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Face Transplant

Pictures: Results of most extensive face transplant ever

The man who was disfigured in a gun accident says he can now walk past people without a second look seven months after the surgery.

RICHARD LEE NORRIS was injured in a gun accident 15 years ago. The 37-year-old lost his lips, nose and had limited movement of his mouth.

In March this year, he received the most extensive, full face transplant ever .

The 36-hour operation at the University of Maryland Medical Centre included a team of over 150 medical staff who rebuilt his face, including both jaws, nerves, teeth, and tongue.

He received the face from an anonymous donor, whose organs saved five other patients’ lives on the same day.

Norris, who rarely went out after the accident, doing his shopping late at night, says he barely gets a second look now when he goes out and is slowly regaining his speech.

Here is his face transplant story in pictures:

Pictures: Results of most extensive face transplant ever
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  • Face transplant

    Richard Lee Norris on his prom night in 1993. Image UMMS.
  • Face transplant

    Before surgery. Image UMMS.
  • Face transplant

    Face transplant recipient after surgery. Image UMMS.
  • Face transplant

    CT scan before surgery. Image UMMS.
  • Face transplant

    CT scan after surgery. Image UMMS.
  • Face transplant

    Richard Lee Norris 114 days after the transplant. Image UMMC.

Read: US man successfully undergoes world’s most extensive face transplant >

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