Virginia Man, Face Transplant Patient Recovering Well - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

Virginia Man, Face Transplant Patient Recovering Well

Posted: Updated:
University of Maryland Medical Center via Reuters University of Maryland Medical Center via Reuters

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Virginia man who received a full-face transplant says he is now able to walk past people without a second look.
    
Thirty-seven-year-old Richard Lee Norris of Hillsville, Va. was injured in a gun accident in 1997 and said he rarely left home afterward, shopping at night so he wouldn't be stared at. Now, he is finally coming out of hiding.
    
Norris received the face transplant in a 36-hour operation in March.  It included the replacement of both jaws, teeth, tongue, skin and underlying nerve and muscle tissue from scalp to neck. Norris told The Washington Post he has been doing well and has been regaining his speech, which is improving daily.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.