A failed suicide had his face transplanted, and a new life began for him

When Andy Sandness was 21, he tried to commit suicide by shooting himself in the mouth. He survived, but was left without a nose, mouth and jaw. Now, ten years later, he has a new chance to find his place in society thanks to a face transplant performed at the Mayo Clinic.

Source: My Modern Met

Andy has been a patient of this clinic since 2006, when an unfortunate incident with a failed suicide occurred. Within a month of that event, Andy underwent eight plastic surgeries. The doctors tried to fix the injuries as best they could, but they couldn't do much because the guy didn't have a mouth and jaw. But in 2012, Andy received news that changed his life.

The clinic was opening a facial transplant program and asked him if he was interested in participating. For Andy Sandness, who was forced to wear a prosthetic nose, grind food and suck it in to eat, this was the most long-awaited moment.

"When you look the way I looked and exist the way I existed, you pounce on even the smallest glimmer of hope. And it was an operation that could make me normal again," says Andy.

To prepare for a complex procedure, doctors at the Mayo Clinic spent 50 Saturdays over three years training. Sandness was signed up for a transplant program in January 2016, and he thought he would have to wait a long time. However, in June 2016, he was told that a donor had been found.

Kahlan "Rudy" Ross, who died at the age of 21, accidentally shot himself with a gun, previously announced his desire to become an organ donor. After some hesitation, his wife, who was then eight months pregnant, agreed to the transplant.

A team of 60 surgeons worked side by side during the operation, which lasted 56 hours. Sandness, who was not allowed to look at himself for three weeks after the face transplant, was shocked by the result. "When you get a second chance to get something you've lost, you never forget about it," Andy shares his impressions.

In December 2016, he underwent surgery again to tighten the skin around his face and neck and increase the bone relief so that his eyes did not seem so sunken. His transformation seems incredible. Sandness can smell and breathe normally again. He can also eat foods such as pizza and apples again, which were previously contraindicated to him.

The new face of Andy, who came to the clinic on January 24, 2017.

The best thing is that he can enjoy anonymity again. Andy recently went to a hockey game. After a decade of sidelong glances and whispers, he became a man of the crowd again.

Andy's at his physical therapist's appointment.

In this photo taken on June 10, 2016, Andy Sandness speaks with his father and Dr. Samir Mardini before surgery. On the eve of a complex procedure, the doctor strongly recommended Andy to think carefully, since such operations have been performed only a couple dozen times around the world and he should be aware of the possible risks and inevitable consequences, such as lifelong use of drugs against tissue rejection.

Andy a few days after the operation. Mirrors were removed from his room and his mobile phone was taken away from him.

Andy a few days after the operation.

The physiotherapist checks the functions of the new face.