Face transplant allows patient to smile again

A man has come out of 15 years of hiding after a groundbreaking transplant operation gave him the confidence to face the world again.

Richard Norris, 37, has worn a mask outdoors ever since he was shot in the face in 1997. He lost his nose, lips and most of the movement in his mouth in the attack.

Through the years he underwent many reconstructive operations, but none left him confident enough to reveal his face.

Last week, doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine completed a trailblazing procedure that left him with a new face. The operation was made possible when an anonymous donor left his face to the hospital.

Six days after the surgery, doctors said Norris could already move his toungue and open and close his eyes. But the biggest change for Norris came when he looked in a mirror for the first time.

Several face transplants have been undertaken before, in Forth Worth, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts. By many accounts, Norris' has been the most successful aesthetically. He is also the first patient to retain his vision.

Norris still has use of his facial expressions and movements. Doctors gave him a new tongue for proper speech, eating and chewing. They also aligned his teeth and connected his nerves allowing him to smile.

About 100 doctors, scientists and other university staff were involved in the operation.