One Year Later, Youngest Face Transplant Patient Is on the Road to a Normal Life
A 21-year-old woman is probably the youngest person to have undergone a full face transplant, according to a new report from National Geographic and an accompanying documentary, Katie’s Face, which follows the medical journey of Katie Stubblefield, who at 18 attempted suicide with a gun. Though she survived the attempt, her face was destroyed. But last year, doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio offered Katie the chance at a new life, with a completely new face. “I had no clue what a face transplant was,” Katie told National Geographic. “When my parents helped explain everything to me, I was very excited to get a face again and to have function again.” On July 18, 2017, Stubblefield received a full facial transplant. “Knowing this patient now has the opportunity to live a functional life because of her face transplant is the greatest reward,” Brian Gastman, who was part of the surgical team, said at the time. “With a new nose, lips, palate, eyelids and jaw, she now has the full opportunity to re-integrate into society and have a future just like any other young adult. This surgery can give her back the self-esteem and confidence she lost.” Doctors hope the success of Katie’s transplant might be able to help illuminate ways to help wounded veterans in the future.
READ IT AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
###
https://www.thedailybeast.com/one-year-later-youngest-face-transplant-patient-is-on-the-road-to-a-normal-life?ref=home
