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July 26th, 2010
10:36 AM ET
Full face transplant patient appears in publicThe world's first full face transplant recipient, identified only as Oscar, appeared in public for the first time at a press conference held at a Spanish hospital on Monday. In March, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron performed the transplant in an operation that took 24 hours. Oscar, whose face was severely injured in an accident, had undergone nine failed operations before being considered for the transplant. Surgeons transplanted the entire facial skin and muscles, nose, lips, maxilla, palate, all teeth, cheekbones, and the mandible through plastic surgery and micro-neurovascular reconstructive surgery techniques, according to the hospital. CNN: Spanish doctors conduct full face transplant Although this is the first total face transplant, there have been partial face transplants in France, the United States, China and Spain.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.
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All will become much better after a few years.
I imagine that the man must feel like an astronaut, traveling in an enclosed space vehicle, not sure if he has any chance to return.
Bravo for his brave enduring spirit.
MSNBC is another source of news. They provided more details.
well said arnold! and shame on the idiots on here that make comments on this poor guy!
I wonder what happened to the guy.
I truly wish this man the best. And I wish this type of pain on all of you that poked fun........by going through pain you will hopefully grow into a better person and be more empathetic of this man.
Hi someone. Not rlelay. I did not base it on that. I just used it as an example. It's just that most of my friends abroad always tell me that people's first impression of them is like that.But yeah, I feel you especially re your last paragraph. Most of my non-Pinoy friends always tell me that some of their lot find our being-so-proud-yeah-we'll-rub-it-in when it comes to our achievements annoying sometimes, especially on the Web.and the Kurakot part. the sadder part is, you know there's truth in that.Hey, thanks for dropping by. I appreciate your comment. It makes me rethink a number of things, actually.
How strong and positive Oscar is. To go through all he has is a true testament to his inner strength and positive attitude. It takes time for any surgical incision to heal...the redness goes away, the incision gets smaller over time and the scar is minimal. Oscar looks wonderful right now but I'm sure he will see some other changes as time goes by. What great strides plastic surgery has made. Oscar has fought one heck of a battle and WON! How great that he has gotten his life back!
Beautiful of heart transcend old age, race, gender, socioeconomic status and much more. So, as impressive of a medical achievement it may be, it’s utterly irrelevant to bring it under the shallow beautify scrutiny. Folks, go back to your work. Peace!
This is truly amazing. Hey, what about that poor woman who was attacked by the chimp. I think that she should be in line next.
I thought of her too – Could maybe be done. It seems that this whole process can take several years. They probably learn something new each time and hopefully one day it will be routine in cases of injury / deformation.
Perhaps you should look into assisted suicide.
you are mean he barley had a face before so just shush your mouth!!!!!!
As we grow up and learn to identify our "selves" with what we see in in the mirror, I have to wonder how anyone with a partial or full facial replacement learns to adjust their perception of self?? What a wonderful gift to have any damaged body part replaced. I am very happy for him. Just makes me wonder how you not only rebuild muscles and nerves, but your new self at the same time. Best of luck!!!
DD
Did the donated parts for the surgery come from a single donor? If so, does the paitent resemble the donor? Just curious. Fascinating story!
@Rebfew Rose: Where's the "like" button when you need it? You made my day...
Wow, that is awesome, to go from what must have been true hopelessness to looking human again. Congratulations, Oscar! May you live long and lead the way for many others.
That is so cool! Who cares what he looks like...docs were able to make a man a whole new FACE.
There are far too many people on this board with far too much time on their hands...when karma comes around to kick them in the pants, methinks they'll be thanking their lucky stars for medical advances such as this. I hope Oscar has a thick skin and a good sense of humor...and maybe a good right hook for all of you rubberneckers and busybodies out there who have trouble dealing with things that aren't "normal" or "perfect".
As evident in the picture, the surgery still needs to be refined. His new face is stretched out too far off from his head and I wouldn't be surprised he can't control it accurately. At least, I am assuming, he looks better then he did before.
I wish this person and others like him only the very best. I cannot imagine the disfiguring injuries that must have been. It could have been me, my wife, or one of our children. Be thankful for the good graces you have.
what I find most startling is not the derogatory comments people post in response to the reconstructive surgery that Oscar has gone thorugh, but instead all of the condemnations form the rest of the viewers. Immature cruelty is to be expected, hello we all went through elementary school, as regrettable as that is. But the others proclaiming their self-righteousness, making it known to the world that they are such a good noble person....I doubt it. All of you would stare slyly at Oscar, even the nicest people, it is a huiman reaction. Being confined to a wheelchair I think I should know. Get off the high horses people, it anonymous, no one will recognize how noble and caring you claim to be.
you hit the nail on the head!
It is amazing that they have been able to do so much for this gentleman, and you have to admire his being able to go on with his life after such a horrific injury. Many of us would not have the strength of character that it would take to do so.
This is amazing, Oscar most be very brave to give us such a personal view of his tragedy
Many in his shoes would have given up on life, it is truly awe inspiring that he was willing to
show the world his beautiful new face. I could only hope to be as strong as this man.
Looks like a horses behind
God Bless him!!
Fine job if the only facial expression you wish to convey is "duh!".
I just can't stop giggling.
It's my understanding (from reading previous facial transplant articles) that the swollen jowls are due to inflated balloons to stretch the skin for future cosmetic surgery. I doubt this is the final result, but he looks amazing even now. Given the extent of reconstruction, this is an amazing event for the doctors and the patient.
I wish him all the best in a speedy recovery!
Yeah, but I'd still hit it.
