First Success in Face Transplantation

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Enoch Choi

Folks have waited with baited breath as a year has passed since the first face transplant was performed in France. Today, the surgeons claimed the procedure a success as the woman was shown with the ability to smile. Twice, her body came close to rejecting the face, harvested from a brain-dead donor. It's fortunate that she claims not to have had psychological trouble from seeing someone else in the mirror, "all I see is me."

I'm only troubled that she's continued to smoke, even if it's in moderation. It could lead to blood vessel hardening that could possibly harm the transplanted face's blood supply, and speed rejection. I'm also concerned about the lifelong anti-rejection medications that could possibly increase her risk for cancer.

Here's to wishing her well, it's certainly remarkable what these plastic surgeons have accomplished. Congrats!

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Tags: Healthline, health, medical, doctor, physician, face transplant, plastic surgery

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