A man in Michigan, US, can now smile, smell and swallow for the first time in a decade, thanks to a “life-changer”. Face transplant. Derek Pfaff30, underwent the procedure in February, ten years after surviving a self-inflicted gunshot wound that severely damaged his face.
According to a CNN report, Pfaff attempted suicide in March 2014 while home on spring break, but has no memory of the incident. “I don’t remember anything,” he said. “I don’t remember getting the gun, going out, shooting myself or the weeks that followed.”
His father Jerry PuffThe family’s gun cabinet was opened and Derek was found injured in the snow near their garage shortly after 1:30 p.m. Rushed to the hospital, Derek initially believes he was in a car accident after regaining consciousness. The gunshot wound damaged parts of his nose, lips, teeth and forehead, impairing his ability to breathe, chew, swallow, smile and blink, CNN reported.
Pfaff’s injuries make basic tasks like eating solid food or speaking clearly impossible. Despite undergoing 58 reconstructive surgeries, significant damage remained. His mother, Lisa Fife, recalls a doctor telling her, “The only option for Derek is a face transplant.”
The complex, 50-hour operation involved a team of 80 medical professionals and replaced about 85% of Pfaff’s face with donor tissue. Dr. Sameer Mardini, Surgical Director Mayo Clinicof the Reconstructive Transplantation Program, who led the surgery, explained, as quoted by CNN, “With face transplantation, it’s not a life-saving procedure, but it’s a life-giving procedure.”
The surgery involved reconstructing various facial structures, including Faf’s forehead, nose, cheekbones, jaw, eyelids and mouth. Doctors also used a new technique to transplant the donor’s tear drainage system.
A month after the surgery, Pfaff saw his new face for the first time. His mother described the moment: “We turned a really sad, difficult day for Derek into a really joyful experience, and it was just a miracle – a miracle for him to see himself.”
Pfaff continues her recovery with speech therapy and medications to prevent organ rejection. It is working to increase Suicide AwarenessAs quoted by CNN, “The sun will rise tomorrow. You just have to stay positive, no matter what the situation is. Look down.”