A face transplant is a still-experimental procedure to replace all or part of a person's face. They are controversial because they carry heavy risks and are performed to improve a patient's quality of life rather than as a life-saving operation. These are becoming known as socially required surguries. There are also concerns that as the operation becomes more routine and safer it could be used for purely cosmetic purposes or as a means of altering identities.

The world's first partial face transplant on a person occured on November 27, 2005. Each time face transplants have been successful, more and more seems to be attempted. By Dec 2008 the Cleveland Clinic performed the worlds 4th face transplant attempting 80% removal and replacement.

Connie Culp was shot with a shotgun 5 years ago leaving her without a nose, a palate or lower eyelids. In May 2009 the Cleveland Clinic released a set of pictures showing the before and after shots of 42 year old Connies 22 hour face transplant.

Surgeons transplanted about 80 percent of Culp's face using facial tissue from a dead woman that was placed like a mask atop her own. Almost her entire face was replaced, except for the forehead, upper eyelids, lower lip and chin.

The team of 11 surgeons who performed the operation said Culp, who was missing bone support and had been unable to eat or breathe without a tube in her windpipe, could now perform functions normally. But her face was bloated, drooping and her speech was at times difficult to decipher.

Connie has publicly stated she forgives her husband Thomas Culp's lawyer insists the U.S. man shot his wife Connie in the face by accident and hopes to reunite with her when he gets out of prison in 2011. Lets hope he appreciates the new face this time when he gets out.

Source: Cleveland Clinic

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