A Polish woman who was disfigured by a huge facial tumour has revealedhow her face looks now at a press conference.
The woman, identified only as Joanna, underwent Poland’s second ever facial transplant after neurofibromatosis – a genetic condition causing benign tumours – left her unable to chew, talk or swallow.
The press conference is coming almost three years after she had her transplant – and she looked remarkably well with only little scarring to her forehead and neck.
Dr Adam Maciejewski, who performed both Joanna’s surgery as well as the only other facial transplant in Poland, spent 23-hours on the complex transplant.
It involved a transplant of 80 per cent of the skin on her face, giving her the ability to chew, talk or swallow.
Joanna was severely deformed by neurofibromatosis – a genetic condition that causes benign tumours to grow along the nerves.
The condition can also cause bone problems, pressure on the spinal nerves, severe pain, learning disabilities and vision and hearing problems. There is no cure for it, MailOnline reports.
Scroll down to see photos from three years ago right after she got the life changing surgery.
