Nation’s First Full Face Transplant Recipient Unveils New Look
- Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:21pm by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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BOSTON (The Blaze/AP) — The nation’s first full face transplant recipient said the first thing his young daughter told him when she saw him after the operation was “Daddy, you’re so handsome.”
Dallas Wiens (WEENS), sporting a goatee and dark sunglasses, joined surgeons Monday at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston in his first public appearance since the 15-hour procedure in March:
“It feels natural,” said the 25-year-old Fort Worth, Texas, man, who received a new nose, lips, skin, muscle and nerves from an anonymous donor. The operation was paid for by the U.S. military, which hopes to use findings from the procedure to help soldiers with severe facial wounds.
Wiens’ features were all but burned away and he was left blind after hitting a power line while painting a church in November 2008.
Surgeons said the transplant was not able to restore his sight, and some nerves were so badly damaged from his injury that he will probably have only partial sensation on his left cheek and the left side of his forehead.
In an Associated Press story and a YouTube video last fall, Wiens spoke poignantly about why he wanted a transplant and how he wanted to smile again and feel kisses from his daughter, Scarlette, who turns 4 next month. Face transplants give horribly disfigured people hope of an option other than “looking in the mirror and hating what they see,” he said.
Wiens with his daughter before the accident.
He told the AP that his daughter and his faith have kept him motivated.
The surgery was paid for by the Department of Defense, which gave the hospital a $3.4 million research grant for five transplants.
About a dozen face transplants have been done worldwide, in the U.S., France, Spain and China.
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Comments (69)
ChiefGeorge
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 6:08pmThats right! Puts ones own tedious little problems right out the window! I can only hope he makes a full recovery and is able to move to a point of normalcy for himself and his family.
Report Post »dizzyinthedark
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:47pmI’m always one to hail medical technology if it brings the patient a true quality of life. This is top notch! I‘ve been paying attention to facial transplants for years now and watching how they’ve perfected the technology. This certainly won’t happen with the restrictions of Obamacare! Something to think about.
This man can walk tall and proud! He is a good looking man.
Report Post »mikedy
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:19pmAmazing. He is fortunate to be able to have this surgery; in another year or two, with Obamacare, he would be told “no, not worth it. just take some pills and forget all about it.”
Report Post »eramthgin
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:55pmMoving in the wrong direction. We need to spend the resources in leaning how to turn mast on and allow our bodies to regenerate. A far better solution.
Report Post »nickel1951
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:10pmGod bless this man and his family. It is also nice to see so many supportive comments. Yes, it does make all our problems seem rather minor.
Report Post »Mamma Bear
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:02pmGod Bless this man, his family and his Doctors.
Report Post »SUEB
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:59pmThis is amazing. God Bless this man and his family for their support. He must have gone through alot of issues…Physically and Mentally. He and his family are alot stronger then I could ever be. God be with him.
Report Post »Donald727
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:59pmSomeone once said, “I was sorry for myself wihout shoes until I saw a man with no feet.”
Report Post »Kelly Kafir
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:48pmThis is one operation I don’t mind the gov (read:tax payers) picking up… if we can get this down well enough, there will be a whole lot of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who could benefit from this! I think that this is a good thing…
Report Post »cranberry
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:41pmWat, I think that’s Voldemort! I hope it all works out for him..
Report Post »Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:21pmHis situation makes any ‘problems’ I may have seem so very trivial. God bless him.
Report Post »HellAndBack
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:13pmAnd all done without OBAMACAREless. God Bless him, his family, the doctors, and the U.S.A.!!!!
Report Post »brknhrt
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 7:10pmNot exactly, but the government paid for it. Sort of like Obamacare. If the results help our wounded warriors, I consider it a good use of tax dollars.
Report Post »VectorRector
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:57pmGodspeed on your recovery, Mr. Wiens. I love that the Department of Defense funded this experimental operation. That means this type of procedure will be practiced and become more streamlined, and our injured combat troops will reap the benefit, along with Mr. Wiens and his family. Win-Win.
Report Post »jamesctheman
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:45pmI‘m so amazed at the ability of science to restore a man’s feeling of dignity & to allow him that chance to feel his daughter give him a kiss. This shows you miracles do happen. They’re all around us. We get so caught up in restoring our country we forget to stop & see God’s work. For him not to lose all hope is a miracle in itself. The fact that he is able to regain some normality in his life shows Hope. This is how America works or at least we did at one time. I’d like to see more stories like this. It grounds you & I’m humbled by the strength of this man. God Blessed him.
