I have only been banded since May 2012 so my loose skin situation is not really bad...yet. An acquaintance told me about something she heard happened at some hospitals, where some plastic surgeons do post weight loss surgery in exchange for the donated skin. The skin would be used for grafts and burn patients etc. I don't trust this person implicitly because she is very jealous of my ability to get the lapband. So I I thought I'd mention it here before I made an ass of myself calling surgeons and hospitals. Has anyone heard of this?

Never heard of it, please let me know if it's legit.

found this online:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/126643-donate-skin-after-bariatric-surgery/

Bariatric surgery patients commonly undergo plastic surgery, or body contouring, to remove excess skin and help reshape the body after they have lost a significant amount of weight. Advancements in medical technology have allowed doctors to use tissue from living donors in procedures such as breast reconstruction or abdominal wall repair following hernias. If you have undergone bariatric surgery and are planning on having any type of body contouring procedure, making the decision to donate your excess skin can go a long way to improving someone else's quality of life.

Step 1

Talk to your doctor about your interest in donating your skin. Your surgeon will be able to provide you with additional information about skin donation and help you decide if it is the right choice for you.

Step 2

Wait until you have maintained a stable weight for 12 to 18 months before undergoing body contouring surgery and having skin removed. Most patients who donate skin have lost 100 pounds or more. Having plastic surgery before your weight has stabilized may result in the need for additional surgery as your body continues to change.

Step 3

Contact the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation to see if you are eligible to become a skin donor. Fill out the contact form on the MTF website, indicating your surgeon's name and telephone number, and the expected date of your body contouring procedure. MTF will contact you to obtain more information and schedule a medical assessment.

Step 4

Be prepared to answer a series of questions regarding your medical history. The questions MTF asks are similar to those you have to answer when donating blood. U.S. food and Drug Administration guidelines prohibit tissue donation from individuals with certain "relevant communicable disease agents or diseases," such as HIV, hepatitis and certain STDs.

Tips and Warnings

• The National Organ Transplant Act prohibits the buying and selling of organs and tissues. You will not be paid for your extra skin or reimbursed for your surgery, but donating your skin costs you nothing extra
  
  

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/126643-donate-skin-after-bariatric-surgery/#ixzz2GYnmChaD

i had a breast reduction in 97, they took off nine pounds and i donated my skin. i just signed some papers.

I would be looking at summer 2014, anticipating a 1 year wait. I would love to be able to help someone who needs it. Hopefully it will work out! What a win/win no matter what. It would be better than just tossing it out in the garbage so to speak.

Way to do some research, Carolina Girl!!!! I will def donate my skin if and when i get it removed

I tried to donate my skin they removed from my tummy tuck 2 weeks ago.... But they couldnt use it. It was only 10 oz total weight and no fat behind it so it came off like cheesecloth.. I was kind of disappointed

I tried to donate my skin they removed from my tummy tuck 2 weeks ago.... But they couldnt use it. It was only 10 oz total weight and no fat behind it so it came off like cheesecloth.. I was kind of disappointed

Its the thought that counts. You tried. Most people wouldnt bother taking the extra time to even try to donate. I dont understand why they make you sign it over... once its removed its bio waste anyway. I guess to screen for disease

Its the thought that counts. You tried. Most people wouldnt bother taking the extra time to even try to donate. I dont understand why they make you sign it over... once its removed its bio waste anyway. I guess to screen for disease

Can i please ask how long was your surgery?

Can i please ask how long was your surgery?

About 5 hrs I had three procedures...a breast lift and augmentation and the tummy tuck. I went under at 830 am and the dr called my husband at 130p to tell me they were finished... And I had and I quote....a smoking bod.... LOL. My husband got a kick out of that.

I was awake by about 215p and on my way home at 3ish

About 5 hrs I had three procedures...a breast lift and augmentation and the tummy tuck. I went under at 830 am and the dr called my husband at 130p to tell me they were finished... And I had and I quote....a smoking bod.... LOL. My husband got a kick out of that.

I was awake by about 215p and on my way home at 3ish

If u dont mind me asking, how much did all of that surgery cost?

Im thinking about getting the tummy tuck or a mini one. Im at goal.. my dr. Told me I can get a tattoo where the port will be repositioned.. and that the surgeon will mark the spot. Should I get the tattoo done before the doctor marks the spot since I can feel my port now? Has anyone done this?

I went to a tattoo place and I asked them about ink poisoning to which they stated they werent concerned because a lot of pple have tattoos on their arms and they have gotten shots or given blood. Also what about hair removal on a tattoo.. can u shave if u need to?

Lastly, how is the scarring? I dont have a lot of skin because I exercise so im contmplating whether I should get it done.

Thank you in advance for ur replies on this.

i heard that some universities will do plastic surg. for free if you let them keep the skin.... I never looked into it my self.... But i have heard this. I guess if you have a lot to take off..

I, like my friend Floridays... i didn't have enough skin. I wish i would have done the breast at the same time.... i want a do over...lol

I only had my tt and it was $8800 total. Out of pocket, insurance didn't cover one cent.

KN11....here's what my scar looks like at 11 months.

Thank u so much. How many hours were u in surgery? I cant believe it wasnt covered. U look great. And the scar isnt bad at all. How was your healing process?

Should I get the tattoo done before the doctor marks the spot since I can feel my port now? Has anyone done this?

I went to a tattoo place and I asked them about ink poisoning to which they stated they werent concerned because a lot of pple have tattoos on their arms and they have gotten shots or given blood. Also what about hair removal on a tattoo.. can u shave if u need to?

If you were going to get ink poisoning it would happen at the time of tattooing I personally would wait until after the surgery, finding the port shouldn't be a problem.

Im thinking about getting the tummy tuck or a mini one. Im at goal.. my dr. Told me I can get a tattoo where the port will be repositioned.. and that the surgeon will mark the spot. Should I get the tattoo done before the doctor marks the spot since I can feel my port now? Has anyone done this?

I went to a tattoo place and I asked them about ink poisoning to which they stated they werent concerned because a lot of pple have tattoos on their arms and they have gotten shots or given blood. Also what about hair removal on a tattoo.. can u shave if u need to?

Lastly, how is the scarring? I dont have a lot of skin because I exercise so im contmplating whether I should get it done.

Thank you in advance for ur replies on this.

Yes you can shave your tattoo after it is completely healed... I have a total of 18 tattoos and the biggest is on my leg and I do shave! but I also find that I don’t grow much hair on the tattoos as I used to get without the tattoos! also tattoos are only skin deep if you get cut or nicked or poked with a needle the ink wont flow through your blood! like terry said if you get ink poisoning it would be at the time of getting the tattoo and it would be the artist that made a mistake... I don’t know anyone who has ever had ink poisoning though and just about everyone I know has a tattoo... it doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen it probably just doesn’t happen often! I would also wait to get one until after the port is repositioned if I were you!