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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:43 AM
Original message
Full face transplant 'a success'
Source: BBC

A team of 30 Spanish doctors say they have successfully performed the world's first full face transplant.

A man injured in a shooting accident received the entire facial skin and muscles - including cheekbones, nose, lips and teeth - of a donor.

The man is recovering well after the 22-hour operation, said a spokesperson from Vall d'Hebron University Hospital.

Another 10 face transplants have been carried out around the world, but this is believed to be the most complex.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8639437.stm
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Robb Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:44 AM
Response to Original message
1. Always good to hear they're getting better at this stuff. K&R. nt
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hlthe2b Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:46 AM
Response to Original message
2. That would have to be a hard thing psychologically
To assume someone else's face--even their nose, lips and teeth. Organ transplants are one thing, but this is quite different. Of course, I'm sure anyone would be grateful to have the procedure, given their horrible disfigurement....
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:51 AM
Response to Reply #2
3. Not after the only way you've been able to eat is through a tube
inserted directly into your stomach. After a number of months of that, you would no longer care how you looked just to be able to eat a sandwich.

Remember, even with the transplant, it's still pretty grotesque. However, what they're restoring is function and if you've lost function for any period of time, you realize that's enough.
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hlthe2b Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:56 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. There is intellectual aknowledgement
and then there is the psychological process of healing. No one discounts the horrible grotesque life he was doomed to live without, so of course anyone in that spot would be incredibly grateful.
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Warpy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:14 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. Right, I have scar tissue partially obscuring one iris
where I had a corneal transplant. Before the transplant, my vision was 20/400 and getting worse. Now it's 20/50.

I don't care if some people look at me oddly trying to figure out what they're picking up on.
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muriel_volestrangler Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 11:59 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. An interviewee on the BBC said the psychological aspects were important
He has had facial surgery himself. Audio here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8639000/8639364.stm
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David__77 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:55 PM
Response to Reply #2
12. My face is very different than it was 5 years ago, and it was hard to adjust.
I had all kinds of bones moved. The motivation from a medical standpoint was medical, but the cosmetic changes were extremely positive. Nonetheless, adjusting was a difficult process. Interestingly, I was highly aware of being treated differently be strangers - "better," but this sensitized me to all sorts of aesthetic social implications and the results from that perspective have been mixed.
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jberryhill Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:06 PM
Response to Original message
6. The next step is to find a matching palm

Then, the patient will be all set to use the internet:
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Cronus Protagonist Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:17 PM
Response to Original message
8. Does that make him a facist now?
I hope the donor doesn't look too sad about his loss... that might come out in photographs... :)
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Cheap_Trick Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:40 PM
Response to Original message
9. Did Cheney shoot him too? nt
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TheCowsCameHome Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 07:20 PM
Response to Reply #9
15. I was hoping he was the donor.
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The Backlash Cometh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:52 PM
Response to Original message
10. He's also changing his name from bin Laden to Smith.
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superconnected Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 12:54 PM
Response to Original message
11. Bravo! Wonderful news!
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Soylent Brice Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 01:00 PM
Response to Original message
13. pretty cool stuff. n/t
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thereismore Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Apr-23-10 02:17 PM
Response to Original message
14. Anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life. Otherwise, ... nt
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