First Photo Released of Charla Nash, Face-Transplant Recipient

[Dana]

When you sign up to be an organ donor, you don't get to pick and choose which parts of you they use. Everything is up for grabs, so to speak. I would imagine facial skin is one of the most difficult organs to transplant b/c not only do you have to worry about the normal things (blood type compatibility, rejection risk, etc) but I would think you've also got to look at bone structure and tissue markers for both people to make sure it will all work.

I remember when the attack happened. It was absolutely horrific. That poor woman...I'm so glad she was able to have the transplant.

It was more of a distasteful joke as I'd never heard of a face donor... I didn't even know it was possible. But then again, I don't have a PHD.

 

[purpledove]

Amazing what medical technological advancement can do giving new life after a tragic accident :thumbup

I'm just wondering how many people line up to donate their face :unsure: And if they have a rejection process.

I wonder too. All I have seen harvested in the Operating Room before were major organs, skin, hair, eyes and bones.

 

[itsmeJonB]

But then again, I don't have a PhD*.

Don't worry we already knew that

 

[purpledove]

When you sign up to be an organ donor, you don't get to pick and choose which parts of you they use. Everything is up for grabs, so to speak.

I agree :nod: Also when one is an organ donor it depends on the assessment of the organ harvesting team what organs are appropriate depending on the general health of donor and results of the testing of functionality esp of major organs. I've seen this esp if the donor is in it's vegetative state/comatose and family is ready to pull the life resuscitating plug. Depending also on the hospital, the harvesting team gives a chance to the donor's family and respects the wishes of the bereaved esp when it comes to the donation of skin, eyes, hair which are obviously gone upon completion of harvesting ( i mean when the body is placed in a coffin for viewing, some family still wishes to have their loved one's facial tissues etc intact unless cremation is imminent. ) Bones too some families don't wanna see the bodies without it even if PVC pipes replace the bones after harvesting.

I would imagine facial skin is one of the most difficult organs to transplant b/c not only do you have to worry about the normal things (blood type compatibility, rejection risk, etc) but I would think you've also got to look at bone structure and tissue markers for both people to make sure it will all work

True and her surgery is a long process. She might have gone back and forth in the OR for many times. Not only is one surgical team involved but a team work among all the different services from Plastics, Vascular and I am presuming since her eye area was also heavily distorted that Eye surgical team what have you are also involved. I am glad to see such a great result comparing it to the injured look :thumbup

 

[Natasha]

It was more of a distasteful joke as I'd never heard of a face donor... I didn't even know it was possible. But then again, I don't have a PHD.

I'm actually a little surprised that you've never seen or heard of it before. I mean, they're fairly new as far as medical procedures go (I'd say in the last 5 - 7 years) but they are well publicized when they're successfully completed. The last one I remember before this one was a woman who was shot in the face and was horribly disfigured.

Depending also on the hospital, the harvesting team gives a chance to the donor's family and respects the wishes of the bereaved esp when it comes to the donation of skin, eyes, hair which are obviously gone upon completion of harvesting ( i mean when the body is placed in a coffin for viewing, some family still wishes to have their loved one's facial tissues etc intact unless cremation is imminent. ) Bones too some families don't wanna see the bodies without it even if PVC pipes replace the bones after harvesting.

I have already told my mom that if she goes against my wishes if I pass away before her, I'll come back and haunt her, LOL I want to be cremated anyway, so it won't much matter what they harvest from me.

True and her surgery is a long process. She might have gone back and forth in the OR for many times.

I was just reading about it online and they said that face transplant recipients may have to undergo 50 or more surgeries. WOW!!!

 

[pinkporridge]

You can choose which organs you want to donate here on doctors forms when you register. But I just ticket the box that says take what you want. I won't need them where going. Having said that. I'm not sure if I want to be cremated or buried but if I'm buried I do NOT want an open casket. My family is not religious so they probably wouldn't mind.

 

[porterjack]

amazing what the surgeons have done, she is a brave woman to even show her face after that attack

 

[Abcinthia]

You can choose which organs you want to donate here on doctors forms when you register. But I just ticket the box that says take what you want. I won't need them where going. Having said that. I'm not sure if I want to be cremated or buried but if I'm buried I do NOT want an open casket. My family is not religious so they probably wouldn't mind.

Yeah that's what I did too.


And that's great news for her.

 

[Pumpkin]

When you sign up to be an organ donor, you don't get to pick and choose which parts of you they use. Everything is up for grabs, so to speak.

I am an organ donor but I never really thought about the possibility of my face being used. This may sound incredibly selfish, but I would not want my face donated.

 

[Abcinthia]

I'd happily let my face be donated. It'll just decompose otherwise so if someone else can use it, let them.



If anyone would accept my face is another matter entirely.

 

[BadBoy]

Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Too soon?

 

[porterjack]

Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Too soon?

never too soon:thumbup

 

[hart]

That poor woman. I'm sure hope this transplant isn't rejected. I cannot imagine wanting to live with my face looking like hers did before the transplant.

 

[Natasha]

I'd happily let my face be donated. It'll just decompose otherwise so if someone else can use it, let them.

I absolutely agree. Facial injuries are some of the most horrific injuries out there...and as much as people TRY to be sympathetic, they still have that "OMG" look on their faces when they look at these people's injuries. I have to admit, though, it would be kinda weird to know your family member's face is on someone else now. I know they don't look the same as the donor, but still, it's kinda weird but neat at the same time.

 

[Dana]

I'm actually a little surprised that you've never seen or heard of it before. I mean, they're fairly new as far as medical procedures go (I'd say in the last 5 - 7 years) but they are well publicized when they're successfully completed. The last one I remember before this one was a woman who was shot in the face and was horribly disfigured.

There was this one time. These two dudes traded faces and got into a shoot out oh my God it was bad ass.











































then the movie ended.....

 

[purpledove]

I have already told my mom that if she goes against my wishes if I pass away before her, I'll come back and haunt her LOL

:24: I said the same thing to my family

I want to be cremated anyway, so it won't much matter what they harvest from me

I used to be a donor. After i assisted in harvesting esp when it involved skin and bones- I changed the info at the back of my driv license right away. I guess, I was sort of traumatized when i saw the bones and skin harvested & how the body looked like a butchered animal on the operating table. I know it's selfish of me t this point, I'll change my mind when i'm ready.

I was just reading about it online and they said that face transplant recipients may have to undergo 50 or more surgeries. WOW!!!

A skin grafting and transplant I've seen and how burn patients go back for several times in the OR due to excessive shrinking/wrinkling of the donor skin from lack of vascularization ( lack of blood flow) or darkening of the skin making it no longer a close match to the patient's skin color.

Hence, it makes sense that a facial transplant would take 50+ surgeries given it needs to be as near perfect as possible vs any other body part skin transplant. Also maybe since one of the most intricate part of surgery too is when the blood vessels need re-attaching.....from donor part to recipient--this takes loooong hours. But whoah, 50 surgeries is still a lot :eek

 

[retro]

I used to be a donor. After i assisted in harvesting esp when it involved skin and bones- I changed the info at the back of my driv license right away. I guess, I was sort of traumatized when i saw the bones and skin harvested & how the body looked like a butchered animal on the operating table. I know it's selfish of me t this point, I'll change my mind when i'm ready.

You'll be dead... what the fuck does it matter what your body looks like once you're gone?

 

[purpledove]

You'll be dead... what the fuck does it matter what your body looks like once you're gone?

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