Amputee fetishism

[Jason Kottke posted a link to some pictures on Flickr showing women whose limbs had been Photoshopped to look like they'd been amputated. Flickr has since removed the images; they were an example of "electronic surgery," mentioned here...]
Amputee Fetishism is a fetish focused on amputations, generally of limbs. An Internet virtual community exists, with its own special terminology.

Two subtypes of this fetish are generally recognized. Acrotomophilia is an intense desire for one's partner to be an amputee. Acrotomophiles are also known as "devotees." Apotemnophilia is an intense desire to be an amputee. Aptemnophiles are also known as "wannabes." With each, the presence or absence of artificial limbs as an added stimulant is a personal matter for the fetishist.

Amputation fetishism is a paraphilia, a focus on a specific body part or inanimate object. it is technically a form of Teratophilia, sexual attraction to a "deformed or monstrous person".

alt.sex.fetish.amputee was a Usenet newsgroup as far back as 1996, featuring stories and pictures. It has since become overrun with spam.

Electronic Surgery (abbreviated "ES") is a term for images (usually from porn sites) that have been modified to make the subject appear as an amputee.

A "pretender" is a "wannabe" who acts out aptemnophilic fantasies, sometimes in public, usually through limb-binding and the use of loose clothing.

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