Well here we go again ... let me tell you what I've been told ...

Yet again I've been told of a "free" program at another hospital in Missouri where they will remove excess skin. First I was told the University of Missouri in Columbia has a program wherein excess skin can be removed free as "donation" for skin grafting for burns. I haven't really checked into that yet, but when I asked about things like this on the main board, someone posted and said it was impossible ... that they couldn't use skin like this. Now I've been told that Shriner's Hospital in St. Louis has a similar program, and that a local GBS patient is going there for skin removal. I'm getting ready to contact this lady and ask her the particulars. If they *really* do this, it might just be the answer for me because I'm Medicare and will *not* qualify for any skin removal past having the panni removed. Anyone else come across anything like this? Myra G

Hi Myra, I havent come across anywhere that is "free". I am going in on Monday for my hernia repair and tummy tuck. The surgeon had me sign a form (which he asked me if I wanted this first) to donate my skin. I was more then happy to do that. I have to pay for my arms, but the rest is covered thru my insurance. I asked the office after I read your email and they dont know of any in this area that does the surgery for free if you donate. Sorry I cant help, but its nice coming back once in a while. I miss you guys a lot. Hugs, Soos

Thanks Soos ... I'll certainly post more here when I'm able to talk with the lady here that's *supposedly* getting this accomplished this way. Probably a 'rumor' ... but worth looking into. My biggest problem will my lower half ... other than the panni. I have so much skin flopping around below my waist it's almost encumbering now. My arms are bad, but nothing I can't live with, and anything else I'd consider icing on a cake. I'm pretty resigned to living with most of it unless I can go back to work and find insurance that would cover removal ... and that's a slim chance right now. Miss you too!! Myra G

I was told that the bigger universities offer this removal for free if you donate the skin. I haven't checked into it any further since I am pre-op and need all of my skin right now LOL Good Luck!!!