Connie Culp’s Face Transplant – Video Press Conference
Posted on 05. May, 2009 by rubber chicken in Entertainment, News, Video
Ohio resident Connie Culp, a 46-year-old mother of two, was shot in the face by her husband, Tom, in 2004 and left severely disfigured. She had no eyes, barely any mouth, and couldn’t breathe through her nose. Her husband received only a seven-year sentence, while Connie was changed for life.
On December 10, 2008, in a 22-hour procedure, a surgical team from the Cleveland Clinic, led by Dr. Maria Siemionow, gave Connie the first facial transplant in the United States, replacing 80% of her face with bones, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and skin from a donor body. The result is simply amazing. Hers is only the fourth face transplant performed in the world.
In January, Connie was able to eat solid food for the first time since her disfigurement. While her face may look droopy right now, doctors say they will trim the skin and make it more firm as it settles and heals.
Connie and her doctors gave their first press conference today. Watch the video below.
For a more in-depth discussion, read the article in The Huffington Post.
Check out Newsday’s photo gallery for amazing before and after pictures. And watch a fascinating 7 News interview with her during the 2004 trial.
