First US patient gets face transplant

JBean · May 6, 2009

Surgeons have replaced 80% of a woman's face, transplanting bone, teeth, muscle and nerve in the first such operation in the United States.

They said the woman suffered severe trauma that cost her an eye, much of her nose and her upper jaw and left her unable to breathe, smell, taste or smile properly.

"You need a face to face the world," Dr Maria Siemionow, director of plastic surgery research at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where the operation was performed, told a news conferenc

Picture at link

MeoW333 · May 6, 2009

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090506/ap_on_he_me/med_face_transplant

I was just reading about this on yahoo! It's so wonderful that surgeons are so skilled to perform a face transplant successfully! A miracle for people to be able to leave their homes and not be ridiculed.

Gozgals · May 6, 2009

This is a true advancement for the medical world. What a miracle for the patient. I'm so happy to read about this. She now has another chance at a life. This is just amazing.

Thanks for the post

Always
Gozgals

roller26 · May 6, 2009

Omg! That is amazing & wonderful! Thank you for posting. Hope her recovery goes well- she's been thru SO much already.

sillygoose · May 6, 2009

Her nose is perfect! The surgeons did an incredible job. I can't imagine not having a nose to breathe and smell with. How wonderful to get that back. I wish her all the best!

SuziQ · May 6, 2009

Such a wonderful thing to see! Can you imagine what's in store for others over the next few years as this surgery advances? Absolutely incredible.

lizzybeth · May 6, 2009

It IS amazing. Who would have ever thought, even five years ago, that this would be possible. I'm so glad the surgeons were able to help this lady. It looks like they've really done a good job too if the picture is only two weeks after the surgery. I'm sure she still has some swelling.

I wonder though, how it affects the patient when they look in the mirror. Sure, they're happy they no longer have to hide, but does it bother them that they no longer look like themselves; that they possibly look just like someone else?

Boyz_Mum · May 6, 2009

It is amazing. I hope with this case, doctors are able to go forward and utilize the knowledge to help in other cases where people are disfigured (burns, accidents, etc...)

I am praying this lady has happy years ahead of her, she's an inspiration.
:blowkiss:

cinsbythesea · May 6, 2009

truly amazing what they can do these days medically and surgically. I have to wonder why the animal husband of hers only got seven years - doesn't seem right at all.

PattyCake · May 6, 2009

What she originally looked like:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/Story?id=7511337&page=2

It looks so strange to me. Amazing medical feat although far from perfected. I have a hard time when I see what she looked like originally - to her new face.

But happy for her that she can have more of a life now with this surgery. Congrats to the docs.

jannuncutt · May 11, 2009

PattyCake said:
What she originally looked like:
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/Story?id=7511337&page=2

It looks so strange to me. Amazing medical feat although far from perfected. I have a hard time when I see what she looked like originally - to her new face.

But happy for her that she can have more of a life now with this surgery. Congrats to the docs.

I agree with you. She saw and heard her on one of the morning news shows. She said, "I am not a monster". How sad!

Gozgals · May 12, 2009

cinsbythesea said:
truly amazing what they can do these days medically and surgically. I have to wonder why the animal husband of hers only got seven years - doesn't seem right at all.

I have to wonder too why his sentence was so short. :furious: He really is a monster this man.

I read she forgave him. I hope she did not take him back. What a tough lady and to forgive a monster takes a lot of guts. I admire her.

Always
Gozgals

ziggy · May 12, 2009

Sadly I did hear a report on the Tele. that she was considering taking him back! Can't verify that, just heard it and thought, what????

lizzybeth · May 12, 2009

ziggy said:
Sadly I did hear a report on the Tele. that she was considering taking him back! Can't verify that, just heard it and thought, what????

I hope that's a rumor. Someone shoots you in the face with a shotgun, destroying your face and putting you through years of pain, and you take him back. Say it ain't so.

Linda7NJ · May 12, 2009

ziggy said:
Sadly I did hear a report on the Tele. that she was considering taking him back! Can't verify that, just heard it and thought, what????

I caught the tale end of an old interview with her before her new face...she said she will always love him and didn't want to answer questions about what will happen when he is released from prison.

lizzybeth · May 12, 2009

Linda7NJ said:
I caught the tale end of an old interview with her before her new face...she said she will always love him and didn't want to answer questions about what will happen when he is released from prison.

:banghead:

I hope with the new face she's getting counseling. The surgeons should make her sign a contract that she won't go back to him. They might not offer her this opportunity again.

SuziQ · May 12, 2009

ziggy said:
Sadly I did hear a report on the Tele. that she was considering taking him back! Can't verify that, just heard it and thought, what????

That's too bad and sadly not surprising. It's that type of relationship dynamic, that would lead to someone being in a relationship, that would end that way to begin with.

Boyz_Mum · May 12, 2009

I hope this isn't true about her wanting to be with this man. May she have the strength and courage to move on to a better life. The circumstance/outcome of the shooting wasn't the same, but Mary Jo Buttafuoco was able to overcome being shot by Amy Fischer (husband behind the act) and she is living a decent life from what I've read. Lots of prayers for this woman to do the same.

Kat · May 12, 2009

http://www.wowowow.com/relationship...rning-america-thomas-culp-diane-sawyer-290380

clip of interview with Connie at link. At bottom of article.

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_Ne...-wife-in-face-by-accident/UPI-61791241836476/

...Connie Culp, who has publicly stated she forgives her husband, underwent the world's first near-total face transplant last December. Thomas Culp is serving a seven-year prison term for attempted murder and is expected to be released in 2011...

I can't find an article that says she is the one that wants to reconcile but the above link says that he did say it.

http://www.wtov9.com/news/19409532/detail.html

...Her doctors said in about a year, her facial expressions will be entirely different. They expect her to look less like the donor and more like herself...

When I first saw her picture after the surgery, I wondered if some of that was swelling and some might be caused by anti-rejection drugs. I think her appearance will be very different as time passes.

Recovering-Lurker · Nov 12, 2009

Chimp Victim Charla Nash Shows Face On Oprah: Before And After Photo

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20091111-tows-charla-nash-chimp

In an interview with Opray Winfrey on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, a woman by the name of Charla Nash revealed to the viewers the damage that was done to her face when she was attacked by a Chimpanzee.

http://www.ecanadanow.com/curiosity...h-shows-face-on-oprah-before-and-after-photo/

**Warning: Graphic photos.** So sad. She is so much more positive than I could be. What a strong woman.

First US patient gets face transplant

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