Face transplant patient uses new lips to smoke

[lindatat]

From the Associated Press:

Updated: 5:41 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2006
TUCSON, Ariz. - The world's first face transplant recipient is using her new lips to take up smoking again, which doctors fear could interfere with her healing and raise the risk of tissue rejection.

"It is a problem," Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard, who led the team that performed the pioneering transplant in France on Nov. 27, acknowledged on Wednesday.

The woman's French surgeons made their first scientific presentation on the partial face transplant at a medical conference here this week.

The news about her smoking came even as American surgeons said that they were growing more comfortable with the French doctors' decision to try the operation and that they hoped to offer such transplants to more patients.

The 38-year-old Frenchwoman received a new nose, chin and lips from a brain-dead donor after being mauled by her dog last spring. The woman has been identified only as Isabelle because of French privacy laws.

The woman suffered a tissue-rejection episode last month but is now doing well, her doctors said. However, they said she has resumed smoking, which besides being bad in general for health is especially a problem after surgery because it impairs circulation to tissues and could raise the risk of rejection.

[DD]

Hmmmmmm

[lindatat]

I could only roll my eyes when I read it

[Johnrudy]

Isn't that sad? That made me think of alcoholics who have had a cirrhotic liver replaced, begin drinking again.

[lindatat]

Isn't that sad? That made me think of alcoholics who have had a cirrhotic liver replaced, begin drinking again.

Well, you know, when her face doesn't heal properly, they'll probably just make her another one.

[Johnrudy]

I have to say, and I'm not proud of it, but I am an ex-smoker. I still struggle with it every day and it's been years & years! It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes, I dream that I'm smoking! Sometimes I miss it but then I know that if I cheated just once, I'd be hooked for who knows how long. Just like other addictions and dependencies. So, I understand her addiction.

[John R]

if i was the doctor that performed the operation, it would be more than a 'problem'. i'd be furious, wondering why i bothered. what is she thinking?


jr

[Ocean Lover]

I have to say, and I'm not proud of it, but I am an ex-smoker. I still struggle with it every day and it's been years & years! It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes, I dream that I'm smoking! Sometimes I miss it but then I know that if I cheated just once, I'd be hooked for who knows how long. Just like other addictions and dependencies. So, I understand her addiction.

My Dad smoked for probably 40 years. He quit last year and still chews nicorette gum all the time. It is sooo hard for him, he says he thinks about it all the time. I just hope ha can kick the gum habit now.

I'm proud of anyone that can stick to it! Way to go JR.

[Beach Crazy]

I quit 4 years ago after smoking for 20 years.

[lindatat]

I have to say, and I'm not proud of it, but I am an ex-smoker. I still struggle with it every day and it's been years & years! It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes, I dream that I'm smoking! Sometimes I miss it but then I know that if I cheated just once, I'd be hooked for who knows how long. Just like other addictions and dependencies. So, I understand her addiction.

I'm also an ex-smoker. I quit over 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant. I suppose that's why I'm such an adamant non-smoker now - I find that ex-smokers for the most part are worse than people who have never smoked when it comes to tolerance of the habit. Maybe I have to be completely and totally disgusted by it to keep myself from ever wanting to indulge again.

[Donna]

Smoking must be the hardest habit to kick. My dad smoked unfiltered Lucky Strikes for about 40 years and died when he was only 66. The saddest people to me are those who have had their voice boxes removed and replaced with the vibrating soundboards, who put a cigarette up to the hole in their throat to inhale the smoke. That has to be a hopeless addiction. Maybe the French lady wanted a new face primarily so she could smoke again.

[lindatat]

Smoking must be the hardest habit to kick. My dad smoked unfiltered Lucky Strikes for about 40 years and died when he was only 66. The saddest people to me are those who have had their voice boxes removed and replaced with the vibrating soundboards, who put a cigarette up to the hole in their throat to inhale the smoke. That has to be a hopeless addiction. Maybe the French lady wanted a new face primarily so she could smoke again.

There was a movie with a scene like that about 10-15 years ago - can't remember the name of it, but it was kind of a "film noir" with Kenneth Branagh and Robin Williams. And that scene just stunned me - I know just what you mean. I've lost several loved ones to lung cancer and it deters me from ever wanting to smoke again.

