My daughters get totally grossed out when I watch educational medical shows on television. But I am absolutely mesmerized at the marvelous new technologies that can now be done. So many lives have been saved and changed for the better. I don’t mind seeing the blood and gore when I think about how far we have come with medical technology. In centuries past, the “cure” for something as simple as teething could have resulted in an untimely death for the poor infant.
Here’s a case in point: Pascal Coler suffers from von Recklinghausen's disease, also known as neurofibromatosis. This horrible disease left Coler with hideous bulbous tumors that engulfed his eyes, nose, and mouth with boil-encrusted, ulcerated skin. As one can imagine even simple necessities such as eating, seeing, and breathing became a major feat for him. Even after dozens of operations, his appearance was reminiscent of John Merrick, more commonly known as the elephant man.
Thankfully, after a 16-hour operation performed at France’s Henri-Mondor Hospital, Coler has a new face—literally. A full facial transplant from a donor freed Coler from the deformity that plagued him for more than two decades. Now, a year after the surgery and at the ripe old age of 30, Coler can live a normal life, i.e.; get a job, play sports, go on dates—walk down the street without people fainting at the mere sight of him.
France is at the forefront of face transplants—for now. Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass., and Cleveland Clinic, Ohio have both voiced their desire to move ahead with this type of surgery.
If you’re not squeamish here’s some before and after pictures of the amazing work doctors performed on Coler.
