Question:
Anyone know of a hospital that removes skin for free?

My mother had the gastric bypass surgery and has lost over a hundred lbs and her insurance will not pay to have any cosmetic surgery. We are looking for a hospital that she can donate her skin to. A burn center...possibly? She lives in Maine and had heard that there is a hospital in Boston that does that.    — Karen C. (posted on November 6, 2005)

November 6, 2005
That is a myth. Normally the quality of skin we have to offer is too damaged (stretchmarked) to do any good. I have never heard of anyone actually getting PS for free or reduced because of donating skin.
   — zoedogcbr

November 6, 2005
Find out if her insurance covers 'reconstructive' surgery. That may be covered while 'cosmetic' surgery is not likely to be covered.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 6, 2005
I'm afraid this is an urban legend. It would be nice, though, huh?
   — Jeanie

November 6, 2005
Hi. Skin is donated for use by science and for burn patients, but only from cadavers. Extensive testing must be done, and therfore all the skin is used. As you might imagine, trading or selling our body parts would not be a good idea...remember that movie "Coma?" And the "body part scandal in Galveston? Anyway, a University medical school may have a training program where the suregry could be done by plastic surgery residents at a discount. To look good, though, will involve out-of-pocket expenses unfortunately.
   — DrL

November 6, 2005
Hadn't heard of that one. I thought some insurances would pay for the plastic surgery after a person has gone through WLS. I would think the extra skin can become a health issue because as a person continues to loose the weight extra skin is going to develop and may hinder a persons movement because the skin now weighs a lot.
   — the7thdean

November 6, 2005
If the excess skin is causing things like back pain, from the weight of the skin, then its NOT cosmetic and should be covered. she shoulds ask her WLS for advice, since they usually know whats covered by who.
   — bob-haller

November 6, 2005
I'm afraid the others are right. It is just a rumor. There are no burn centers out there that will pay for the surgery for the donation of your skin. one reason being is that they can grow synthetic skin in a lab way cheaper than the cost of cosmetic surgery and hospital bills for someone. Plus yes our skin is usually not of good quality because of stretch marks and so on. Sorry it couldn't be true though. I am having the same problem with my insurance and I have lost over 200lbs of weight. I have lots n lots of skin, and insurance says no dice not even tummy tuck.... Holding out though I firmly believe that the skin surgery will be part of the follow up care before long. Your WLS sister. Jo Michalko
   — Jo_Michalko

November 7, 2005
After you've lost a considerable amount of weight, you'll find that the flap(s) of skin you are left with can/will cause a skin infection. Discuss this with your surgeon. In most cases your insurance will cover the skin reduction if your doctor/surgeon stipulates that the skin has become infected from the related weight loss surgery. (Varies from insurance to insurance). Good Luck.
   — Ti F.