Removing living donor kidneys via belly buttons!

[MooseMom]

I just saw this on the local news this evening...

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=8984450

Hopefully this will encourage a few more living donors.

[chook]

This looks a very 'simple' way of removing a kidney. My brother-in-law recently donated to my sister - both were quite fit prior to surgery and this no doubt helped them recover. I've posted a pic of b-i-law's abdomen - he turned 60 last year. There was a slight bit of bruising on the bottom incision.

[Poppylicious]

I wouldn't have donated if they could only do it this way; I have a (very irrational) hatred of belly buttons and can't stand mine being touched in any way.  Even seeing belly button jewellery on other people makes me feel queasy!

Plus, I really like my scars (not too dissimilar to Chook's BiLs, although my take-the-kidney-out scar is vertical rather than horizontal.)

 

[Joe]

Just another option Poppy, some people have a real aversion to scarring caused by surgery. This method would eliminate that problem for them.

[chook]

Poppy, had to tell this belly button story:
After having a hernia op, my belly button all but disappeared. The first time my grandie saw me naked, she was horrified that I didn't have a belly button - and instantly pulled up her shirt to check on hers. With great relief, she reported, "It's okay, mine's still there!"
I always smile when I think of her frantically checking to make sure her belly button was okay.
My belly button has returned, a bit different but at least I don't look an alien any more.