Connie Culp is a survivor : Face transplant !

Story of Connie CULP

Four years ago, the Hopedale, Ohio, resident was shot in the face by her husband.

For four years, she had no nose. The bony structure that once supported her face was gone, as was most of her face. She could not breathe other than through a tracheotomy, could not smell, could not even drink or eat normally.

This past December, Connie became the first person in the world to receive a full face transplant

Surgeons removed not just the skin, but the bony structures underneath, the nerves, facial muscles, lower eyelids, the palate from a local donor and in a 22 hour surgery attached the donor face to Connie

The facial nerves that they reattached will slowly regenerate, giving her the ability to show emotion. Connie is able to smell and taste again, she can drink coffee from a cup, and breathe from her new nose. Specialists say her pain, which was constant before is nearly gone.

On Tuesday(5 may) she was helped to a podium at the Cleveland Clinic to show the world that the operation was a success.

Watch the video :



Congratulations Connie! shining example of what courage you give us and congratulations to the entire medical team.