A man in São Paulo, Brazil, underwent reconstructive surgery on half of his jaw using tissue from his leg after a fall during a pursuit of a phone thief. André Gayoso, 35, was returning home from a night out when his phone was snatched by a passing biker. In his attempt to chase the thief, he tripped and fell on a metal bar, resulting in a 13-day coma and severe injuries to his jaw and teeth.
To repair his damaged chin, André underwent 11 corrective surgeries, utilizing bone and skin from his right leg. Despite the ordeal, André expressed gratitude that his sunglasses, the sole surviving personal item from the incident, remained unscathed. Recounting his experience, André highlighted the challenges he faced upon waking from the coma, including the loss of muscle mass and the need for extensive medical procedures.
The incident, which garnered significant attention in Brazil, led to André’s hospitalization and subsequent surgeries. While major procedures were covered by his health insurance, he incurred substantial medical expenses for minor treatments. Remarkably, he continued running his sunglasses business during his hospital stay.
Following a series of surgeries to reconstruct his jaw and improve his speech, André remains focused on his sunglasses brand, AAGYO. With plans to expand his product line, André is determined to move forward despite the physical and financial obstacles he has encountered.