[audie]

the sad thing is she will probably sue the dr's when it doesn't completely heal up right now.

[Jdarg]

I have to say, and I'm not proud of it, but I am an ex-smoker. I still struggle with it every day and it's been years & years! It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes, I dream that I'm smoking! Sometimes I miss it but then I know that if I cheated just once, I'd be hooked for who knows how long. Just like other addictions and dependencies. So, I understand her addiction.

JR- I know! Quitting is the hardest thing I have ever done too! People that have never smoked do not "get it". Thanks to additives, we were hooked harder and it took more effort to quit. I'm not a militant ex-smoker though. And I love the smell of pipe smoke and pipe tobacco.

[RiverOtter]

From the Associated Press:

Updated: 5:41 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2006
TUCSON, Ariz. - The world's first face transplant recipient is using her new lips to take up smoking again, which doctors fear could interfere with her healing and raise the risk of tissue rejection.


.

Got any pics? Still haven't seen any pics of this lady.

[Johnrudy]

Got any pics? Still haven't seen any pics of this lady.

They've not shown her on tv yet, at least not that I've seen.

[Bob]

I smoked Marlboros for about a year and half, and quit, but I think quitting this message board would be harder.

[RiverOtter]

I smoked Marlboros for about a year and half, and quit, but I think quitting this message board would be harder.

Tru dat!

[Teresa]

well, I feel that all I can say is that it's her face, her body, her decision. But, it would be better if she would wait a while longer to smoke since it could interfere with recovery... I don't think this woman is the sharpest knife in the drawer to begin with. Probably never made good choices in the past, and why would she start now?

[Mermaid]

I'm also an ex-smoker. I quit over 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant. I suppose that's why I'm such an adamant non-smoker now - I find that ex-smokers for the most part are worse than people who have never smoked when it comes to tolerance of the habit. Maybe I have to be completely and totally disgusted by it to keep myself from ever wanting to indulge again.

My story too, though I have a good ten extra years of non-smoking over you! Merman used to smoke heavily too--Marleboro cigs from the time he was 16, more than a pack a day --but when we found out we were going to be parents, that was the end of it. Zero zip nada. I don't even like the smell of cigarette smoke anymore. And yes, it's a difficult addiction to overcome. Though not impossible.

[steele mama]

I quit 4 years ago after smoking for 20 years.

Oh my...you might be older than I thought! No wonder you sound soooo smart!

[steele mama]

well, I feel that all I can say is that it's her face, her body, her decision. But, it would be better if she would wait a while longer to smoke since it could interfere with recovery... I don't think this woman is the sharpest knife in the drawer to begin with. Probably never made good choices in the past, and why would she start now?

It is a sad story. She had taken an overdose to kill herself and her own dog mauled her while she was passed out. She had a history of suicide attemps, I heard.

[Johnrudy]

It is a sad story. She had taken an overdose to kill herself and her own dog mauled her while she was passed out. She had a history of suicide attemps, I heard.

Wow, I never knew that!! So sad.

[peapod1980]

I'm also an ex-smoker. I quit over 8 years ago when I found out I was pregnant. I suppose that's why I'm such an adamant non-smoker now - I find that ex-smokers for the most part are worse than people who have never smoked when it comes to tolerance of the habit. Maybe I have to be completely and totally disgusted by it to keep myself from ever wanting to indulge again.

linda, I think you're absolutely right. Mr. Pod was a heavy smoker for years quit several years ago. He said the key was exactly what you say--he was only able to quit when he constantly reminded himself that there is absolutely no redeeming aspect of smoking. He says when you're approaching quitting with thoughts of everything you'll miss about it, you're in for a rough road.

[Beach Crazy]

Oh my...you might be older than I thought! No wonder you sound soooo smart!

Smart?

Yes Steele Mama, I hit the big 4-0 last year.

[seagrovelover]

How sad for the doc's to go through all that work, have the woman suffer from a terrible experience, and then do something like smoking that could ruin all the progress. I just don't get it

[Teresa]

It is a sad story. She had taken an overdose to kill herself and her own dog mauled her while she was passed out. She had a history of suicide attemps, I heard.

yeah, I remember the story about her overdose and dog - the dog part was really disturbing! but don't know anything else about her. My impression was that she doesn't like herself or her life - don't know...

