I am 3idvet. I had my arm amputated by a lathe at work. And then my arm was re attached.

Was the lathe okay?

As far as i know it had a few scratches. I do know he is trying to sue me and the company for emotional pain. My lawyer says ill be fine his name is Saul.

Why didn't you get a hook instead of reattaching your hand? Or you could have been just like Inspector Gadget. Go Go Gadget!

I told them to reattach it

Was there a deliberation process or just a "Jesusfuckmothermaryofchrist - put that thing back this instant!"?

no from what i was told i was addamant about it. This is while being hit with 2 shots of fetanyl and 2 shots of dilaudid in under 30 mins

As a pharmacy tech and former drug addict, if you're still up after 1 shot of each, let alone two, you're a god amongst men. that shit is intense!

I was so pumped on adrenaline and in shock but i still felt the first 2 shots and i told them i was fine i do think that the fetanyl was 2 micrograms is that alot

So were they not going to reattach it if you weren't adamant about it?

Im not sure we never had that discussion

How long did you wait after losing the arm to try masturbating?

Still waiting, i cant grip so but lucy is doing just fine.

What was the pain like?

Imagine thousands of steel pieces with sharp edges heated to melting point. Then shove them all under your skin at once.

How long will it be until your recovery is complete? (Back to normal)

right now we are looking at 3-5 years

Holy crap that's bananas! Does everything still work? Like, did you lose any sensation or mobility in your fingers?

As of right now i have no feeling iin my hand and half my fore arm. Istart the procedures to re map my nerves on tuesdays becuse they are not connected.

Hi 3idvet, what was your First reaction when the lathe grabbed your arm and how fast where you in the hospital for surgery?

Oh shit im stuck. Then i blacked out. once everything was free i went into immediate shock. From the time I got loaded up in the ambulance to going to sleep was just under an hour.

Was your first thought "this will get me to the front page of reddit on r/IAMA"? Or were you selfishly thinking only of yourself and not of us?

Not at all i figured this is one of those things that would strike the morbid curiosty of people.

Do you plan on using it for masturbation purposes?

Hell yeah its like a whole new girl.

What do you do for fun now? I recall reading you loved gaming. Have you found a way to play comfortably?

not yet im rocking turn based games right now. but im trying differnt methods right now

That is truly incredible.

Are you going back to your old job? Will you ever work the lathe again?

Yes and Yes, i love my job and have a passion for what i do

Follow-up question. What exactly do you do?

maintain and install machines for the packaging industry

How did your arm get sucked in? Did it catch your clothing or something?

My glove got caught on a bur

I've always heard you shouldn't wear gloves when using a lathe. Does your work require it or was wearing them your choice.

it was a requirement

Were you in the 3rd Infantry Division?

Yes i was from 01-07 with bravo 3-15

Is there anything your arm can or can't do now that it's been detached and reattached?

Basically everything under the elbow has no function right.

Why did you choose re-attachment as opposed to a bionic hand with control over it?

At the time i didnt realize how bad it was plus i didnt want to look back and think"damn what if"

from these pics, it seems like your arm shortened considerably, is that so (if so, how much?) or is it just some photgraph illusion?

also, if it is actually shorter, are there plans/possibilities to lengthen it? i've heard about people getting their legs broken by professionals to get them to grow longer, thats why im wondering if the same is possible for arms

yes im missin 2.5 inches on my arm. There is no way to lengthen it if anything if my nerves are in bad shape there talking bout shortening it more

Was this a machine malfunction or operator negligence?

machine malfunction

What does it feel like when you don't have a part of you attached for a while?

it felt like it was still there when i was in shock

How was the bleeding controlled at the factory? That obviously tore the artery, and I've always heard that open arterial bleeds are very life threatening. Was it just as simple as a cloth and pressure, or were you turnicanted?

i had to stick my stump between my legs and squeeze then rolled on my back then my co workers came and put a turnicate on. it took me 5 days and 6 pints of blood to get normal

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i went into shock instantly. and to this day i still have flashbacks that shake me to my core to this day

What are the professional opinions of your recovery? do the doctors think it will be a full recovery?

They are not sure yet and ill be lucky if i get 80 percent back

After having it completely removed from your body, that fucking amazes me. An 80% recovery is ridiculous considering your arm WAS NOT ATTACHED TO YOUR BODY! God I love medical science.

These were the more tame photos im just happy to be alive.

Does that mean you have more gruesome photos?

yes i do i have one that has all my inner parts nicely organized on the table

Is your old job paying you while you are going through all of this, and how awesome is your health insurance?

Yes workers comp is taking care of everything

Which hand did you write with before the accident?

Right

Were you given a choice of amputating the remainder of your arm at the elbow or reattachment? If so, why did you choose reattachment? EDIT: I noticed you answered this question below. Would you still choose reattachment now after knowing what it will take to regain function/feeling?

Yes i do not want to look back an wonder what if. At the time i made the best worst descison i could at the time

Is it hard to answer this question with one hand?

Also good luck for the future :p

Very, i have to reach across the key board that is why im look into talk to text programs

How much shorter is your arm now?

2.5 inches

get better friend. If i was you I would cry considering how close gta V is to coming out

Yeah i put my pre order in and got bioshock infinite the day this happend

Ladies and gentlemen, presenting! The fastest one hand clapper!

jk :]

Really glad to see you have your arm back.

i laughed to hard to this thank you

Did you try to taste a small bite?

not by choice i had my mouth open when it happend

Did you take a picture of your own detached arm or was it someone else?

Someone else, the first set of photos were taking by my surgeon. the rest are done by me

Sorry if this question is a bit inappropriate but when you move around is your right hand all floppy at the moment like does it just bend everywhere? You are an incredible human and i wish you all the success in the future =)

no i only have slight movement due to the plates i have holding my wrist together but i have no muscle or tendons connected so if i didnt have the plates it would be fun

Will you be able to use your arm again?

I am un sure right now i still have to reconnect my nerves to find out

Will your arm remain 1ft smaller for ever?

Are you worried that you will remain with a Stubby arm for the rest of your life?

Did you get Work's Comp?

Yes i get workers comp an im fine with my arm bein 2 inches shorter i just have to bend over a little more to wank it

Is it rude to assume all your answers will take twice as long to respond to?

no because its true im usin my non dominant handand having to reach across the keyboard