I have both. In fact I have 4 legs. Cosmetic, running/walking, shower/swimming leg and a 'back up' leg. Cosmetic legs can look pretty and very real as long as you have a good prosthetist and a bit of money.

I have a vacuum system and LOVE IT. Over the last 17 years I've tried just about everything, but the vacuum is the best (at least for me). There are many vacuum systems out there, but best I found are the Harmony by Otto Bock and the V-Hold from Hanger.

I wear two types of liners. One is FSL and one is urethane. The FSL liner was originally made for Winter, the dolphin that wears a prosthetic tail. Dolphin skin is many times more sensitive then human skin. This liner is very cushy and forgiving, like a marshmallow. Prior to this (and sometimes now) I ware urethane liner from Otto Bock because this is what works best with vacuum systems.

If I have gait issues, they are usually due to the injuries to my right leg. My prosthetic is really my good leg. But most people can't tell. In fact most of my clients don't know I am missing a leg. Your gait should be just as it was before injury so DON'T settle for anything less. See as many prosthetists as you need to get what you want.

My next goal is to wear heals. Again my right foot is really the problem, not my prosthetic. You can get an adjustable heel and shouldn't have any problems.

It's semi-easy to take on and off, but you shouldn't have to take off your leg until you go to bed. You put in on in the morning and take it off at night. If you have issues and feel the need to take it off -- something is not right. So figure what that is and fix it. You should forget that you wear a prosthetic.

I use my other foot and so should you if you drive automatic. But I used to drive a clutch and still sometime drive my brother's jeep and have no issues. (Of course, you need to learn how to drive a clutch first!--regardless of your missing leg.)

I don't usually worry about nylons. I treat everything as though it's a regular leg. If I would normally wear nylons, then I do, if not, I don't.

They have toes, and different types of toes. Also you can get a foot that has a split toe so you can wear flip flops. You can certainly paint them and most people won't be able to tell the difference.

Yes, one is a split toe. But my right leg is an issue for me for sandals. On my right leg I am missing most of my heal, can't move my toes, have a dropped foot, etc. So I usually wear Keen's.

No. But you might in the beginning until you get used to it. It's really depends upon your stamina. Now, I do have days where either I will:

1. Have a sore or maybe get sick so I will feel like staying in bed and won't get up all day. I'll crawl around on my knees. (I can't use crutches because of the injuries to my other leg.)

or

2. I just feel like lounging and watching tv so I hang in bed.

The important thing about this is that your state of mind is okay and you are not falling into a depression. Second, you don't want leg issues to prevent you from doing things and having the need to use crutches. These days are 1-2 per year.

You can swim with a leg. When I go to the beach I always wear a leg because I play a lot in the water and need a leg. I also windsurf. But sometimes I will go without my leg in my pool because I want the my residual limb to get a little exposure to water and exercise.

Sometimes, but I just 'unhook it' because sometimes the seats are small and force you to bend your knee too much. But this shouldn't be the case most of the time. Your leg needs to be comfortable even when you are sitting for a long time (like on an airplane).

Yes. The TSA always checks me, and it's a pain. But there are some benefits --- in most airports you can cut through security lines and go where wheelchairs, pilots and crew go through. It cuts a lot of time. So you may gain 3-4 minutes while they check you/pat you down, but mostly you will cut a lot more time when skipping lines.

Also, I always wear shorts and the most obvious prosthetic so they can see it when I am walking through the scanner. This way they don't ask me to take off my shoes and as soon as they see me in line, usually, someone will get ready to check me.

No, there is no difference. Your leg should be just as comfortable and you shouldn't even think about it.

I have quite a few scars and my leg is very short, by a couple of inches. Plus, my tibia bone is sticking out and I have huge crevasses and invaginations. This make me a very difficult to fit. It's also very sensitive. But it's not something that causes any issues for me.

You will sometimes get phantom pain. I found this little trick where if I touch on one nerve in my leg it will sort of divert the phantom pain and when I release the nerve pressure they both go away. You may find something like this as well.

I was 16 when I lost my leg and I've had few serious relationships since. I find it the best to let the person know right away. This way it's out, I tell them how it happened and we talk about it.

This actually helps connect you with the person on a deeper level because you are sharing something about yourself that's personal. It will usually lead to that person sharing something personal about them. (I didn't share this with everyone I ever went on a date with; but if there is a potential I do it sooner rather than later.) Having a prosthetic is sort of a benefit because it's a quick deterrent for shallow and 'not so nice' guys you probably don't want to deal with in the first place. If they are not able to look past this, they probably will have issues with other things later on. This way you find out right away without investing years into the relationship.

As for the sex....you will have to play that by ear......but when it happens, with the right guy, trust me---you won't really think about your leg. When I think something sexual will happen I just make sure I have new clean sleeves (or ones I just washed). I also make sure I wash my limb so it's not so sweaty. But being a BK this is really not that big of a deal. Above knee it's a little trickier.

As far as whether to leave your leg on during sex, that is really a personal choice. Whatever is the most comfortable for you and your partner.