Spain's 2nd Face Transplant Recipient

 

Spanish man Rafael  who underwent face transplant surgery has said he feels "joy and happiness" when he sees his new features in a mirror.Appearing in public for the first time since his operation, Rafael thanked all those involved in his transformation, the donor's family and the medical team, at Seville's Hospital Virgen del Rocio.

Rafael with his mother

Rafael embracing his mother Juana at new conference

Rafael and hi nurse

 

Rafael with his Surgeon Tomas Gomez

Two-thirds of Rafael's face was replaced in a 30-hour operation in January because a congenital disease had left him disfigured with benign tumors.Rafael was slowing recovering from the surgery, but doctors said he was already able to feel pain in his face and distinguish between hot and cold.he faced months of rehabilitation in learning to move his tongue again.Dr Tomas Gomez Cia, head of the hospital's plastic surgery unit, said Rafael's reaction to his new face was equally important. "Not only did he not see himself as a monster, but rather he also thought he looked younger," the doctor said. Rafael, who is only the second partial face transplant recipient in Spain, agreed to appear before the media in a hope of encouraging more facial donations. We are so lucky to live in such times as medical science can do all these wonderful things imagine what doctors will be able to do in the next 20-30 years who knows , good luck to the man.