Report Post »hollowpoint
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:29pmWow! I’m in total amazment! How wonderful for this man and others to follow! And to think I worry about the effects of just aging on my face. I have been humbled for sure. God be with him and God Bless those surgeons!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:20pmGod Bless this family! what a mirale this man survived the initial injury. The trauma stories like this really put our “problems” in perspective! My heart and prayers go out to the continuing recovery of this man and his family
Report Post »We Are Not Alone
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:54pmWell said……
Report Post »LovingAmerica
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:50pmCongratulations to the very skilled doctor and amazing surgical team. You have performed a miracle and deserve acolades for your efforts! Also, Dallas…. You look FABULOUS! Lots of love and best wishes to you, your precious daughter and entire family! God bless…..
Report Post »Eric_The_Red_State
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:43pmAmazing –
Report Post »I will certainly add this to any prayer list -
Warphead
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:35pmThey have a long way to go. Let’s pray for a breakthrough in tissue regeneration. The transplant thing has too many drawbacks. Getting the body to regenerate as opposed to accepting disected parts is much more appealing. rejection isn’t a problem with tissue regeneration. Hopefully we will find a way some day.
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:47pmI agree. Transplant surgury is a bit ghoulish (depending on item taken from the dead) and quite problematic in needing to inhibit the immune system to prevent rejection.
They are learning to grow skin from your own T-cells, they now can make a bladder. In a decade they may be able to do much more. Imagine growing a heart made from your own DNA. THAT will be the technological breakthrough of this century.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:32pmWow. Just….. wow.
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:34pmThat was what I was thinking!
Report Post »sister1_rm
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:31pmWow. I have to agree with nacilbuper. Not much to say. Good for him, he has a face again.
Report Post »NJProud
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:30pmLife is so fragile.
Report Post »Robert-CA
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:28pmOMG Thanks for all the people who made this happen .
Report Post »SallyV
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:28pmWhat a blessing that we still have innovative people, doctors, etc., who have brought medical miracles to this point in our history. This is one example that would never have come to fruitition if Obamacare were in place.
God bless Dallas Wiems and his family for their courage to submit to this surgery and God bless the doctors.
Report Post »smak
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:48pmThe operation was paid for by the U.S. military.
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:25pmI don’t know what to say.
Report Post »and to the republic
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:27pmMan you got that right. Puts our little problems in perspective….WOW
Report Post »PA PATRIOT
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:29pmREPUBLICAN!
Report Post »About Face!
SLARTIBARTFAST
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:31pmGod bless this brave man of Faith, and his loving family as well.
Report Post »drattastic
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:32pmMe either, I feel for the guy
Report Post »Susan Harkins
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:33pm@Nacil,
You sound like a polititian…even with nothing to say, you still make noise(words).
Report Post »Gold Coin & Economic News
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:34pmIt’s things like this that give me a real reality check and puts things in perspective. God bless the surgeons that made this happen.
Report Post »lcam67
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:37pmFAITH…… no one can ever take that away
Report Post »sooner12
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:41pmBless his heart.
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:43pmGod only know what he went through.
Report Post »nacilbuper
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 12:49pmThanks Susan, but I have no words to express what I felt in my heart. That was my point.
Report Post »Dale
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:04pmnacilbuper;
Report Post »“Thanks Susan, but I have no words to express what I felt in my heart. That was my point.”
—————————
Yes, it seems like a perfunctory attack.
smithclar3nc3
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:28pmGod bless him and the talented doctors who are helping him. I hope that someday soon they will be able to give him vision again so he can see his daughter get married and all the wonderful things that so many of us take for granted.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 1:58pmI agree..this puts our problems into a new perspective indeed, mine are very trivial compared to the challenges facing him now.
Report Post »CultureWarriors
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:13pmWell all you can say is best wishes and god bless.
Report Post »Professional Infidel
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:40pmwhat diff to him if he’s blind?? freedom of choice still, frugal me i’d have gone for a mask.
Report Post »chfields62
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 2:50pmJust goes to show that miracles still happen…..
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 3:12pmGod bless him and his family, what a miracle.
Report Post »mibble
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 4:50pmTDallas: I don’t think I can ever say thank you enough for your service. I am in awe of your courage before and after this bombing.
Report Post »snidley-whiplash
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 5:44pmI’m truly happy for the fella and his wondeful doctor.
Report Post »The real question…….would obamacare have taken care of this fella????????????????
Please drop the military (government) from this equation.
TruthLover
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 6:34pmThat’s amazing. Now his daughter can look at him without pity.
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on May 9, 2011 at 9:45pmMiracle do happen using Doctors. God bless all of them.
Report Post »grandma7
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 12:37amGod Is Good!
Report Post »celly37
Posted on May 10, 2011 at 7:06amI am with you! I am a Soldier and I would give my paycheck to fund his surgeries! US MIlitary and surgeons at their finest! I wish him all the luck in the world!
Report Post »