New Amputee Guide: Real Advice from People Living with Limb Loss
When I asked our community, “What’s one piece of advice you would give a new amputee?” hundreds of comments poured in. The wisdom that came out of that post stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just encouragement—it was lived experience, the kind that only comes from people who’ve been there.
Out of the 430+ comments these were the most common themes:
1. Be patient with yourself
Patience came up more than anything else. Healing, learning to walk again, and trusting a new prosthesis all take time. One person said, “Nothing is going to happen as fast as you think it should,” and that line captures it perfectly. Progress isn’t linear. Some days it feels like you’re flying; others, like you’re back at square one. Both are part of it.
2. Never give up
“Get back up every time you fall.” “Stay strong.” “You’ve got this.” Those weren’t clichés—they were reminders that resilience becomes second nature when you live with limb loss. Even on hard days, keep showing up for yourself.
3. Don’t compare your journey
One of the most powerful comments said, “We’re all on the same journey but take different paths.” Every body heals differently. Comparing yourself to someone else’s timeline will only steal your peace. Go at your own pace and celebrate every bit of progress.
4. Care for your mind as much as your body
Amputation doesn’t just change how you move—it changes how you think, feel, and see yourself. Someone shared, “Don’t overlook your mental health. Seeing a psychiatrist after my amputation helped tremendously.” Whether that means therapy, journaling, or connecting with other amputees, mental health is part of recovery too.
5. Find your people
Support makes the world of difference. Surround yourself with others who understand—prosthetists who listen, doctors who respect your input, and peers who can laugh with you when things get awkward. As one commenter put it, “Work as a team with your prosthetist, doctor, and yourself.”
6. Laugh and live fully
Amputees have a special sense of humor because sometimes laughter is what keeps you going. One person wrote, “You gotta have a sense of humour. Find a reason to smile every day.” Another joked, “Don’t forget to plug in your knee.” Real talk—and real smiles.
7. Keep moving forward
The thread ended with encouragement that still rings in my ears:
“Before we could do 10,000 things. Now we can only do 8,000. But we can still do 8,000.”
This post reminded me how much wisdom lives in this community. If you’re a new amputee reading this: take it one day at a time, give yourself grace, and know you’re not alone.
We’ve all been there — frustrated, determined, hopeful, exhausted, and proud — sometimes all in the same day. And somehow, through all of it, we keep moving forward.