[Miss Kitty]

yeah, I remember the story about her overdose and dog - the dog part was really disturbing! but don't know anything else about her. My impression was that she doesn't like herself or her life - don't know...

I had never heard the story of why she needed the transplant. Maybe that's why she was chosen as the guinea pig...she seems to have a death wish. The doctor should sew her lips together.

[steele mama]

I had never heard the story of why she needed the transplant. Maybe that's why she was chosen as the guinea pig...she seems to have a death wish. The doctor should sew her lips together.

You did not just say that!

[katie blue]

My mom smoked 2 packs of Trues a day when I was growing up. It seemed the "rebellious" thing to do to NOT join her in that addiction. All my friends were taking up smoking when we were teens, but to me it just seemed like an uncool old-lady thing, and I didn't want anything to do with it. Thank god.

I have a lot of respect for those of you with the strength of mind and perserverence to quit once addicted. I would consider myself addicted to coffee and sugar (cookies, cakes, etc...love 'em!!), and just the thought of having to forego those the rest of my life would be overwhelming, and I'm not sure I'd have the strength. Big ups to those of you who quit or are quitting soon. (Now where's my donut... )

[Sheila]

You did not just say that!

She DID! She typed that right out loud!!!!!!! Actually, you typed what a lot of us ,(MYSELF!), were thinking.

[Teresa]

I wasn't thinking of sewing anyone's lips shut. Eating would be a tad difficult.

But I had considered whether or not she was kind of a "research gig" for the docs. guinea pig. tester-outer. etc. wonder why they decided to give her a new face...

[Mermaid]

I wasn't thinking of sewing anyone's lips shut. Eating would be a tad difficult.

But I had considered whether or not she was kind of a "research gig" for the docs. guinea pig. tester-outer. etc. wonder why they decided to give her a new face...

It seems dreadful to think of it that way, but I was wondering the same thing. After all, you can test results best using the "worst case scenario" and this poor woman certainly fits the bill.

[dbuck]

I wonder if these doctors watch Nip/Tuck. They had a show about a face transplant this year, but it didn't work.

[audie]

Smart?

Yes Steele Mama, I hit the big 4-0 last year.

please let's not talk about the big 4-0, that bomb drops in around 122 days or so

[kathydwells]

please let's not talk about the big 4-0, that bomb drops in around 122 days or so

Oh audie, it really is no big deal. I hit it 4 years ago. I have never been happier or felt better in my life!!!! I love the 40's!!!!!!

[audie]

Oh audie, it really is no big deal. I hit it 4 years ago. I have never been happier or felt better in my life!!!! I love the 40's!!!!!!

i am hoping it won't be bad after i get there, but the anticipation is killing me ! my pop even said something to me about getting old the other night and he nevers says anything like that. this from a man who will be 65 in september !

[Mermaid]

please let's not talk about the big 4-0, that bomb drops in around 122 days or so

Peapod will coach you through it, Audie. She had her big 4-0 last month. As far as I know, she survived.

[audie]

Peapod will coach you through it, Audie. She had her big 4-0 last month. As far as I know, she survived.

here is my plan of attack. we are going to celebrate it while we are in sowal, since we don't come home until 2 days before the actual bomb drops. i think if i have enough food, drink, funn, and sun (and of course sunburn) it will be quick and painless. esp. if i get a convertible i am hoping for - that would make it all better fo so !!!!

[peapod1980]

Peapod will coach you through it, Audie. She had her big 4-0 last month. As far as I know, she survived.

I survived with flying colors! Now that I'm on the other side, I have to say I'm feeling fine.
And now Tootsie is going to put me through her makeover program, so I'll be looking younger and younger as the year goes on...

[Johnrudy]

It's no big deal at all! Now, 80 or 90 might be kinda depressing, but otherwise...

[iwishiwasthere]

here is my plan of attack. we are going to celebrate it while we are in sowal, since we don't come home until 2 days before the actual bomb drops. i think if i have enough food, drink, funn, and sun (and of course sunburn) it will be quick and painless. esp. if i get a convertible i am hoping for - that would make it all better fo so !!!!

May you have better luck than I did....I asked for a Miata and got a mini van ...HUGE difference. I have yet to forgive that poor choice. The sad part is my sweet hubby used my girls as accomplices, so I could not be upset.