What happened that he needed the face transplant? Must have been a horrific accident. As for his face now, I certainly hope that is just swelling in his cheeks that will go down later. It doesn't look right. He looks physically uncomfortable to me.
Normally I'd never say this, but CNN should not have allowed comments on this particular story.
why no comments? even if cnn hadn't allowed comments on this – opinions would still be made and readily available throughout the interwebs
you get a big fat FAIL for wanting censorship
What a miracle for him. What courage he has! It has been so long since his surgery I'm sure with time it will heal much more and look even better. God Bless him 😉
WOW!! amazing. I am so curious about this though, but what a time we live in!
Scary looking. Did halloween come early?
Well done Oscar, for all the unbearable, unimaginable pain you have endured, and for finally seeing this huge success. Well done to the brilliant doctors that gave this wonderful man another chance to continue his beautiful life. This is truly a miracle. Oscar, you are a hero, an angel from God, who will receive many rewards in life and in heaven. I think of how we react when we stub a toe, sprain an ankle, or have 1 surgery, and I am in total awe and admiration of your courage. There are millions supporting you, praying for you and loving you. You have touched all our lives. The fact that a minority can be mean and sarcastic saddens me. Don't people know by now that life is unpredictable? That in 1 second, you can lose it all, due to events totally out of your control? That it can definitely happen to you? That no-one chooses to have an accident and become disfigured? Hasn't life shown us enough tragedies? Isn't 2010 about time for us to grow up, and realize that others misfortunes are a cause for love, compassion and prayer? Walk with pride and your head held up high Oscar, you are a beautiful man.
it is a wonderfull story of courage and dedication !
wow, such childish responses.
why would i need assisted suicide? i am not terminally ill, nor am i suffering a great deal.
perhaps you're both assholes.
I pray God blesses this man beyond his wildest dreams!
All i can say is wow. This is why i think modern medicine is so messed up. This is going to far, they should have just let him die insted they made him a freak show. But all you liberals out there are gonna be upset and say stupid stuff like, if it were you or someone you knew..ect, i think i would rather be dead then look like that, and same for someone i knew. To me he is going to suffer his entire life, and he is goin to have major metal issues. The person he see in the mirror is not him, thats gotta be hard.
Still, it's quite likely he's much more literate than you.
agreed
Has nobody blamed Obama for this yet?
Good luck Oscar...
I LOL'd at that comment..BRAVO
I'm reminded of that song "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent
"GOT YOU IN A STRANGLEHOLD BABY AND NOW I CRUSH YOUR FACE"
One thing to consider is that he's still healing. There's still swelling and eventually (hopefully) he'll gain control of the muscles in his new face. This is something that does happen eventually as the nerves make more and more connections. The fact of the matter is that he has a face again. Another thing to consider is that this is the FIRST FULL Face transplant with many more to come. Techniques will be perfected and one day... perhaps you may not even be able to tell if someone received a face transplant. I applaud this gentleman for his bravery in surviving such a life altering accident. And yes, I'm American, not all of us are uneducated, unsympathetic and ignorant children hiding behind anonymity.
YIKES!!! "Ma...get my shot gun"! They should club him like a baby seal, that's disgusting.
It's amazing what medicine has accomplished. This is absolutely amazing. Of course it's a bit shocking to see at first, but think about the endless possibilities that this brings. A modern day miracle!
I want his phone number so I can hit it.
@anvenger206 also anti religion drugs, since God did this to him in the first place.
God DID NOT do this to this man. An accident did. Gotta blame someone don't you!
I think this is an awesome medical miracle. I'm sure as time goes by and swelling recedes that his face will take on a natural look. Some people just look for the physical looks of someone and overlook the very most important part! That is, the beauty underneath it all.
He is brave. Whatever comments made by others in poor taste, those others are just a tiny tiny minority of human beings. Most of us can have great empathy and admiration for Oscar and wish him all the best. Tradgedy can strike any of us at anytime.
@Christy...big hug, beautiful girl...there are several people in the world that society deems facially beautiful however they may not be beautiful on the inside...you seem to be...think positive and always think of yourself as beautiful inside AND out..confidence is usually key. I wish you luck, happiness and love!
Congratulations to the facial transplant recipient..it takes much courage to make this public. I wish him luck, happiness, love and health..this is much more serious than the visual and I hope all continues to go well for him and his family.
In the not too distant future, we could all have designer faces....specially crafted to mix and match the latest fashion....
People are cruel and insensitive until it happens to them or someone they care about. It's natural to react to something different or someone's appearance that isn't quite what the public deems normal. It would be hard not to stare at this person if I saw them in "real life", but I give him so much credit for persevering and living. In a society that is so concerned about looks and appearance, I can't even imagine the emotions this person or any other person that is/was disfigured must go through. I am sure that most, if not all of them just rather have died than have to live with the face they were left with. I am sure the man is still experiencing a lot of swelling that will normalize as time goes on so this is probably not going to be the way they look forever. Even if it is, I am sure the man is thankful for having his life back. For anyone that thinks this guy is a freak or he looks "funny", you probably couldn't live 10 minutes in this guy's shoes. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Congratulations to the surgical team and to the recipient. This is medical science at it's best. This is relatively new technology that will no doubt improve over time – you are pioneers and should be applauded.
Can someone get this man a .......(calling Jenna J). Can't imagine what he's gone through...........Keep fighting the fight mate.
Finally Tony Hayward has a chance of getting his life back. Hmmm Changing the face of the enemy!!!!!!!! What a relief, He will probably be next in line for this one.