André Gayoso, severely injured after a mugging in Brazil, clings to life after 11 surgeries
André Gayoso, who fell while chasing a thief who stole his phone in São Paulo, went through a grueling treatment process that led to the reconstruction of his jaw.
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The life of businessman André Gayoso, who lives in São Paulo, Brazil, changed completely after a mugging he suffered in October 2022. While waiting for a taxi after leaving an entertainment venue, a cyclist passing by snatched Gayoso's mobile phone and fled.
Gayoso, who ran after the thief to get his phone back, lost his balance while running downhill and hit his face on a guardrail in front of a shop. Rushed to the hospital, Gayoso remained in a coma for 13 days.
Upon waking from the coma, Gayoso learned that his lower jaw was broken and that he had lost a portion of his mouth and six teeth. He described the process he went through, saying, "It was a very frightening situation when I woke up because I couldn't speak or move. During the 13 days I was in a coma, I lost all my muscle mass and lost about 20 kilos."
HIS FACE HAD TO BE RECONSTRUCTED
The loss Gayoso experienced was not only physical. It was stated that the thieves cracked his phone password and emptied his bank accounts in the US as well as his crypto assets.
The most challenging stage of the treatment was the reconstruction of his face. After the first skin graft failed, doctors created a new jaw using a 7-centimeter bone and skin tissue taken from his right fibula in an operation that lasted approximately 11 hours.
Gayoso, who lived with a tracheostomy device to breathe for about 11 months, underwent a total of 11 reconstructive and aesthetic operations by December 2025. It was reported that he is still receiving laser treatment for the skin transplanted to his jaw and is preparing for lip coloring and hair transplant operations.
Stating that he is trying to focus on his business life despite the difficult process, Gayoso said he wants to grow his eyewear brand and develop new products. Gayoso said, "I cannot say that I see a light at the end of the tunnel, but I am imagining it. I have a goal, and that gives me strength. I always look at the positive side of life."