet connectivity issues always 🙂 if the article covers all that, then just disregard me – I’ll track it down again someother time!
Badur, I’d be interested in knowing (if it isn’t too personal) how you feel about having lived with the pain for years vs. still having a limb with occasional pain/discomfort. I was just wondering if, given the chance to do it differently, you would have chosen to get rid of it – risking phantom limb pain- or if having your leg now outweighs all that?
Thanks for the books, Amy. I think I’ll try to find them at our campus library.
Shannon, my roommate and I were talking about your interviews. do you think you could maybe find someone willing to talk about a mod they’ve had done (whether amputation or whatever) that’s negatively impacted them. Whether they are still do it or not, it’d be interesting to get both sides of the story especially with this topic since so many people seem torn.
*just a quick note, I was only able to read the first half of the article as my school is having internet connectivity issues always 🙂 if the article covers all that, then just disregard me – I’ll track it down again someother time!
I think its really awesome how Minus One was able to scam the system to get a free mod!
I think its really awesome how Minus One was able to scam the system to get a free mod!
I think its really awesome how Minus One was able to scam the system to get a free mod!
Amy – You brought up a fascinating work by Ramachandran. I don’t know if many people are familiar with the TED Conference, but you can watch the lectures online. Dr. Ramachandran gave an amazing talk at TED where he talked about phantom limb pain and its interaction with the brain.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/184
Thats the link to the talk. Its really amazing and well worth the watch if anyone is interested in either neuroscience or phantom limb pain.
Amy – You brought up a fascinating work by Ramachandran. I don’t know if many people are familiar with the TED Conference, but you can watch the lectures online. Dr. Ramachandran gave an amazing talk at TED where he talked about phantom limb pain and its interaction with the brain.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/184
Thats the link to the talk. Its really amazing and well worth the watch if anyone is interested in either neuroscience or phantom limb pain.