plastic surgery question

Hi Everyone: I remember reading somewhere that there may be some plastic surgeons that will do tummy tucks, etc free if you will donate the skin to a hospital burn ward or such. Has anyone read or heard about this? Am I hallucinating? Would love to hear from you about this one. Thanks in advance for your help, Bob 9 months post op, -130lbs

Hi Bob: Your picture looks like you are holding your old head under your arm like a basketball. I've never heard this, but that is an amazing thing. I'd have a lot to donate! I wonder ......... Tara

Bob: I had heard about this, too, but the last I heard was that it was really just rumor, and that burn centers: a) use grafts from the burn patients themselves (this is usually what happens) b) have sufficent skin available from cadavers and, amusingly enough, foreskins (!) and c) often use synthetic skin products. According to a transplant website, they say this kind of donation is "unworkable" and "cost prohibitive". Take a look at http://www.transweb.org/reference/articles/donation/excess_skin_donation.html But if all else fails, you might want to contact the Shriner's Burn Centers - The nearest one is in Boston, and the Shriners have a website.

I went to the website you posted. Bummer! Basically, it won't work for them to obtain our skin by way of surgery, but when we kick the can they'll be jumping for joy over all that excess skin!! Kathy F.

I've never heard of it, but boy would that be great!!! Let us know what you find out ... and Tara's right, you do look like you're holding your own head!

LOL - or maybe it's the head of his evil twin. No, with Bob, I think he IS the evil twin. Oooo! I'm gonna get it for THAT one!

Thanks for the laugh Lucky i'm such an even tempered person. Missed you last night, see you next week?? Bob

I wonder if "cracklins" could be made out of it . . . EEEEEW! I just grossed MYSELF out!