I ran into a friend of my mother's the other day, my mum had told her about my sleeve. I found out she has had it done too and lost 195 pounds, she is three yeas out now. She mentioned the saggy skin and said she had her tummy tuck at a local hospital for FREE because she donated her excess skin to the burn unit.

Apparently if you have a few pounds of excess skin and donate it (via tons of forms) you can get it for free!

Anyone heard of this before??

It was a Dr. Cortina in Willits/Ukiah Ca

I recently heard some iffy news of him though, apparently he didn't go to Med School for cosmetics but has been doing some sort of seminar program to get his degree.

Someone said he had botched a tummy tuck recently. I think he has a website though.

There is a big difference in Cosmetic surgery and Plastic surgery. Cosmetic surgery can be done by your DENTIST usually injectables (Botox)!! But some GP's will take these weekend courses. PLASTIC surgery is done by a surgeon that trained for at least two years in that field. So PLEASE make sure you are using a PLASTIC surgeon for any reconstructive surgery.

Hmmm....my research indicates otherwise as indicated in my thread about donating excess skin.

http://www.traumaburn.org/who/skinbank/faq.shtml says free tummy tucks for the skin isn't done.

Something is wrong here.

Based on what I have read, they don't really want streched out tummy skin for grafts unless there are no other options. I wouldn't count on this as a viable option.

One of my friends works at one of the major university hospitals here with a BIIIIG burn unit, and she had heard about this. She's looking into it for me for down the road.

Please before considering any surgeon for plastics, make sure that surgeon is board certified to do the procedures you are considering.

Even if it is not quid pro quo I would surely be happy to donate my skin. It sure would be nice to know that at least something good came out of all my years of misery!

Someone mentioned this in my orientation seminar today actually! Apparently the burn center in San Antonio performs this type of surgery, the free tuck if you promise to donate removed skin. Which if I can do that when the time comes, i'll gladly do it!

I would be interested in donating too - but most important is I want good results.

Am I the only one TERRIFIED of plastics....lol???!!!

To me, this surgery sounds much rougher then being sleeved.

I would be interested in donating too - but most important is I want good results.

Am I the only one TERRIFIED of plastics....lol???!!!

To me' date=' this surgery sounds much rougher then being sleeved.[/quote']

I agree! Recovery times are long, incisions are massive- very scary!

Well, I've paid for one TT believe if a 2nd is needed I will be paying for it & returning to same surgeon. TT is no joke! 6 wk heal time, hip to hip scar! This surgery is more traumatic than a C-section. Trust me I've had both C-section 1992 & TT in 2003. Please do your research!

"If you have had Bariatric Surgery and you wish to donate your excess skin, you will have to ask if your plastic surgeon participates in a skin donation program. Most surgeons do not keep the removed skin, as skin from cadavers is more appropriate in the treatment of burn victims."

http://www.barnabashealth.org/contact/skin.html

Donation of any body tissue or organs is totally non reimbursable. You are not supposed to be able to have a discounted procedure either. However, I want to follow this post so I can get more information just in case I can have my surgery covered also.

Well' date=' I've paid for one TT believe if a 2nd is needed I will be paying for it & returning to same surgeon. TT is no joke! 6 wk heal time, hip to hip scar! This surgery is more traumatic than a C-section. Trust me I've had both C-section 1992 & TT in 2003. Please do your research![/quote']

Can you share more info as to why you needed two TT?

Holy crap on a cracker.. Im originally from Ukiah Calif.. how odd is that.

Cowgirl, my only TT was 10yrs ago & is holding up well with recent illness & weight gain. I was saying if a 2nd was needed I would hv to go thru w/it. My skin has changed & I fear the worst but I'm hopeful because I losing slow.