Question:
Where in wisconsin would I find a place to donate excess skin if I had a tummy tuck?

I heard from a nurse at group that there was a clinic in milwaukee, but I haven't been able to find any. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!    — Jeanne W. (posted on August 8, 2004)

August 8, 2004
Donating or selling skin is an urban myth. Legitimate medical establishments really do not do this.
   — Ann B.

August 8, 2004
Don't know anything about donating skin, but from a different circumstance, I do know that the excess skin and tissue taken from a tt procedure is considered 2nd rate skin, and is not really usable. I wanted to do a tran flap for a mastectomy that I had, and the PS was not able to use the skin from my stomach area, as it basically had no elasticity left in it....guess when we lose a ton of weight, and the skin just hangs there it is hanging because it lost the ability to go back. I would agree with the first answer to your question about it being an urban myth, as I have never heard of this, either. Best of Luck to you!
   — DorrieB

August 8, 2004
Wow, I can't believe a nurse told you this. I'd expect someone in the medical profession to be more informed. I agree with the other posters, about this being a myth. The elasticity in our skin, post weight loss is nil. This is entirely unusable for grafts, for burn victims, for anything. If the skin bounced back, we wouldn't be removing it.
   — raylo

August 8, 2004
I asked my dr about htis too. They don't need the skin any more they can grow it in a lab cheaper and get a better quality.
   — Rebecca K.