Watch | 87-year-old Reyes's burnt hand sewn into tummy to save it

Despite appearances, Frank Reyes has two arms and two hands. It's just that his left hand has been tucked away for safe keeping. Reyes's hand has been surgically placed underneath a pocket of tissue in his abdomen for three weeks. It's a rare technique that is being monitored by plastic surgeon, Dr. Anthony Echo. A normally fit 87 year-old, he almost lost his hand after a freak accident while changing a tyre out on his family ranch. His hand was pinned against metal for nearly half an hour on a very hot day. The burn was so extensive, doctors said a normal skin graft would never have worked. So they turned to a method that is rarely used today, one that dates back to World War One, according to Dr. Echo. Reyes hopes to be back in the saddle again, as soon as the doctor's clear him to work outdoors.