Hi again, Natalie,
My son used to still feel as if his amputated foot was touching the floor. When he was lying in bed, he often thought that his leg was bent, with the foot and lower leg going through the mattress and pointing towards the floor. That seems to have stopped now and he says he just doesn't feel it any more.
Immediately after the operation, he had a catheter inserted into the femoral nerve, which gave him pain relief. Gradually he moved onto oral painkillers. He doesn't need them any more and he doesn't experience phantom pain. He still dreams that he has his real leg.
He was in hospital for about 2 weeks, then had to go to physio, where they bandaged and shaped his stump. They also gave him exercises to prevent contractures, which can occur.
Once his stump was fully healed, he went to the Limb Centre, where he was fitted with his first leg. That was a very basic prosthesis, aimed mostly at getting him used to balance and weight-bearing. It was held on with a belt around his waist.
Later, he got the prosthesis that was held on by suction, and that had the fancy knee and ankle joints. He's worn out two legs already and each new version has had more refinements. He goes back to the Limb Centre once a year, more often if his weight changes, or if he has any problems.
I won't kid you, he's doing OK now, but he did have some dark days and I know he used to cry in the shower (so did I).
Now, just because I've told you all that, don't you go choosing amputation until you have fully explored all your options!!
As Sonja says, do talk to Dr Maale.
Best wishes,
Caryl