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Facial transplant surgery still evolving

Facial transplant surgery still evolving


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SALT LAKE CITY -- For the first time, the public is getting a look at Charla Nash's new face.

She is the woman who survived a violent attack by a chimpanzee in 2009 and just a few months ago received a full face transplant.

While some of the images might be disturbing, no one can deny her transformation is nothing short of remarkable.

Briana Nash, Charla daughter, said, "For her to make an expression -- it's just nice that her body language can express how she feels."

Charla will remain blind, but she has regained the ability to smell.

In February 2009 a friend's pet chimpanzee turned on Nash. Police shot and killed the animal, but most of her face and hands were ripped off in the attack.

She expressed her gratitude in a written statement saying, "I will no longer be disfigured. I will be able to kiss and hug loved ones."

Nash isn't the first person to get a face transplant. In 2005 Isabelle Dinoire of France was the first person in the world to have a partial face transplant. Dinoire lost most of her nose, lips and chin when she was mauled by her dog.

A more complete face transplant surgery took place in Ohio in 2008 for Connie Culp. She became disfigured after her husband shot her in the face in a failed murder - suicide attempt.

Culp had nearly 80 percent of her face replaced.

All three cases are quite different - from the extent of the injuries before the transplant to the way the women look after the surgery. Face transplant surgery is still a relatively new procedure and it's still evolving.

Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Steven Mobley joined us to talk about these types of procedures. Play the video to see the interview.

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