Question:
I bet this questions hasn't been asked before about plastics!

Hello AMOS. I have a consult scheduled for plastic surgery on June 30th. As a small child, I was in a severe accident where I received 2nd and 3rd degree burns from my knees to my toes. I was 6 when the accident happened. At the time, the doctors said that I should wait to have plastic surgery on my legs and feet until I stopped growing. Remember, this was in the 1980's. Anyway, as I grew older, I just learned to accept my scars and they never bothered me. I didn't want plastics because it would just create another scar on my butt or thigh from the skin graft. Now that I am looking into an adominoplasty, I was wondering if they could use the skin they remove to cover the scars on my legs? What do you all think? I am now 30 years old, so if they can't do it its not a big deal, but I was just curious. Thanks    — enjo4 (posted on June 18, 2004)

June 18, 2004
Wow! I don't think I have ever seen a question like yours, but what a terrific thing if it could happen for you. The thing to check on at the consult is, does that PS do the kind of graft work you need. He might want to refer you to a burn specialist. Best of luck. Hope it happens for you!
   — Fixnmyself

June 18, 2004
I hope that it could be done like that but I am not sure. I hope so and you should try. Plastic surgeons will tell you that the skin of a former obese person is different than a non obese person which is why people should have plastic surgery with a surgeon experienced in bariatrics. Having said that, perhaps the skin on your tummy may not be the correct skin for your legs. But on the other hand, since you are only 30 years old, your skin might be in great shape...I would certainly try for it!!!!
   — Lynne C.

June 18, 2004
as a nurse who dosnt specialize in PS..i would still say it can be done as an autoglougous graft would not be rejected.I would find the right surgeon and go for it! ALL the Best!! Tracey
   — traceybubbles

June 18, 2004
Wow. That got me thinking. I worked as one of 3 burn surgeons in Houston at the Hermann Burn Unit for a few years before entering private practice. It is possible to do what you suggest, but here are my concerns. 1) The grafts may or may not improve the scarring. If the scarring is deep and very disfiguring or limits knee/leg motion then maybe. 2) The abdominal skin, if very stretch-marked, may not make a great graft. 3) The lack of motion needed while your legs heal plus a tummy that hurt would be a BIG risk for leg blood clots, and would make a week plus hospitalization necessary. Risky in that respect. So my opinion would be to consider it, but only if your leg problem were really, really severe or limiting you somehow.
   — DrL