Face Off First Success made in the U.S.

For the first time, the operation change the face (face off) successfully conducted in the United States (U.S.). Connie Culp, 46, face the destroyed ditembak result from a short distance by her husband five years ago, successfully ditransplantasi to face women who have died. Operation is carried out five months ago in the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio.

Yesterday (Tuesday U.S. time) Connie appeared in public after so long concealed identity. When appearing in front of the media, the expression Connie still looks stiff. However, he is smooth talking, smiling, down, and feel the taste of food again. However, the words of Connie still difficult to understand.

Swollen face and box shaped. Skin menggelambir face. Therefore, the team doctor is planning to improve it again after the circulation of blood on his face smooth and sarafnya grow. The''more important at this time is almarhumah families who have helped me with mendonorkan face,''said Connie.

He was told, before Dr Risal Djohan, a plastic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, says do not believe can improve the face. "He gave me that he is not sure whether I can heal. But, he continues to try," he said.

After that, Connie undergo 30 operations to fix the face. Some doctors took the rib to be cheekbone. Then, maxillary bone is made of foot. Skin was taken from the face of thigh skin. Despite that, he was never able to eat solid food, without breathing aids, as well as down.

Then on 10 December 2008 changed fate. A woman who is willing mendonorkan new die face. In operation 22 hours, Dr. Maria Siemionow led the team doctors and replace 80 percent of the face with Connie bones, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessel pedonor. No information about the woman or cause of donor death.

In January, he can eat pizza, chicken, and hamburgers for the first time after the year. He quit the new hospital on February 5, but still consult with your doctor.

Now face away from Connie Horror impression that often make children fear. He let fly a compliment to everyone who does not make a face seseram before. Team doctors estimate, operating cangkok face is the cost of USD 250 thousand-300 thousand USD (about Rp 2.6 billion, Rp 3.2 billion).

In 2004, her husband, Thomas, and then try to shoot face suicide. But, he does not die. Thomas at this time must be confined in prison for seven years. Connie survivors of the shooting, but face destroyed. Hot tin the middle of the hoof face and damage the nose, cheeks, mouth, palate, and left eye. Serpihan shot stick in the face. Therefore, he needs to breathe the lapse. Only the top eyelid, forehead, lips down, and of the chin.