[Diane4145]

I would be sooo pissed off if I had been bypassed, when she was chosen for that procedure! We all here about the lengthy process you have to go thru, so what the **** happened? Personally, I think that they should reveal her name now and let her face the onslott! I once had a friend that had a breast reduction and lift procedure and blamed her Dr., for her continued problems in recovery! Though, against Doc's orders, she kept on puffin'!

From the Associated Press:

Updated: 5:41 p.m. ET Jan. 18, 2006
TUCSON, Ariz. - The world's first face transplant recipient is using her new lips to take up smoking again, which doctors fear could interfere with her healing and raise the risk of tissue rejection.

"It is a problem," Dr. Jean-Michel Dubernard, who led the team that performed the pioneering transplant in France on Nov. 27, acknowledged on Wednesday.

The woman's French surgeons made their first scientific presentation on the partial face transplant at a medical conference here this week.

The news about her smoking came even as American surgeons said that they were growing more comfortable with the French doctors' decision to try the operation and that they hoped to offer such transplants to more patients.

The 38-year-old Frenchwoman received a new nose, chin and lips from a brain-dead donor after being mauled by her dog last spring. The woman has been identified only as Isabelle because of French privacy laws.

The woman suffered a tissue-rejection episode last month but is now doing well, her doctors said. However, they said she has resumed smoking, which besides being bad in general for health is especially a problem after surgery because it impairs circulation to tissues and could raise the risk of rejection.

[audie]

May you have better luck than I did....I asked for a Miata and got a mini van ...HUGE difference. I have yet to forgive that poor choice. The sad part is my sweet hubby used my girls as accomplices, so I could not be upset.

i guaran-damn-tee i will get the vehicle that i want - i'll just go up the road to the honda place and say gimme, then when he gets home from work, there'll be my b-day present (and the payment book) waiting for him. i am such a thoughtful wife ain't i ??

[ShallowsNole]

I have to say, and I'm not proud of it, but I am an ex-smoker. I still struggle with it every day and it's been years & years! It has been the hardest thing I have ever done. Sometimes, I dream that I'm smoking! Sometimes I miss it but then I know that if I cheated just once, I'd be hooked for who knows how long. Just like other addictions and dependencies. So, I understand her addiction.

My story too, just like most of you...picked it up in Jr. High School, quit while pregnant, but baby had colic so I started again...finally put them down Memorial Day Weekend 1999, after 22 years,with the help of Zyban, Nicorette, and a drinking straw cut in half with a Kleenex stuck in it (makes a good substitute for something to hold in your hand and your mouth). Occasionally I still think about it...but I know that if I smoke one cigarette, after I quit coughing I'll smoke another, and another, and another. So, I just don't do it, and the urge passes.

Congrats to everyone else here who has won the battle! (Oh, and 40 is a breeze!)

[Teresa]

Oh audie, it really is no big deal. I hit it 4 years ago. I have never been happier or felt better in my life!!!! I love the 40's!!!!!!

you are my exact age!

[kathydwells]

you are my exact age!

And don't you feel great Toosie??? I do!!!! Well, maybe not today, because I have a cold, but in general I feel great to be ummmm.....44!!!!!!!!

[Teresa]

please let's not talk about the big 4-0, that bomb drops in around 122 days or so

30 was harder for me than 40. when I was growing up I thought 30 was old meat. but once I got to 40, I realized that it is all relative. Sheryl Crowe turned 40 and said that 40 is the new 30, and it's really true. Women are having babies at 40 (I did), and have so much to look forward to in the years to come... it's not all down hill until much much later, if at all.

celebrate!!!

[Teresa]

And don't you feel great Toosie??? I do!!!! Well, maybe not today, because I have a cold, but in general I feel great to be ummmm.....44!!!!!!!!

si, senora, I feel wonderful. going to get my hair "done" at 3:00 and I'll be looking great too...

[kathydwells]

si, senora, I feel wonderful. going to get my hair "done" at 3:00 and I'll be looking great too...

Have a great "hair" day. That alway's makes me feel better. Just for someone else to wash my hair for a change. And my friend that does my hair, does a great scalp massage while she is washing it. It feels so good!!!!